SWG failing/failed

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eco-help

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Bronze Supporter
Apr 4, 2014
209
Tampa, Florida
Several things here. A Summary:
1. My current SWG is faulty. Minimum Cell replacement required. Unit installed 2014 (what else has failed or soon will?)
2. PH goes up like crazy and CYA goes down really fast too (Florida, evaporation or something else?)
3. Due to 2 I am thinking use of Chlorinating Pucks (the ones that increase CYA might be a better way to go than SWG)
4. I dislike the taste of the salt. I absolutely taste it and avoid swimming.. but my wife is fine with it and she is the main swimme
Here is a bit more info:
Info from display (sorry maybe out of order)
2900 (but that ends up being 2200 or less)
89
27
4.23
100P
-1600 (depends see below)
AL-0
r 1.59
t-15

1) SWG flashes Check salt/ clean.. I did all that and ended up taking SWG Cell to Pinch-A-Penny for testing. They stated the cell failed (showed me the Hayward tester showing FAIL)
To game the SWG I was able to do the calibration (switch to off, switch on-wait for click, press button till I get to -salt reading and immediately move switch to Super Chlorinate then auto.. that works for a few hours and then the flashing check salt/clean shows up again and the reading is below minimum.
Being that the whole SWG was installed in 2014 my concern is that either I might also need a new board (or something else) is near failing.. is it better to just replace the T-15 cell cross-fingers or is there som further testing I can do?

typical prices are :
$679 T-15 + tax 4 yrs warranty cell + board costs if needed)
$389.99 PCB
$165.99 display PCB
$100 Flow switch

Is there a way to test or know if the board is ok/failing? If I add up the costs I am near the price of a new system?

2. I am using quite a bit of Muriatic Acid and salt. I find it inconvenient and a bit difficult to store (damages metal?). I am (weekly) adding stabilizer.
3. So is it possible/practical just to go with pucks and add salt for the feel? Mind you I did try the pucks but that resulted In a green pool. I do think I could make it work.... ( I have ordered TF-100)
4. I read a post here stating some SWG's require less salt, maybe it is time to switch the SWG or I could do 3 and just add a bit of salt for the "silky" feel

I really appreciate advice on this.
 
You will need a new cell. Your board is the most current revision (r1.59) and appears to be working fine. The low salt systems usually appear in cooler climates like Canada. The T-15 cell you listed is the Extended Cell model and that is pretty much the going price.
 
Have you tested the salt independently of the device? I would never trust the device to be all that accurate if I were making decisions or changes based on that. The Taylor Salt Test K-1766 will give you a good reading. Your device may be lying to you?

With frequent rains in Florida, we've heard folks say they often have to drain a bit off the pool frequently. If you are doing that- That is where your CYA is going. Again, assuming you are testing accurately?

How *do* you test??

Your cell appears to be sized correctly so it isn't that its undersized and shouldn't have died from use......do you clean it often? Doing that when its truly not needed will greatly shorten its lifespan.

What are your chem levels?
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA

knowing those we may be able to spot a problem and see why your pH goes up so fast.

Maddie :flower:
 
It looks like you only need to replace the cell, all of your other items that you are listing for the SWG are fine at the moment and there isn't any need to think about replacing them.

You need to start testing your water with your TF-100 and post the results. Hopefully you ordered the salt test Maddie suggested.

The pH increase rate is most likely due to too high of TA but we will find out once we get the test results.

I don't trust store testing, CYA is the test that is most unreliable if that is the way you are getting the CYA level. If you are needing to replace CYA as often as you are reporting, then the salt level should be lowering just as fast.
 
YippeeSkippy said:
Have you tested the salt independently of the device? I would never trust the device to be all that accurate if I were making decisions or changes based on that. The Taylor Salt Test K-1766 will give you a good reading. Your device may be lying to you?

With frequent rains in Florida, we've heard folks say they often have to drain a bit off the pool frequently. If you are doing that- That is where your CYA is going. Again, assuming you are testing accurately?

How *do* you test??

Your cell appears to be sized correctly so it isn't that its undersized and shouldn't have died from use......do you clean it often? Doing that when its truly not needed will greatly shorten its lifespan.

What are your chem levels?
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA

knowing those we may be able to spot a problem and see why your pH goes up so fast.

Maddie :flower:
Click to expand...
thank you so much!
I test using two pinch-a-penny stores in almost a double blind test ;)I know what everyone is saying but since2014 or so I have only had a few algae issues and it’s been on me(lazy mostly, this time dead cell and stupidity thinking I could eek out the pucks using less, saved a few $ there but oh my on the chlorine to SLAM)
I do have stains and the black spots on my pool but hoping this SLAM when I receive t-100 takes care of it
I clean when the light flashes it was bought 2014 is that not a good life on standard cell?
Should I get standard or extended life? It’s a bit more $
I don’t have the levels on hand but will post asap
I would only drain in really bad summer rains usually not though in short order it is back to right level
I do lose salt and CYA adding weekly or just a little longer
 
eco-help said:
thank you so much!
I test using two pinch-a-penny stores in almost a double blind test ;)I know what everyone is saying but since2014 or so I have only had a few algae issues and it’s been on me(lazy mostly, this time dead cell and stupidity thinking I could eek out the pucks using less, saved a few $ there but oh my on the chlorine to SLAM)
I do have stains and the black spots on my pool but hoping this SLAM when I receive t-100 takes care of it
I clean when the light flashes it was bought 2014 is that not a good life on standard cell?
Should I get standard or extended life? It’s a bit more $
I don’t have the levels on hand but will post asap
I would only drain in really bad summer rains usually not though in short order it is back to right level
I do lose salt and CYA adding weekly or just a little longer
Click to expand...
Sent you pm
 

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Personally, for the price I would buy the extended life cell for the extended warranty. All of the other cells only have a one year warranty.

The extended life cells should last longer than the other cells as the coatings on them are thicker than the one year cells.

Only clean a cell if it has calcium buildup on the plates, otherwise you are just reducing the life span of the cell by removing the coatings on the plates.

To get 6-7 years of life out of a cell is very good.
 
wireform said:
On top of page on the blue blue banner there is a menu bar in the very left corner. Click the menu bar and then to the right you will see an envelope. Hit that...
Click to expand...
There isn't a PM waiting for me :( envelope is same color (blue) as the banner. uggg I am happy to share my email address but don't want to run foul of any forum rules.
Is it that I am a "new" member with few postings that I don't receive PM's? Send again? I dunno :(
 
So (trying to get more input) I spoke to pool tech (I am waiting for email quotes) - said since the Goldline was bought in 2014 it's kinda old.. instead of paying $600 for the T-15 he recommends replacing the whole thing with Jandy which has a 3yr warranty vs just the cell's warranty.
Any thoughts on this?
(He also said the single speed pumps "he sells" are very quiet... alrighty then)
 
I would stay with the AquaRite and get the extended cell for half the price and just as long of warranty if not a year longer. I've seen the extended cell with four and three year warranties depending on the web page that you find.

If you switch pumps I'd look into a VS pump.
 
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eco-help said:
...
I clean when the light flashes it was bought 2014 is that not a good life on standard cell?
Should I get standard or extended life? It’s a bit more $
...
/QUOTE]
Click to expand...
I agree with the others. get an extended life cell, and I would stay with the Aquarite. Its a simple matter to swap out the new cell. as opposed to replumbing a whole different system. If you got 6 or 7 years from your cell you are doing good. Many get not much more than 5 years. I lucked out and got more than 9 on my first cell. And I have been using the same controller for almost 15 years.
 
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