SWG dying?

[EnWIV]

Hi all, new to TFP.

I have a T-CELL-9 Hayward generator that has been giving me problems this summer - the salt concentration runs falsely low even after washing the cell/recalibrating. I had someone doing pool maintenance on a weekly basis, but they weren't doing a very good job and told me to just keep adding salt. Well when I got new people to do the maintenance they tested the salt level to be 5000+. I have since gotten my own AquaChek salt test strips and it says the salt concentration is 3750-4100, but the Aquarite reading keeps dropping to around 2000 and therefore stops generating chlorine. I cleaned it with muriatic acid around 1 week ago and it made no difference.

I bought this house one year ago, and have no idea how old the SWG is. The other diagnostics (voltage, amperage) seem to be within normal limits when it's generating. Do I just need to replace the cell at this point?

Measurements from today:
FC 2.8
PH 8.0
TA 130
CH 220
CYA 0

Thanks. And sorry if this has been answered before.

 

[JamesW]

What are the first 4 of the cell's serial number?

What are the diagnostic readings?

 

[EnWIV]

First 4 numbers are 3E13

Diagnostic numbers pool temp 87, voltage 27.6 (when running) and 33.0 (when off), amperage 3.8

 

[JamesW]

The 13 means made in 2013. 5 years is typical for cell life.

Check all diagnostic readings, then turn off cell and and turn back on and recheck all diagnostic readings.

Report all readings.

 

[EnWIV]

Temp 86, voltage 28.4, amperage 3.35

turned off/back on

after about 5 minutes - temp 86, voltage 28.1, amperage 3.95

 

[JamesW]

Can you post all diagnostic readings?

All numbers when pressing the button?

 

[EnWIV]

Instant salt level reads falsely low - around 2000
program code AL-0
revision r 1.59
cell size t-9

 

[JamesW]

Ok, I think that it's time for a new cell.

 

[jagnpackfan]

It does sound like your SWG is dying. Not sure of your location, but some pool stores can check cells to see if they are running properly, although they can't determine remaining life expectancy.

 

[EnWIV]

Okay well that sucks.

Thanks for your help though!