Full Answer
How does a salt water chlorinator work?
How Does a Salt Water Chlorinator Work? Salt water chlorinators, also known as salt chlorine generators, salt chlorinators, and salt cells, are salt pool cleaning systems that turn dissolved salts into chlorine through electrolysis. The resulting chlorine gas is then used to sanitize the pool, keeping it bacteria-free and algae-free.
How does a chlorine generator work?
The chlorine generator (also known as salt cell, salt generator, salt chlorinator or SWG) uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt (NaCl) to produce chlorine gas (Cl2) or its dissolved forms -hypochlorous acid (HClO) / sodium hypochlorite (NaClO)- which is the sanitizing agent already commonly used in swimming pools.
What is a pool chlorinator?
Pool chlorinators are nifty little devices that automatically maintain the chlorine levels in your pool with minimal intervention on your part. While they cost a little bit more than manually adding chlorine to your pool, pool chlorinators will never scratch their head and say “oops, I forgot to add the chlorine now we have an algae bloom problem.”
Why is my salt chlorinator cell not working?
The first thing when it comes to dealing with a salt chlorinator cell that is not working is to identify the problem. Below are a few tell-tale signs of a dysfunctional unit. An LED signal indicating cell damage or overdue maintenance session. When the flow monitor indicates “NO FLOW” in spite of water moving through the cell.
How do I know if my chlorinator cell is working?
1:252:22Tip 3 - How to check if your salt cell is working - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat we're doing here and we turn it on is we're looking for bubbles or a fizzing. Effect. Once weMoreWhat we're doing here and we turn it on is we're looking for bubbles or a fizzing. Effect. Once we see the bubbles. And the fizzing. We know that it's actually working.
How does a pool chlorinator cell work?
Saltwater Chlorinators use an electrolytic cell to sanitise your swimming pool. By adding a small amount of salt (sodium chloride) to your pool water, the cell converts the chloride contained in the saltwater into chlorine. This is an extremely efficient and cost-effective method of sanitising your pool.
How long does a chlorinator cell last?
The control board sends an electrical charge to the cell, and electrolysis occurs, which produces chlorine. Eventually the metallic coating on the cells erodes, requiring the cell to be replaced. A well maintained cell will last 3–7 years at an average replacement cost of $700–$1100.
What is chlorinator cell?
The chlorinator cell consists of parallel titanium plates coated with ruthenium and iridium (precious metals from the platinum group of metals). The control box sends a safe electrical DC charge to the cell. As pool water passes through the salt cell, the salt in the water is turned into Hypochlorous acid.
What percentage should my salt cell be set at?
We suggest you start your salt chlorine generator at 50 percent output and run it for a couple of days, then check the chlorine level. In a balanced pool, a good chlorine level is 1-3 parts per million. If your chlorine levels are low, you can raise the percentage, and if it's high you can lower the percentage.
How long does it take a salt cell to make chlorine?
If you have your system set on 50% capacity and your pool pump is set to run 8 hours per day, then your salt cell will produce chlorine for 50% of that time – or 4 hours.
Can a chlorinator cell be repaired?
Most chlorinators can be repaired but some items or types of damage are simply too expensive or unavailable, in these cases a replacement option will be recommended.
How do I know if my salt cell needs replacing?
That said, here are solid indications the salt cell likely needs cleaning, repair, or replacement:The power center displays a Check Salt message. ... The Cell Warning light displays consistently, shutting off for only a short while after cleaning.The voltage is higher than normal.More items...
How can I tell if my salt cell is bad?
If the salt cell bubbles, but only a little bit, then you probably have a bad cell. It is still a good idea to call a pool professional to confirm this diagnosis. If the salt cell bubbles vigorously, then it is working fine.
How often do you clean chlorinator cell?
roughly once every 6 monthsEven if the chlorinator is self-cleaning, the cell still needs to be cleaned roughly once every 6 months (more often in hard water areas). Many of these intelligent units advise you when it is time to clean the cell and warn about the low salt level in the pool water as well.
What voltage does a chlorinator cell use?
Most units use between 6.2 Volts dc and 9.2 Volts ac and operate between 10 and 30 Amps. To control the operation of the cell – i.e., provide switching, water flow monitoring, gas sensing, etc.
How do I clean my chlorinator cell?
Cleaning Your Salt Chlorinator Cell: Unplug the cell terminal cap and remove the cell from it's housing. Immerse the cell in the cleaning solution in a study plastic container ensuring that the terminals stay dry. Leave it in the solution for 10-15 minutes then check if all calcium deposits have been removed.
How do you clean a salt chlorinator cell?
Cleaning Your Salt Chlorinator Cell: Unplug the cell terminal cap and remove the cell from it's housing. Immerse the cell in the cleaning solution in a study plastic container ensuring that the terminals stay dry. Leave it in the solution for 10-15 minutes then check if all calcium deposits have been removed.
How do salt cells work?
Salt cells work by transforming sodium chloride (aka table salt) into chlorine. Salt cells work through a process known as electrolysis. Since salt water has an electrical charge, it splits the salt molecules and produces chlorine.
Does a chlorinator consume salt?
In reality, the chlorinator does not consume salt since the chlorine produced recombines into salt under the action of UV light. All you will have to do is add salt once a year, at the beginning of the season. There is always a small loss of salt due to filter washing, splashes and leaks from the pool.
