Surprised by high salt test

[SixOwls]

Hello. I am in process of converting the pool that I have had for 12 years to a salt pool. It is a simple rectangle pool and I have calculated a few ways that pool should near 28,700 gal. Yesterday morning I added 760 pounds of salt. I tested last night and today with the Taylor salt kit (just got it a few weeks ago and bottles are still good on expiration date) and am getting surprisingly high readings 4600-4800 ppm. I turned on the salt generator today and it is reading about 4100 ppm.
I was wondering what might be throwing off the readings before I start diluting the salt concentration? Am I still able to run the salt cell without damaging anything but it just runs less efficient?
The salt system is brand new and is also reading 7.27 amps.
FC 5.5
PH 7.4
Cya 60
Temp 72F
Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

I was wondering what might be throwing off the readings

SWGs and our own salt testing are often off by anywhere form 200 - 400 ppm. Very common. Cell readings are a bit finicky, but as long as they cell operates we go with the flow. As for your elevated salt level, well, that's something we caution all pool owners about. Liquid chlorine has salt, so over the years your salt level is elevated without adding a single bag. That's part of the TFP argument about builders who don't like salt pools. Ha.

All you can do now is exchange a little water if needed to lower the salt level. You're on the high end, so I'm not sure if that's a problem for the Hayward models. It's definitely putting out some amps which is a good thing.

 

[PoolStored]

I was wondering what might be throwing off the readings before I start diluting the salt concentration?

If you were using liquid chlorine, it adds salt. You already had salt in the pool. We always recommend testing salt levels before adding more. Many are surprised at the salt content of a liquid chlorine pool.

Am I still able to run the salt cell without damaging anything but it just runs less efficient?

Yes, as long as you don't get a high salt error. Then you will have to dilute.

 

[JamesW]

The salt system is brand new and is also reading 7.27 amps.

Temp 72F

High salt trips at 8.0 amps.

As the water warms up, the amps will also go up.

Once the water gets over about 82 degrees, the amps will go over 8.0.

You should begin to dilute now to avoid a problem.