The easiest way to ascertain if the chlorinator is working is to make sure the cell is clean by checking the needle or production lights. Ensure there is enough salt in the pool. On the chlorinator box there should be a light or dial that indicates it is working.
How do I know if my chlorinator is working?
Test the water that water has just left the chlorinator - it should have a very high chlorine reading. (Remember that if it is extremely high it may bleach the test tablet so you may have to dilute the water you are testing). If there is no chlorine reading, the chlorinator will not be working.
How do I know if my pool has chlorine?
The second way of checking is to look at your cell housing (if it is visible, as not all are). The action of the brine passing over the cell creates gaseous activity. If the water is clear, it’s not creating chlorine. The water passing over the cell should be cloudy.
What are the most common problems with a pool chlorinator?
With few moving parts and only a single manual adjustment, most problems with pool chlorinators are limited to water flow issues. Dissolving the chlorine tablets relies on water flowing in the correct direction through the canister.
How does a pool chlorinator work?
The flow of water into the canister is controlled by a dial on the top or side of the chlorinator. Turning up the water flow dissolves the tablets faster, increasing the concentration of chlorine in the pool.
How to clear a chlorinator valve?
What are the two types of chlorinators in a pool?
How to get air out of a chlorinator?
What is the dial setting on a pool chlorinator?
What happens if you reverse a chlorine hose?
What to check for when a chlorinator leaks?
Can you install inline chlorinators in line with other pool equipment?
See more
What will happen if the chlorinator is not working?
When the saltwater chlorinator fails, it cannot produce enough chlorine to meet the swimming pool needs. This can result in the pool water turning dirty, leading to poor sanitation, algae formation, and corrosion in parts of the pool.
How long does it take for a chlorinator to work?
The chlorine generator should be left running long enough to produce the amount of chlorine needed to sanitize the pool daily. On average, this takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on the pool size, type of saltwater generator, and the output level the chlorine generator has been set to.
How do I know if my chlorinator is clogged?
3:314:13Pool Chlorinator Clog FIX! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what you should hear once you un do it when you turn off the pump and you actually take the lidMoreAnd what you should hear once you un do it when you turn off the pump and you actually take the lid off you should hear a suction sound so i'm gonna let you listen to that. Here.
How long should a pool chlorinator last?
about five yearsThis is all possible thanks to your pool's salt chlorine generator cell. With proper care, a cell will last about five years. Eventually, though, it will need to be replaced. The trick is, it's not always easy to know when it's time.
How do you know if a salt cell is not working?
What Are Some Signs That Your Salt Cell May Need Replacing?Looking worse for wear, it's lost a few plates and the acid baths just aren't working.Your pool is starting to turn green or cloudy, even though your chlorinator is turned up to 100%.More items...•
How do I turn on my pool chlorinator?
0:081:08How to Operate your Hayward Chlorinator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOpen the top lid of the chlorinator by depressing the locking tab and by turning the coverMoreOpen the top lid of the chlorinator by depressing the locking tab and by turning the cover counterclockwise.
Why is there no water in my chlorinator?
The most common reason for low or no flow is that the baskets are full of debris. By checking and emptying both the skimmer basket (by the pool) and the pump basket (inside the pump) will free up the water flow, allowing the system to fully 'prime' and function at full capacity.
How do you unclog a chlorinator?
0:091:01How to Unclog a Tablet Chlorinator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also escort a water hose down the chlorinator to help clear out the blockage the tabs.MoreYou can also escort a water hose down the chlorinator to help clear out the blockage the tabs.
Why is my automatic chlorinator not working?
A very low water level in the canister indicates the presence of air. Restarting the pump with the lid removed and allowing the canister to fill with water and purge the air may restore flow through the system. After the canister fills with water, the lid should be reinstalled.
What should my chlorinator be set at?
To make your salt water chlorinator last, you'll need to perform regular maintenance on it just as you do every other part of your pool. Try to maintain a consistent salt level of between 2,700 parts per million (ppm) and 3,400 ppm, with 3,200 ppm being ideal.
How long do chlorine tablets last in chlorinator?
Properly stored chlorine tablets should last three to five years. The storage site should be cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as in a basement.
How long after adding salt can I turn on chlorinator?
After all of the salt is added to the pool we recommend using a brush and pole to encourage mixing and absorption for at least 20-30 minutes. After you feel that most of the salt is dissolved you can turn your pump and filter system on but at this time don't turn your chlorine generator on.
How many hours a day should I run my chlorinator?
Your pool system including chlorine generator should be operated often enough to completely turn your pool water over at least every 12 hours or twice a day.
Why is my salt water pool not producing chlorine?
