Hayward Aquarite S3

Hayward Aquarite S3

Hayward Aquarite Models

As of 2023, Hayward has three Aquarite models:

• Aquarite - the basic system with a control panel and SWG cell
• Aquarite S3 combines the SWG with the ability to control a heater and a variable-speed pump via the on-unit display. It can be upgraded to S3 Omni if desired.
• Aquarite S3 Omni - all the Aquarite S3 features, complete control of virtually any pool feature, and gives you remote app control.

Hayward OmniLogic, Hayward OmniPL, and Omni Hub automation panels can also control Aquarite cells and have bundles with the Aquarite cell included.

Aquarite S3 models do not have Load Centers, while the OmniLogic and OmniPL do.

AquaRite S3 Technical Training Guide.

Aquarite S3 Features

• Can generate chlorine using a broad range of salt concentrations from 1200 PPM to 8000 PPM
• Can control and schedule a Hayward Variable Speed (VSP) pump using the internal RS-485 connection, a Pentair VSP using a Hayward HLPMPCONV converter (sold separately), or a single speed pump using a Hayward Smart Relay (sold separately)
• Can control a gas heater, heat pump, or any other heater that uses a low voltage on/off remote connection (requires Hayward water temperature sensor sold separately)
• Inputs for water and air temperature sensors (temperature sensors sold separately)
• Connection for flow switch used to detect water flow (flow switch sold separately)
• Connection for pool cover detection (lowers chlorine production when the pool is covered)
• Can be powered by either 115 or 230 VAC
• Offers recirculation freeze control, which turns on the filter pump automatically to prevent freezing (requires Hayward air temperature sensor sold separately)

Aquarite S3 PCB Layout

The Aquarite S3 PCB layout is different than the Aquarite SWG. It does not have some of the components that have been troublesome in the Aquarite like the thermistor and the K1 and K2 relays.

Aquarite S3 Cells

The Aquarite S3 only supports the "S3" family of cells. Hayward older model T-cells or clone cells will not work with the system.

Aquarite S3 Messages

Inspect Cell

Message occurs every 500 hours. Press OK to dismiss the message and reset the cell.

Cell Exhausted

Cell has operated beyond its service life and requires replacement.

Cell Missing

Cell cable is unplugged or damaged, or the connector is damaged.

Invalid Cell

• The attached cell is not compatible with the chlorinator
• Defective S3 cell
• Can test using an S3 cell or S3 cell cable to determine if it is the mainboard or a truly unauthenticated cell.

Output won’t go above 20%

Cell temperature is 60F or below

Output won’t turn on

• Cell temperature is below 50F or above 120F
• Chlorinator is disabled
• Insufficient water flow
• Filter pump not on. If S3 is configured to operate a filter pump, then the pump must be shown as running for chlorination to start.
• Flow switch not connected or defective.

Freeze Protect

• Allows equipment to continue running when entering freeze protection.
• Super chlorinate will pause during freeze protect
• If the system is in freeze protection, manual setting changes will require disabling freeze protection.
• A faulty AIR temperature sensor can trigger Freeze Protection.

Date and Time Not Persistent

Replace Coil Cell Battery

Firmware Won't Appear

• USB drive must be FAT32 format
• Firmware files must be in the root directory
• Must be less than 32 files on the USB drive
• Some USB drives may not be compatible.

“No USB drive found”

• Incompatible USB drive
• Not FAT32
• Navigated through menus too fast
• It takes many seconds for the system to detect and load the USB drive.
• Navigate back to the home screen, then back to the firmware update
• If that doesn’t work try another USB drive

Aquarite S3 Diagnostics

Diagnostics are displayed on the S3 screen.

Chlorinator Diagnostics

Diagnostic	Description
CELL TEMP	Internal temperature of the T Cell. Used to scale back output for high and low water temperatures
INSTANT SALT	Instant Salt is displayed and measured only while chlorinating.
AVERAGE SALT	Running average of instant salt readings. At initial startup will show a seed value of 2800 ppm.
CELL CURRENT	T-Cell type and output % dependent
CELL TYPE	Only supports “S3” family of T Cells
RELAY POL.	Indicates relay polarity and used to show status such as “No Flow” and “Off”.
CELL VOLTAGE	T-Cell type, salinity and output % dependent
+Change Pol -Reset Salt	+ Initiates a polarity change that may take minutes. -Forces the average salt to the instant salt value.

Maximum amps is dependent on the number of plates and plate size in the cell.

Cell Current

Cell Type	100% Current
TCELLS315	3 A
TCELLS318	4.5 A
TCELLS325	5 A
TCELLS340	6 A

Cleaning the S3 Cell

Hayward recommends cleaning the cell if there is visible calcium scale using a solution comprised of 4 parts water to 1-part Muriatic Acid. Always Add Acid to Water. The Hayward Cell Cleaning Stand (GLX-CELLSTAND) can be used as you carefully pour the solution into the cell until it reaches the top of the plates.

TFP recommends acid cleaning of SWGs as a last resort after you have tried cleaning the scale using other, less damaging, methods described in How to Clean a SWG Cell.