Hayward T-Cell-925 problems. Time for a new one?

[DASSMan]

Hi all. Searched the forums but haven't been able to find a method by which I can check to see if my T-Cell has gone kaput. Any shared info would be great.

Backstory:
Live in Toronto, Canada. Opened the pool mid May. I always run it as a chlorine pool until water temps stays above 70F. Got to check salt situation a week ago and my Onmilogic System shows 2000 ppm salt so I tossed in two 20kg bags of salt. Normally, my salt jumps 200-300ppm per bag. After 2 bags, it only jumped 200. Ran it for a few more days where it didn't really climb. So based on the ppm gains I got, I tossed in 3 more bags. Still, salt shows 2500ppm. Got to get my water tested yesterday and the test says salt is at 5200ppm. I took out my cell last night, hosed it out, cleaned it with the usual water/muric acic (4:1) mixture, reinstalled the cell and drained about 14 inches of water out of my pool. Refilled.

Salt cell is now showing 1980 from 2500. Based on my math, that still doesn't seem right. Need to go for another water test to be sure.

What's my next step here folks?

Pool size: 22,000 Gal

Current diagnostics of my cell are:
Cell Temp: 76*
Instant Salt: 1983ppm
Average Salt: 1982ppm
Cell Current: 0.00A
Cell Type: T-Cell
Relay Polarity: Off
Cell Voltage: 31.64V

 

[ajw22]

Every indication is your cell is depleted and needs replacement.

See if there is a pool store around you who can test Hayward cells to confirm.

You need to drain your pool and get your salt level down below 4000 ppm or you can damage your system when you plug in a good cell with high salt levels.

You should get your own K-1766 Salt Test kit.

 

[KenKasza]

Step 1: Stop using your systems salt level reading. Get at Salt test kit Taylor 1766. Use it. Trust it.
Step 2: Do your own water testing. Get a Taylor K-2006. Use it. Trust it.

It look like you took your cell reading while the system was not generating.

 

[DASSMan]

Every indication is your cell is depleted and needs replacement.

See if there is a pool store around you who can test Hayward cells to confirm.

You need to drain your pool and get your salt level down below 4000 ppm or you can damage your system when you plug in a good cell with high salt levels.

You should get your own K-1766 Salt Test kit.

Thanks! I called a bunch of pool store in driving distance and nobody tests them. One shop did send me instruction on how to check but it seems pretty basic. Doc attached

"If amps (#4) are reading zero, the cell needs to be reprogrammed"

Really not sure what's meant by reprogramming the cell. I'm just going to replace it. It's been 8 years now. lol

I use Aqua check test trips through the season to manage my own water chems but always like to start with a test from the shop. I'll have a look at getting a salt tester. Feeling kinda dumb after this. LoL

 

[ajw22]

Get a complete test kit like Test Kits that include the salt test kit.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[KenKasza]

@DASSMan ,
Read post number 4 at this link: Understanding OmniLogic control of TCell 15
Might be benificial.

Read post #3 ..... The whole thread is good info.

 

[rcbarr]

Step 1: Stop using your systems salt level reading. Get at Salt test kit Taylor 1766. Use it. Trust it.
Step 2: Do your own water testing. Get a Taylor K-2006. Use it. Trust it.

It look like you took your cell reading while the system was not generating.

Seems to me they should be in sync (+/- 200ppm).

 

[rcbarr]

I believe one indication of a bad cell is when your tested (salt, via strips, professional, digital) show much higher ppm than the Cell is reporting. This is the EXACT issue I am facing now. I had the Cell tested at Leslie's, tested good for a T3 and T9, so what gives? Why does the cell report 2800ppm and professionally tested result is 3600ppm. I have recalibrated multiple times, starts at say 3000, then falls 100 or so every day or two.

 

[ajw22]

Why does the cell report 2800ppm and professionally tested result is 3600ppm.

The salt level is calculated based on a new cell assumed performance. As a cell ages the performance drops and the displayed salt level drops.