Salinity. Chlorine generators need salt to produce chlorine and can't do so if the amount of salt in the water is too low. The desired salinity level in a saltwater pool is between 2,500 and 3,500 ppm. Get a salt-testing kit from a pool supplier and check to make sure that the levels are within this range.
How long should I run super chlorinate?
The pump and filter system should be allowed to run for at least 24 hours after the superchlorination process has been initiated.
How to tell if a chlorinator is working?
The easiest way to ascertain if the chlorinator is working is to make sure the cell is clean by checking the needle or production lights. Ensure there is enough salt in the pool. On the chlorinator box there should be a light or dial that indicates it is working.
What happens if you don't have a chlorinator?
If there is no chlorine reading, the chlorinator will not be working. If you have been dosing with chlorine you won’t know.
What happens when salt water passes through a salt cell?
The action of brine (salty water) passing through the salt cell causes electrosis which in layman’s terms creates liquid chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite) that is then returned to the pool via the eyeball.
Does less salt mean less chlorine?
Remember less salt = less chlorine. So, check your salt level first. There are other methods of checking which are more involved; however, we believe these two tests will give you a fairly good indication. If you believe your chlorinator is not working after performing these tests, either contact the manufacturer for help, or, ...
Does brine create chlorine?
The action of the brine passing over the cell creates gaseous activity. If the water is clear, it’s not creating chlorine. The water passing over the cell should be cloudy. There has got to be an action – assuming there is enough salt in the pool. Remember less salt = less chlorine. So, check your salt level first.
What happens if you reverse a chlorinator?
If the chlorinator was inadvertently installed with these hoses reversed, the injection process that dissolves the chlorine will not function , reveals Inyo Pools.
What causes an air lock in a pool pump?
Air Locks. Air that has entered the system elsewhere, usually through a leaky O-ring in the pump, may be trapped in the chlorinator canister and cause an air lock. This will become evident by unscrewing the canister lid with the pool pump turned off. A very low water level in the canister indicates the presence of air.
How to get chlorine tablets to dissolve faster?
Turning up the water flow dissolves the tablets faster, increasing the concentration of chlorine in the pool. If the chlorine dissolves too slowly to adequately chlorinate the pool, turning the adjustment dial to a higher water flow may alleviate the problem.
What does it mean when the water level is low in a water pump?
A very low water level in the canister indicates the presence of air. Restarting the pump with the lid removed and allowing the canister to fill with water and purge the air may restore flow through the system. After the canister fills with water, the lid should be reinstalled.
How to restore water flow in a jet?
Inserting the bent end of a paper clip into the jets to clear the blockage may restore water flow. An accumulation of calcium and other hard water deposits inside the canister can restrict circulation in and out of the canister and contribute to slow-dissolving tablets.
How many different types of automatic chlorinators are there?
There are two different types of automatic chlorinators, inline and offline. Both cost about the same, and work much the same, as well. The big difference is how they are installed. To find out which one is right for you, we’ve included a bunch of details below. If you have a salt water pool, check out my guide on salt water chlorine generators.
What is an inline chlorinator?
An inline chlorinator is plumbed into the PVC pipe. Water passes through the chlorinator, dissolving some of the chlorine tablets and dispersing the appropriate amount needed into the water. For inline chlorinators, you will want to have this hard plumbed in when your pool is constructed or during a pool renovation so that getting to the PVC for cutting is not a huge undertaking.
Why do you need an automatic pool chlorinator?
It’s important to remember that while an automatic pool chlorinator is a bit of a financial investment, in the long run, it will save you a ton of time on pool maintenance and allow you to spend more time enjoying your fresh, perfectly balanced pool.
How much chlorine should I use for a pool?
It is essential to keep your chlorine levels between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million to maintain a clean and well-balanced swim environment.
Can you use a chlorine stick in an automatic pool?
For an automatic pool chlorinator, you will most likely want to use a chlorine tablet or stick as these need to be changed less frequently than liquid chlorine, giving you more time between upkeep. It is also worthy to note a chlorine tablet on your hands may cause a reaction and be unpleasant in general.
Is automatic chlorine good for pool?
Pros and Cons of Automatic Chlorinators. Of course, you can always take the time to go around your pool and add chlorine tablets along the edges. But an automatic pool chlorinator is a much easier way to go about ensuring the sanitary needs of your pool. There are a few pros and cons to using automatic pool chlorinators, ...
Can you use an offline pool chlorinator?
If you already have an existing pool and massive construction isn’t an option, then an offline pool chlorinator is the option you want to go. With an offline chlorinator, you will not need to cut a piece of the pipe. Instead, you will only need to put small holes in the PVC plumbing. An offline chlorinator is a good option when there is little room left to install the chlorinator.
