Really the title says it all. Sorry this may sound like a silly question to most of you, but I'm a newbie and have no idea 
. Help is appreciated. Thanks!
. Help is appreciated. Thanks!
Do I need to turn the generator cell off when adding salt to the pool?
- Thread starter Sleiman
- Start date
Yes turn it off. I had no idea to and have added it with it on before I found this site and learned that it needs to be off.
Yes. The salt needs time to dissolve and while it is the salt content of the water flowing through the SWG cell will vary.
I believe it is customary to run the filter for 24 hours after it dissolves before turning on the SWG. Also be sure to manually chlorinate if your FC is low while you wait.
I believe it is customary to run the filter for 24 hours after it dissolves before turning on the SWG. Also be sure to manually chlorinate if your FC is low while you wait.
Really the title says it all. Sorry this may sound like a silly question to most of you, but I'm a newbie and have no idea
S,
I really think it depends on if you are adding a lot of salt, as in a new install or maybe the first power up of the year... or if you are just adding one bag of salt to maintain your salt level.
It can't hurt to turn off the SWCG, but if only adding one bag, I can't see where it would make much difference...
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,690
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I am going to say, check your SWG manual first. I looked at the Hayward TurboCell T-Cell-15 manuals online and could find no directions to turn off the cell when adding salt.
Now other SWG brands seem to have some directions. Below are the directions for adding salt from the Pentair Intellichlor that I have. Note that they don't say to turn the SWG off before adding salt. But then the last step is to turn the SWG on.
I have been using an Intellichlor for many years. I have never turned it off before adding salt. Including when I did a refill and went from 0 salt and added 22 bags. I have never seen any ill effects from it. What I think is more important are the instructions to run the pump for 24 hours after salt is added. Many have their pumps on timers and don't override the timer after adding salt.
So if you are the safe conservative type then turn your SWG off before adding salt. If you live for the excitement of life then just dump the salt in.
Now other SWG brands seem to have some directions. Below are the directions for adding salt from the Pentair Intellichlor that I have. Note that they don't say to turn the SWG off before adding salt. But then the last step is to turn the SWG on.
I have been using an Intellichlor for many years. I have never turned it off before adding salt. Including when I did a refill and went from 0 salt and added 22 bags. I have never seen any ill effects from it. What I think is more important are the instructions to run the pump for 24 hours after salt is added. Many have their pumps on timers and don't override the timer after adding salt.
So if you are the safe conservative type then turn your SWG off before adding salt. If you live for the excitement of life then just dump the salt in.
If the main drain is open, the salt can get sucked up and spike the salinity in the cell.
If the main drain is off, then adding a bag of salt is not a problem.
You can add a bag in the shallow end but don't push the salt towards the main drain.
If the main drain is off, then adding a bag of salt is not a problem.
You can add a bag in the shallow end but don't push the salt towards the main drain.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,690
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What bad things happen if you spike the salinity in the cell? All cells seem to have low value and high value shutoffs.
The amperage can jump way up and possibly damage the electronics.
Even with an automatic shutoff, you might get enough current surge to damage the system.
Even with an automatic shutoff, you might get enough current surge to damage the system.
Shutoffs are designed as a last-resort safety mechanism. If extremely salty water passes through the cell then it will shut off, but not before passing a fair amount of current through the highly conductive water. The cell will still be damaged before it shuts itself off, the shutoff will only (probably) prevent it from completely frying itself and potentially starting an electrical fire.
wow... thank you all. such a wealth of information here. learned a lot just by asking a simple question.
I just added one bag of salt to top the salt ppm up a bit (was at 2800, now up to 2900 which means I will need to buy more salt I guess) and I did turn off the cell because I was being cautious
I turned the cell back on again this morning (after about 12 hours).
I will just shut it off everytime I do this as good practice... and will keep in mind where to drop the salt and how to push it around away from the main drain I guess. Good stuff. Thanks again.
I just added one bag of salt to top the salt ppm up a bit (was at 2800, now up to 2900 which means I will need to buy more salt I guess) and I did turn off the cell because I was being cautious
I turned the cell back on again this morning (after about 12 hours).
I will just shut it off everytime I do this as good practice... and will keep in mind where to drop the salt and how to push it around away from the main drain I guess. Good stuff. Thanks again.
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