Cleaning a Pentair iChlor Salt Cell: A Step by Step Video Guide
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- One thing you will learn if you have a pool with a Salt Water System otherwise known as a Salt Water generator is that over time the salt cell can get calcium build-up on it. Depending on your area this could range from a slight amount of calcium to a large amount. The Pentair iChlor is no exception and once the salt level light starts to flash red it is time to remove the cell and inspect the plates inside for any calcium build-up.
It is important to note that when the cell does get dirty it will stop producing chlorine. This is important because if you're not paying attention and checking your salt system weekly, the chlorine in your pool could reach zero ppm and the water quality can deteriorate quickly. I recommend checking your salt system every few days to make sure the dirty cell warning light is not flashing red.
Cleaning the iChlor is easy and all you need is the Pentair Salt Cell cleaning cap. It is known as the Pentair 520670 IntelliChlor Acid Washing Kit. The kit comes with basically a cap and an O-ring that you would simply thread on to one end of the salt cell.
Before you begin it is important to turn the power off to the pump so that when you remove the salt cell the pump will remain off for the entire cleaning process. You also want to turn the power off to the salt cell or simply unplug the cell by unscrewing the pin type plug from the power unit or automated system. Once you have the power off to both the pool pump and the salt cell, you can unthread the cell from the pipe and then start the cleaning process.
The acid to water ratio will vary depending on how dirty the salt cell is. I like using a 4 to 1 ratio in most cases which means one-part water and 4 parts acid. You can also do a 3 to 1 ratio or 1-part water to 3 parts acid if needed. I prefer using 31% Muriatic Acid to clean the salt cells on my route, but you can also use a weaker percentage and even White Vinegar if you want. It will just work slower than the 31% Muriatic Acid. Typically, I soak the salt cell in the water acid mixture for 10-15 minutes. You can use a partially filled acid gallon bottle with a small amount of acid on the bottom of the gallon and submerge it into the pool to fill it with water to reach the 3 to 1 or 4 to 1 ratio.
At this point, gloves would be recommended. You will pour this acid water mixture directly into the iChlor Salt cell with the Pentair 520670 Acid Wash Kit on the bottom. Brace the iChlor cell somewhere as it is a little top heavy and could tip over. Then simply wait for 10-15 for all of the bubblings to stop. Warning! If you see no calcium build up on the cell do not pour the acid mix in as this could damage the cell plates. If they are clean there is no need for an acid bath.
Once done, you can pour the acid from the cell in a container and dump it back into the pool. Then just put the cell back on, plug it back in and turn on the power to the system. Once the cell boots up you should see that the clean cell indicator has stopped flashing. Your iChlor is now clean and functioning properly.
Here is more on the iChlor Salt System:
Easy Setup:
Adjust your sanitizing level in 1% increments from
1-100%. Push the button, and you’re done.
Smart Design:
Automatic reverse cycling helps prevent scale
build-up. And, unlike its competitors, the electronics
are isolated in the cell and away from high-heat
components for more dependable performance.
Two Model Sizes:
Choose from two model sizes to meet your pool
chlorination needs. Sizing is based on pool capacity
in gallons:
Available Models:
• iChlor 15 (0.6) for pools up to 15,000 gallons.
• iChlor 30 (1.0) for pools up to 30,000 gallons.
Fact Center
• Indoor/outdoor, vertical/horizontal installation.
• 115/230V, 50/60Hz power center.
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Recommend adding the acid to the water, vice water to acid. Safety first, safety always.
Whats better the Intellichlor or the Ichlor. I'm hearing bad reviews of the Ichlor not lasting or flowing properly with variable speed pumps.
I think the 2019 batch had some bad flow sensors. But that was fixed in 2020. Check the box for the year made as there are still 2019 models floating around - the iChlor .
@@SPL I had a sensor go bad that was installed 2019. Luckily I still had 3 months left on my warranty and was replaced by Pentair at no cost.
FYI, scale is typically calcium or magnesium carbonate. When you add the muriatic acid (aka hydrochloric acid), it's liberating carbon dioxide as a gas and you're left with water and calcium chloride. In other words, 2HCl + CaCO3 -> CaCl2 + CO2 (g) + H2O. So the bubbling is carbon dioxide.
Thanks for the chemistry lesson. Makes sense. 👍
I forgot to say....thanks for the video!! :)
Yep
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING IS EXACTLY HOW TO DO THIS. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT ❤❤❤❤
I put the cell in a bucket with the cap on, some people don’t like discolored concrete from the acid. Cheers!
Smart. 👍
Funny story! Just did 1/2 acid/water soak with DIY cap - basically threaded union glued to flat plastic cover from coffee creamer. Once I lifted it up the glue came loose and splashed acid all over the place including my body and my face. I quickly jumped into the pool. No issues whatsoever, not even a slightest burn.
Would recommend the OEM cap probably for the next cleaning. Glad you survived! 😜👍
Just saw this. DO NOT use a 50/50 mix you will damage the cell. Ask me how I know. Only use 1/4.
Hi, I have an IChlor 30, after cleaning the cells (not the first time I do this) the status light keeps flashing green and tye display says Cell. How can I fix this?
You might have too much salt in the pool.
@@SPL The salt level read 3010
My one union is stuck! Help!
My display says cell after cleaning what’s this mean ?? Thank you
That means the cell is bad
Or it needs to be cleaned better
I have an ichlor 30 and can’t seem to find the acid cleaning kit anywhere. Does anyone know where I can purchase one for the model I have?
You can buy this one on AMZ: ATIE Pool Acid Washing Stand GLX-CELLSTAND/520670 IntelliChlor Acid Washing Kit
My cell won't display anything AT ALL. It is getting power, and everything at the powercenter IS FINE. Could dirt/calcification cause the cell to appear dead? If so, ill try this....
