7 Seasons on an RJ60+ - Shows Check Cell and Low Salt (it's not)

[kchinger]

I did an acid bath two years ago when this happened and was able to get some more time out of it. Is there a way to tell if it's time to actually replace it, or if I can just acid bath it again and get some more time out of it? Is there a better time of year to replace it? Like, should I just use liquid for a couple months until I close and then buy on sale if that occurs at a certain time? Liquid is so expensive I'll probably spend like $50 in those 2 months.

Any reason not to do RJ60+ again? I like that I can run it at lower amounts and it last longer, but if I got a smaller one I might be able to run it higher and then get the warranty pro-rated replacement? I always run my pump 24 hours anyway since it's VSP, so that isn't a concern.

Current prices:
60+ $794
45+ $694
30+ $614

 

[HermanTX]

I think @Texas Splash has one of these and maybe can offer guidance.

 

[Newdude]

Any reason not to do RJ60+ again?

Nope. The RJ60+ has 33% more production for 14.5% more cost per your current replacement costs. The ROI is there to upgrade if you chose to spend on it.

Inspect the cell for buildup, if so, try one of the gentle ways to clean first.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

You've done great at 7 years. I have the 45 model and I am wrapping up season four. It has been showing signs of aging like yours with the Cell Maint & Low Salt flashing. Once in a while it even stops altogether when it thinks the salt level is something like 2,400 or below (which of course it is not). I turn off the unit, turn it back on, then it may work fine for a day or two, several days a week or more without doing that gain. I can't pinpoint what it causing the false readings & shutdown other than age. I cleaning it a couple weeks ago with just water pressure and a wooden stick because there wasn't much scale residue in there at all. But I'd say use up that RJ-60 as much as you can. A replacement 60 model should be an easy fix when you're ready and hopefully it will give you the same amount of service life. IMO, anything over 5 years is bonus.

 

[kchinger]

You've done great at 7 years. I have the 45 model and I am wrapping up season four. It has been showing signs of aging like yours with the Cell Maint & Low Salt flashing. Once in a while it even stops altogether when it thinks the salt level is something like 2,400 or below (which of course it is not). I turn off the unit, turn it back on, then it may work fine for a day or two, several days a week or more without doing that gain. I can't pinpoint what it causing the false readings & shutdown other than age. I cleaning it a couple weeks ago with just water pressure and a wooden stick because there wasn't much scale residue in there at all. But I'd say use up that RJ-60 as much as you can. A replacement 60 model should be an easy fix when you're ready and hopefully it will give you the same amount of service life. IMO, anything over 5 years is bonus.

It appears I have the same thing you do. I went out today to grab the S/N and it was perfectly happy again. No lights at all. Probably the shutoff overnight kinda reset it I guess. I took a picture, I don't see anything at all really, looks pretty good to me. Maybe I'll let it limp through the rest of this year and plan on a replacement next year.

 

[kchinger]

So I called Circupool just to see if the 7 year prorating warranty was in year 7 or the first 7 years (if that makes sense). I'm just a few weeks outside the warranty I think, but they're giving me 20% off anyway which is what the warranty would've been, so I'm just gonna go ahead and order that so I have it. Hard to beat that.

 

[chlorinatorpro]

I would think the hour usage in PA would be far less than the hour usage in San Antonio? Even though it may be seven calendar years I would guess the PA unit has 50% less overall usage because of the cold weather between Nov - April .

 

[kchinger]

I would think the hour usage in PA would be far less than the hour usage in San Antonio? Even though it may be seven calendar years I would guess the PA unit has 50% less overall usage because of the cold weather between Nov - April .

Good point. I'm probably making a LOT less chlorine over 7 years than someone in Texas would be. Not just that I'm closed for 6+ months, but it's colder overall.

 

[Newdude]

Bingo.

It's why the whole 'the SWG should last X years' thing goes right out the window because our SWG run much less up north as they do down south, all else being equal. Not only is the UV demand less but the season is shorter too. Phoenix has been 100+ for over 100 days and we had a mild summer up in NY. You just can't compare the 2.

If they have different sized pools and/or different units it gets even worse.