Back in 2019 I installed a Purline T15 salt cell along with a new Aqua Rite PC board. I’m pretty sure the salt cell is working fine. Salt reading on the Aqua Rite display matches the salt reading I get with a Taylor salt test kit = 3200. However, when my pump turns on each morning the Aqua Rite display shows a low salt error with the inspect cell and no flow lights on. I have to manually switch the Aqua Rite from Auto to Off and then back to Auto again to get the system working again. It works fine the whole time until the next day. Seem like the issue only happens on startup.
As a side note, I recently had a variable speed pump installed and it seems like this low salt issue starting happening around the same time. Not sure if the two things are related or not. Finally, I can no longer calibrate the salt level by going from Auto to Off and then back to Auto again. The unit clicks off and then clicks on immediately. There’s no 5 to 10 second lag anymore between clicks.
Anybody have any ideas ?
Thanks,
ALEX
Hi Alex, I’ll try to give you a couple of suggestions and/or my thoughts on what the issue might be.
The “Low Salt” error could just be a relic from residual power in the chlorinator when the pump (and chlorinator) power is shut down. The variable-speed motors tend to shut off quickly and the salt cell shuts down much slower. Another cause would be if the salt cell is still powered on (and your flow switch is still indicating that there is flow) when the motor is shut down since that will deplete the salt in the water by the cell as it continues to try to generate chlorine with no flow. Note that it is dangerous to run the salt cell with no water flow.
The flow switches do an excellent job, but they sometimes need to be replaced. Be sure the switch is mounted properly and is “pointed” in the correct direction and not pointing off to the side. The “no flow” issue could be that the flow is too low for it to click on reliably or it may just be a little sticky. Don’t forget that a “No Flow” light is a normal part of the system starting up.
Calibration: Don’t forget that you have to have the display showing the salt level when you want to calibrate it, and it may not “allow” itself to be calibrated if it thinks there is an issue. Check the AquaRite Troubleshooting Manual for more information. Always rely on another test method for an accurate salt reading and not the display, since the cells will start to read a lower salt level as they approach their end-of-life.
Please keep us updated!
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Another cause would be if the salt cell is still powered on (and your flow switch is still indicating that there is flow) when the motor is shut down since that will deplete the salt in the water by the cell as it continues to try to generate chlorine with no flow. Note that it is dangerous to run the salt cell with no water flow.
Yes, this is exactly what my problem was. They wired the new variable speed motor directly to my old Intermatic timer box and took off the trippers. The salt cell was constantly on even after the new motor turned off. I put the trippers back on to match when the new motor comes on and turns off and now the salt cell is working fine. And also, I had a sLo error on the Aqua Rite display which I thought was a low salt error, but apparently it’s something else.
Yikes! I’m glad to hear that you solved the problem, and thank you for the update!