I recently replaced my SWG - Jandy Aquapure 1400. I had some issues at first but everything has been running nicely for a week or so. I set the salt level to 50% per the instructions. Chlorine has been in the 1 -2 range per my Taylor test kit. I added some shock yesterday and boosted the SWG. Chlorine hasn't moved much. Should I move the salt level up to 70% - 80% for a few days? The pool is large (35k to 40k gallons). I just started taking care of it myself. I don't think the pool company ever had it quite right. My test readings are considerably different than theirs every time. Any guidance is much appreciated. Thanks!
SWG Not Producing Enough Chlorine
- Thread starter lodi
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,045
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
An FC of 1-2 ppm is too low right now. It would also be ideal to know your current CYA level. If your CYA is low, that could explain why you can't maintain a good FC level. However a full set of water test results would be advisable for us to confirm. Also tell us how your water looks at the moment (green, cloudy, crystal clear, etc).
Once you reply with testing, if we find that your chemical levels are okay, I would be more concerned with the early signs of an algae outbreak which might explain the FC demand (and current low FC reading) you are seeing. I would recommend you use liquid chlorine or regular bleach to increase the FC to about 6-8 ppm for today then initiate an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test this evening. Make sure the SWG is off when you do the OCLT and review that page carefully. If you pass the OCLT, then you can further evaluate your SWG's performance and settings. But if you fail the OCLT, then you know a SLAM Process is required because no SWG is going to be able to kill algae that is growing in the water.
Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.
Once you reply with testing, if we find that your chemical levels are okay, I would be more concerned with the early signs of an algae outbreak which might explain the FC demand (and current low FC reading) you are seeing. I would recommend you use liquid chlorine or regular bleach to increase the FC to about 6-8 ppm for today then initiate an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test this evening. Make sure the SWG is off when you do the OCLT and review that page carefully. If you pass the OCLT, then you can further evaluate your SWG's performance and settings. But if you fail the OCLT, then you know a SLAM Process is required because no SWG is going to be able to kill algae that is growing in the water.
Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.
I have the same SWCG. That model is rated for a 40K gallon pool, which means it’ll support a 40K gallon pool if set at 100% generation level and you run the pump 24 hours a day. This is why folks on this board recommend getting a SWCG that’s rated for twice your pool size if possible.
One other important point - a SWCG is there to help you maintain a chlorine level, but not so much for raising it. Not that it can’t raise chlorine, but the typical method is to get your chlorine to the desired level and then set the SWCG % and pump run time to maintain that chlorine level.
What’s your CYA? A CYA at 70 or 80 will help minimize chlorine loss from the sun, which in turn helps the SWCG not work as hard.
In short, get your CYA to 70 or 80, get your FC level to 5 ppm, set the Aquapure at 100%, and run your pump for at least 16 hours a day and see if the pool will hold 5 ppm. If not, increase the pump run time. Assuming you have a variable speed pump, you can always drop the pump speed to lower electricity usage.
One other important point - a SWCG is there to help you maintain a chlorine level, but not so much for raising it. Not that it can’t raise chlorine, but the typical method is to get your chlorine to the desired level and then set the SWCG % and pump run time to maintain that chlorine level.
What’s your CYA? A CYA at 70 or 80 will help minimize chlorine loss from the sun, which in turn helps the SWCG not work as hard.
In short, get your CYA to 70 or 80, get your FC level to 5 ppm, set the Aquapure at 100%, and run your pump for at least 16 hours a day and see if the pool will hold 5 ppm. If not, increase the pump run time. Assuming you have a variable speed pump, you can always drop the pump speed to lower electricity usage.
Lodi,
Just to make sure we are all on the same page.. The salt cell does not make salt, it makes chlorine, using the salt that is in your pool.
Your cell is about half the size that we recommend. I suspect that you will need to run it at 100%, and for a lot longer than you think, in order to make the amount of chlorine your pool needs.
The amount of CYA (stabilizer) in your water also makes a huge difference in how much chlorine is needed.
I suspect that your pool company has just been adding chlorine all along.
How long do you run your pump?
What FC (Free Chlorine) level are you trying to maintain?
What is your Current CYA level??
Do you have an autocover?
Thanks,
Jim R.
Just to make sure we are all on the same page.. The salt cell does not make salt, it makes chlorine, using the salt that is in your pool.
Your cell is about half the size that we recommend. I suspect that you will need to run it at 100%, and for a lot longer than you think, in order to make the amount of chlorine your pool needs.
The amount of CYA (stabilizer) in your water also makes a huge difference in how much chlorine is needed.
I suspect that your pool company has just been adding chlorine all along.
How long do you run your pump?
What FC (Free Chlorine) level are you trying to maintain?
What is your Current CYA level??
Do you have an autocover?
Thanks,
Jim R.