What did I just do, plugging it in backwards?

[DeptOfMeteors]

What's wrong w/this picture? As you can see, it seems it's in backwards. I could have sworn that this was the direction it was in last year (i.e. when I bought the house) but it's as if it was never in the right way.
One thing that might be important: I haven't been able to get any salt into the pool yet, so it has no salt to work w/. Also, according to Did I install my SWG cell backwards? some SWGs don't mind being put in backwards.

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

Your cell will not work unless the flow switch is closed. It has to have water flowing into the side with the flow switch.

Installing it backwards will not hurt it, it will just not work.

It will also not work without salt. I do not recommend it even being turned on, unless you have salt in the water.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jeffchap]

FYI, if you like it in that orientation for some reason, you can take the flow sensor out and reverse it. I did that with mine because it was mounted vertically and the direction of the flow would have required it to be mounted upside down otherwise. It must have been this pool builder's first SWG install. I don't know, it was already here when we bought the house.

 

[JamesW]

Check the arrows on the flow switch.

Maybe the flow switch is in backwards.

I haven't been able to get any salt into the pool yet, so it has no salt to work w/.

Do NOT add salt until you measure the actual salinity.

 

[DeptOfMeteors]

I see from the video that the cable needs to be cut for this procedure. Looking at it here, it doesn't appear that's what's happened. I'm starting to think that whatever reason I had to be sure I was connecting it right in May, I was just wrong. So I just gotta reverse it.
As for running it w/out salt: I've run it for a good 100 hours already, maybe 200, with little or no salt and while it was powered on. What trouble have I set myself up for doing that?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Just turn it around ... but look inside and check the flow switch. Since you had it in backwards it's possible that the metal armature on which the magnet rests got bent too far in the wrong direction. That could cause the flow switch to not close. Just look at it when you remove the cell, it will be somewhat obvious.

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

There is no reason to turn the flow switch at all. Just take the whole cell out and turn it around.

Running without salt just does not make any sense. In theory it should not work, as the system will have failed the salt tests, but who knows for sure.

At this point it does not matter. Just add the salt and see what happens.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Oly]

Don't assume you know what your salt level is now, before you add (perhaps) way too much salt.
Get a K-1766 salt test kit.

 

[DeptOfMeteors]

That's another thing. I ordered a TF-Pro which I thought had the ability to perform the test. Here's an excerpt from the invoice: 1 - TF-Pro *Salt with SmartStir-for pools with SWG @ $170.00. But I don't see how I can use what I got to perform tests.

 

[Oly]

The two reagents for the salt test are:
R-0630
R-0718
If you have those and a SpeedStir you are in business to test your current salt level.

 

[JamesW]

I see from the video that the cable needs to be cut for this procedure.

That's for replacing the flow switch.

I was just showing what it looked like.

 

[DeptOfMeteors]

The two reagents for the salt test are:
R-0630
R-0718
If you have those and a SpeedStir you are in business to test your current salt level.

I do, indeed, have those reagents, but whycome no instructions on how to use them?

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

My TF-pro salt came with a separate card that had printed instructions.

You can always use this one...

Salt Test (Taylor K-1766 or TF Salt Test Kit)

PROCEDURE: CAREFULLY READ AND FOLLOW PRECAUTIONS ON REAGENT LABELS. KEEP REAGENTS AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

For 1 drop = 200 ppm Sodium Chloride

1. Rinse and fill the plain graduated cylinder to 10 mL mark with water to be tested.

2. Add 1 drop R-0630 Chromate Indicator. Swirl to mix. Sample should turn yellow.

3. Add R-0718 Silver Nitrate Reagent dropwise, swirling and counting after each drop, until color changes from yellow to a milky salmon (brick) red. Always hold bottle in vertical position. NOTE: Do not add enough R-0718 Silver Nitrate Reagent to give a brown color. First change from yellow to a milky salmon (brick) red is the endpoint.

4. Multiply drops of R-0718 Silver Nitrate Reagent by 200. Record as parts per million (ppm) salt as sodium chloride (salt water).


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[DeptOfMeteors]

Great, thanks! There were only 3 sheets in mine. One is encased in plastic and has the directions for various tests, then another 2 that were more about the finer points of handling and care.

 

[JamesW]