What are the problems with salt chlorinator cells?
2. High salt concentrations in water. When the plates within the salt cell are exposed to high concentrations of the free ions, they tend to become eroded. This seriously compromised the effectiveness of the entire unit. 3. Poor maintenance practice. Salt chlorinator cells are the most overworked of the entire system.
What happens if you leave a salt cell on?
If they are too high, you risk damaging the system. If they are too low, you are probably dealing with a salt cell that is already damaged. 4. Turn off the salt cell during the winter. At low temperatures, the system is not effective and leaving it on might cause damage especially to the electrical parts. For more information on how temperature ...
What causes a salt cell to fail?
Below are 3 of the most common causes of failure in the salt cell’s function. 1. Wear and tear due to continuous use. This usually leads to problems like PCB electric failure and disconnection of plates. 2. High salt concentrations in water.
How to fix salt cells that don't work?
Below are a few tips on how to deal with salt cells that don’t work. 1. Replace or repair damaged units immediately when problems are identified. 2. Replace the entire unit every once in a while. More often than not, a well maintained and high quality system should offer decent service for up to 5 years. 3.
Why is it important to run regular maintenance on a hot tub?
It is also super important to ensure that you run regular and thorough maintenance on the entire system as a way to avoid some of the problems that cause malfunctioning. That way, you will have a system that functions optimally for happy pool and spa (hot tub) users.
How to change the chlorine in a salt cell?
First, you should turn off the pump. Unplug the chlorine generator, the salt cell from the chlorine generator, and all the necessary valves. 2. Then grip the ride-side collar of the salt cell using water pump pliers. Loosen it rotating towards yourself until its hand is tight, and repeat it on the left side. 3.
How to tell if your salt cell is bad?
Signs that your salt cell is bad is when your pool turns green or cloudy, the chlorinator keeps displaying a “low salt” warning. And lastly, if the chlorine level drops, that results in unbalanced water.
How to make salt cell?
Combine one gallon of water with 1/4 gallon of muriatic acid. Then coil the few wires around the salt cell and submerge it into the water solution. 6. Let the salt cell soak for several minutes and pull the cell out of the solution. Then rinse it off with a high-pressure garden hose.
Why do salt chlorinators have a fuse?
Many salt chlorinators have a fuse inside the cabinet designed to blow if there is a power overload or a lightning strike. Water Flow – there is a certain amount of water flow that a salt cell needs, so it will work effectively.
Why do you need to clean salt cells?
Salt Cell – needs to be cleaned regularly to remove the calcium deposits, which makes the slower of the water flow. Plus, it will bridge the gap between those metal plates that prevent the electrolysis from happening. When cleaning the salt cell, you can give it an acid bath that consists of 90% water to 10% acid.
What is a backwash hose?
Backwash Hose When it comes to pool maintenance, you can expect that a pool filter plays a vital role in removing all the contaminants from going back to the pool. Because of this, you need to...
How long does a chlorine generator last?
Typically, a salt cell may last from 3 to 6 years, but you need to double-check it with the manufacturer. Replacement of salt cells may cost $200 to $900 but still depends on your ...
How to clear a chlorinator valve?
To clear the valve, first, remove the chlorinator lid. Using tongs, remove the chlorine tablets from the canister. Next, using tongs, remove any sludge or debris at the bottom of the chlorinator. Finally, remove the screen and hose it down with water.
What are the two types of chlorinators in a pool?
Before we begin, let’s make sure you know which type of chlorinator you have. There are two different types of chlorinators: inline and offline . The main difference between the two types of chlorinators is how you install it.
How to get air out of a chlorinator?
First, turn your pump off and remove the chlorinator lid. Low water in the canister indicates the presence of air. Next, restart the pump while the lid is off and allow water to fill the canister. As the water rises, it will push the air out of the system. Once the water fills the chlorinator, you can reinstall your lid.
What is the dial setting on a pool chlorinator?
Depending on the model, the dial setting ranges from 1 to 10. To increase the amount of chlorine that enters your pool, make sure you set the dial to 10, or the maximum.
What happens if you reverse a chlorine hose?
However, if you reverse the hoses, the injection process that dissolves the chlorine will not function. Look for directional arrows on the hoses showing the correct installation direction.
What to check for when a chlorinator leaks?
Whenever you have a leak, the first places you want to check are the gaskets and O-rings. The O-ring on the inside of the chlorinator can become brittle over time.
Can you install inline chlorinators in line with other pool equipment?
On the other hand, you install inline chlorinators in line with your other pool equipment. This is a more permanent installation option and removes the need for additional tubing. There are no true benefits of installing one over the other. Truthfully, it depends on your current pool setup and what you have space for.