Does a chlorinator have a motor?
Such appliances have an electric motor in them, which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. However, a power surge, voltage spike or excessive current such as lightning strike can cause the motor to burn out and stop working.
How does a saltwater chlorinator work?
A saltwater chlorinator consists of two parts, the control box and the salt cell. As the water passes through the salt cell, the control box sends a safe electrical pulse to the salt cell, breaking down the salt in the water into Hypochlorous Acid. Now don’t be scared of having “acid” in your pool. This is the exact same thing that happens to chlorine when it dissolves in water. This process is all automated through the control box and as long as your salt levels are adequate, then it’s pretty hands-off from there.
What is a pool chlorinator?
Pool chlorinators are nifty little devices that automatically maintain the chlorine levels in your pool with minimal intervention on your part. While they cost a little bit more than manually adding chlorine to your pool, pool chlorinators will never scratch their head and say “oops, I forgot to add the chlorine now we have an algae bloom problem.”.
What is automatic pool chlorinator?
These are very convenient devices that feed chlorine to the filtered water before it is jetted out into the pool. Since these automatic pool chlorinators add the chlorine when the water is on the way back to the pool, you’re reducing chlorine corrosion of your pump and filter system.
What are the different types of pool chlorinators?
Types of Pool Chlorinators. There are three main types of pool chlorinators: dispensers which are basically vessels in which you put in chlorine pucks, automatic pool chlorinators, which are attachments to your filter system that doses the pool with chlorine at a set amount and interval, and salt water chlorinators, ...
Why use salt water chlorinator?
Another plus to having a saltwater chlorinator is that the water is less harsh on the skin and has less of that “pool water smell” than using traditional chlorine pucks or chlorine solutions.
Do chlorine pucks float around pools?
These are fairly simple devices, pretty much just a housing for chlorine pucks and they float around your pool providing a constant stream of chlorine to your pool water. They're relatively cheap and they practically last forever. A downside to these floating dispensers is if they get stuck at a corner somewhere and you’ll end up with one area of your pool being heavily chlorinated, but if you have an adequate pump system then it really shouldn’t be a big issue.
Can you refill a chlorinator with chlorine?
While this is convenient , you have to take extra care when refilling the chlorinator with chlorine. The chamber where the chlorine is stored is sealed and when you open it for refilling, you might get a face full of chlorine gas, which is not only unpleasant but it can cause irritation if you’re sensitive to it.
How does a pool chlorinator work?
They continuously release chlorine and bromine into the pool water at different rates. When adding chlorine to your pool, be careful, and ensure you use diluted chlorine. Pure chlorine is quite harsh to both the pool and users.
How to sanitize a pool with chlorine?
All you have to do is fill them with chlorine and bromine tablets that are dissolvable. Afterward, turn the automatic pool chlorinator. Then, allow it to release the sanitizing agents at a specific rate. Different automatic pool chlorinators have different rates of functioning. So, consult your pool contractor and purchase a pool chlorinator that suits all your needs.
How do pool owners use appliances?
Pool owners use these appliances in their pool by connecting them to the pool pumps. They incorporate electricity to create a substance known as sodium hypochlorite from salt. The substance is not as harsh as chlorine and sanitizes pools virtually.
Can you add chlorine to a pool?
You can add chlorine into a pool using an automated system or by yourself. Putting a chunk of chlor ine into your filter manually is cheap but consumes a lot of time. Also, you have to keep monitoring the pool to ensure the pool chemistry is okay. So, a swimming pool chlorinator is useful to most pool owners.
Do automatic pool chlorinators release chlorine?
They continuously release chlorine and bromine into the pool water at different rates. Fortunately, there is a broad spectrum of automatic pool chlorinators to choose from today. But before buying one, ensure you identify all your pool needs and size.
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.
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 become eroded?
This usually leads to problems like PCB electric failure and disconnection of plates. 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.
How do salt cells work?
Salt cells work by transforming sodium chloride (aka table salt) into chlorine. Salt cells work through a process known as electrolysis. Since salt water has an electrical charge, it splits the salt molecules and produces chlorine.
How to alter chlorine levels?
It is easier to alter chlorine levels—it’s as simple as pressing a button. Water has a softer feel and is easier on skin, swimsuits, hair, and other materials. Reduced chlorine smell. A salt cell offers even distribution of chlorine whenever the pump is turned on.
What is a salt cell?
A salt cell, or salt generator, is used for a salt water pool and is responsible for generating chlorine. Salt water pools still rely on chlorine to sanitize water, but chlorine is added differently than it is with a traditional chlorinated pool.
How does a salt cell reduce life?
There are two things that greatly reduce the life expectancy of a salt cell: cleaning it too much or cleaning it improperly. The chlorinator cell creates chlorine, a process that naturally leads to scaling on metallic grids. If this buildup continues without maintenance, it’ll decrease the performance of the salt cell.
What are the components of a salt cell?
A salt cell includes two main components: The cell—responsible for turning salt into chlorine. The control board—gives you control over chlorine levels.
How do water and metal work together?
These two parts work together, starting with water moving through the cell and over blades covered in a naturally occurring metal, such as ruthenium or iridium. These metals are charged by the control board because it produces electricity.
How often should salt cells be looked over?
Salt cells should be looked over at least once every three months, looking for things like excess buildup of calcium on blades (this needs to be cleaned asap!).