Maybe check the fuse in the power center
Good video. Pentair recommends that the ichlor be installed in the vertical plane. do you have any experience with this?
I've seen it installed both ways without issues. Most of the salt cells on my route are horizontal. You just need to make sure it is perfectly level.
@@SPL Thanks for responding.
I don't have the cleaning cap. is it save to put the whole unit in an acid solution? I'm sure the answer is no, but i thought i would ask. thanks.
I mean, some people do it. The cap is a smarter way.
@@SPL thanks for the reply...i just ordered a cap. better safe
My ichlor has an error message "AC" on the screen and has flashing red lights... going to try to clean it, not sure what AC means though.
Thanks for this. I did make my own cap because I didn’t want to wait.
did you use an ordinary hose or was more like a power washer? I've had buildup similar to the one you used in the video but simply soaking it doesn't take off nearly as much as yours did.
It won't be very effective and sometimes you can fog up the glass tile.
Excellent video. Exactly what I needed. How often do ichlor30 need acid washing. I thought that they were self cleaning.
Thanks! Area dependent really. Here in Los Angeles County, we have hard water. So typically every 3 months. But say in Florida maybe every 6 months.
I'm a maintenance technician and maintain a apartment complex pool. I inspected my salt cell and it was super calcified. I could not see any of the plates. I did the acid soak for about 20 minutes until the bubbles subsided, then I really blasted it out with a high pressure stream of water. When I reinstalled everything it was like a miracle! I can't speak to my chlorine output yet but my gallons per minute flow rate shot up from about 40 to 60! Also, my pressure on my pentair cartridge filter dropped from around 17 to 12 PSI! Pump. Even sounds like it is quieter and running smoothly. Have you ever experienced this happening? Or am I going crazy? I imagined that maybe it was so plugged up. It would be like a plugged catalytic converter in a car. Maybe causing those pressures to build and my flow to decrease? I don't know. Hopefully it holds because I'm super happy now with the system performance as it sits
Yes, the return to the pool was slowed down by all the calcium. Seen that.
Thanks for all your helpful videos. You are my #1 go-to source for pool tech issues. Just had a quick question: Can this be done WITHOUT having to purchase the specific “acid cleaner” kit? Can I just use a bucket, muriatic acid/water and some household tools?
Yes, and no. Preferably the cleaning cap since there are a lot of electronics on that cell. It might or might not damage it over time.
hi i have an Krystal Clear Saltwater Pool System 2 Stage Filter CS8110 15k GAL how do i clean it if i dont have an cap or not the same with yours
The cap is best but you can unplug it and use a bucket of water
Thanks. But stupid question: even with everything closed… the water just drains out of the pool. I guess: plug the input ports?
Was that maybe too obvious to mention? Sorry, it’s my first time. 😂
It sounds like your equipment is below the water level. In that case try putting a tennis ball in the skimmer hole when you do this.
Great video
Is the acid and water a 50-50 mix? What is the actual name of the acid you need to use?
Muriatic Acid 31.45%
How Often should you do this? My Cell keeps blowing a fuse so I called Pentair support and he asked if i had cleaned the cells. He was thinking the additional buildup could cause the Cell to send a larger load to the power supply and blowing the fuse. Still investigating but I did not even know I was supposed to. At then end of the year the cell still seemed to be working ok chlorine is but I do think the "Cell" light flashed on the last day before we had our guy close up the pool. This will be the 3rd year we open the pool and I do not recall the installers telling us we needed to do this.
You can try a 15 amp fuse. It won't hurt anything and it might prevent this from occurring as often.
What if only some plates have calcium buildup. Will cleaning damage the other plates?
No, it won't damage anything.
Thanks for the help...😁
Question for you; do you use a respirator when using muriatic acid? If so what level or brand of mask would you suggest. Also, when removing the salt cell, do I need to turn to shut the value off to prevent pool water flowing out? Thank you
Any N98 mask will work fine. It depends if your equipment is above or below the pool water level. If below turn valve off. If not no need.
Is there a way to replace the cell without having to replace the whole unit? I can’t seem to find the metal cells only. Please advice. Thank you
got to replace the whole thing.
Thank you!
I have Ben watching you forever
Looks pretty simple. I'm going to be doing this tomorrow for a client hoping it goes as smooth as this.
Pretty easy.
I thought the coms power cable goes direct to pump so it shuts off when pump off, I saw you plugged it into a box, doesnt that mean the SWG is always on ?
This set up is a bit odd. The power center is wired into the automated system on a relay so it only gives the cell power when the pump turns on. You can wire to the back of a VS pump if there is an AUX relay there.
@@SPL mine is wired in a power center like yours but we don't have and automated system, we've also been told supermax VS pump wont talk to any else, so our pump and swg are lit up 24/7 my electrician is a donkey
Boss!
What kind of acid are you using?
Muriatic Acid
Why is it the last tech over tightens the unions? 🤦♂️
You will need to cover the unions with rags and use two large Channel Locks to twist it loose. One gripping it on the other union and one twisting it.
@@SPL Did 3 cells the next day. Learned something new in each cleaning. Mainly to pour out all the acid from the cell before taking off the cell clean up attachment. Thanks for the podcast and RUclips videos. Really helps this new Pool Guy in Riverside. 👍
Can you just use CLR to clean instead of the muriatic acid/water mixture?
You can use White Vinegar and water. It takes longer but works as well.
Hello, thanks for the video. Is it ok to use chlorhydric acid to clean ? Thanks
Would say it might be too strong.
Do you mean Hydrochloric acid? That's the same as muriatic acid.
I seem to have my cell light go out every other month. Very annoying
It does come with a good warranty.
Will the cell light turn red if it needs to be cleaned?
Usually, yes.