I have a T15 cell. Was working until a couple days ago as I noticed the salt level looked low. It was after a rain storm so I figured I needed more salt. Added 6 bags and it only brought the level from 1200 to 1700. I figured some thing was off. Tested salt with some strips and it reads 4000. Looks like I added too much. Took out board and re placed limiter disc even though it looked ok. Cleaned cell and still no fix. Amps goes up to 4. Then drops to 0 when it realizes the salt level is too low. The recalibrate function only show 0 when I try it. Any ideas?
Aqua rite T15 won’t read correct salt level
- Thread starter boilerbdub
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,659
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Review the above. Post your diagnostic data.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
HOWDY.. Boiler! and welcome to the forum! 
How old is the cell? Can you fill in your equipment in your signature. We use that has a handy reference to make recommendations about your gear. One of the first things that indicates a cell is going out is when the tested salinity doesn't match the Salnity that the cell reads. The link Marty provided has some troubleshooting diagnostics that will help us figure it out.
How old is the cell? Can you fill in your equipment in your signature. We use that has a handy reference to make recommendations about your gear. One of the first things that indicates a cell is going out is when the tested salinity doesn't match the Salnity that the cell reads. The link Marty provided has some troubleshooting diagnostics that will help us figure it out.
Thanks for the welcome. I added what I know off hand to the signature block. The SWG unit is at least 7 years old as it was there when I purchased the house. I assume that I've went past it's life. I fixed the control board twice (the limiter disc that wears out) over the past 7 years. I replaced it again last night just in case. I'm assuming at this point it's the T-15 cell as it's not reading the right salt level and won't read anything on the recalibrate function. I'll read through the troubleshooting tips and get back.
*On a side note, if I get another cell should I get the T-15 or is a different model better?
*On a side note, if I get another cell should I get the T-15 or is a different model better?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,659
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The Hayward T15 is the workhorse of the SWCG products. Get a replacement. Costs have gone up -- just be prepared.
I'm going to do one final test on the board based on the help document you posted. I'm going to test the voltage on the pins 1 and 2 of the J5 connector on the board. If that shows the correct voltage I'll assume the T15 needs replaced.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,659
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
There are generic branded cells out there. All plates come from China as far as I know. Some may assemble here. Be ware as some low priced manufacturers are simply reducing the metal coating to reduce cost. And thus, the cell only lasts for 1/4 or less of the time of a OEM cell.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
That's what I found... The OEM cells reduce the confusion about whether you are getting a good cell or not. And look at this way. on your second cell its still cheaper that buying the whole package, you need just the cell, not the controller too. If you can, get the T-Cell-15 (940) Extended life cell, that one has a longer rated lifetime but the same output as the regular T-Cell-15.
BTW... just a heads up.
We really promote self managing a pool with accurate testing... someone is going to call you out for using test strips.. 
its just what we do here to insure everyone knows what's going on in their pools.. test strips are just too variable and prone to contamination. Check this out:
Test Kits Compared
And of those get this one:
tftestkits.net
That's the one I like the best. It has the salt tests, and the stirrer already included. 
BTW... just a heads up.
We really promote self managing a pool with accurate testing... someone is going to call you out for using test strips.. its just what we do here to insure everyone knows what's going on in their pools.. test strips are just too variable and prone to contamination. Check this out:Test Kits Compared
And of those get this one:
TF-Pro Salt
Sounds good. I bought some new strips yesterday as my other strips were over 5 years old. I'll check out that kit! Just purchased the T-15 from Amazon through the Hayward site. Should be here early next week. I'll let you know if it fixes the problem.That's what I found... The OEM cells reduce the confusion about whether you are getting a good cell or not. And look at this way. on your second cell its still cheaper that buying the whole package, you need just the cell, not the controller too. If you can, get the T-Cell-15 (940) Extended life cell, that one has a longer rated lifetime but the same output as the regular T-Cell-15.
BTW... just a heads up.
Test Kits Compared
And of those get this one:
That's the one I like the best. It has the salt tests, and the stirrer already included.TF-Pro Salt
Good call in getting a replacement T-15 cell. A known good working T-15 should register 6.+ Amps on the display. Unless you overshoot the recommended max salt level. In preparation for the new cell, make sure the salt level is within the recommended range of 2700-3400ppm. I use Taylor K-1766 salt test kit.
On a side note, our OEM T-15 cell lasted only 4 season (6 months/year). I switched to Jacuzzi salt cell jsc40h for half the price of the OEM T-15. So far so good but only time will tell if it is any better than the OEM T-15.
On a side note, our OEM T-15 cell lasted only 4 season (6 months/year). I switched to Jacuzzi salt cell jsc40h for half the price of the OEM T-15. So far so good but only time will tell if it is any better than the OEM T-15.
Thanks for the info. Got the new T15 in today and installed it. Looks like that fixed the problem. My salt level is too high but I’ll burn that down a bit. Thanks for the help!