Pentair iChlor 30: CELL / Clean Cell Alert

[LgHorn]

Hi TFP,

I am struggling with an issue with my iChlor 30 SWCG. In summary, the CELL light is constantly lit red and my ScreenLogic reports a “Clean Salt Cell” system alert. The cell itself (blades) is clean and I’ve recently performed an acid bath just to confirm. Flow is good and also did a full filter clean last weekend. It has been this way for weeks and I’ve been using liquid chlorine for sanitization since.

I suspected it was the flow switch which I understand is the Achilles heel of the iChlors and IC units. The salinity reading has been a problem on this unit since day one, often being 100s ppm off compared to my Taylor test, but I’ve managed and the iChlor worked sufficiently until this CELL error appeared. The flow switch replacement went fine and after turning the system on again I watched the light dance and the cell performing its salinity check. After a few mins everything looked normal and I saw the output reading and spinning lights showing chlorine was being generated. Yea! However, several minutes later the unit was reporting CELL again with the same red light.

The unit was purchased July 3, 2019 and installed (by me) shortly thereafter, so it’s exactly 3 years old. Any suggestions on what to try next, or does it sound like a failure and needs to be replaced? If it needs to be replaced, then I’ll likely go with an IC40 as I believe those are of higher quality and the higher output will hopefully provide longer life for my ~15k gal pool. I’d like to try anything else before having to throw down over $1k for a new unit.

Thanks for any input for recommendations.

 

[Jimrahbe]

L,

The classic failure mode for the IntelliChlor (IC20, 40, 60) is that the cell light flashes even when the cell is clean. I had two cells fail at rent houses in the past year or so and both of them had the same issue. One was almost 10 years old and the other over 7 years old.

I have no experience with the iChlor, but would assume they operate about the same.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[LgHorn]

L,

The classic failure mode for the IntelliChlor (IC20, 40, 60) is that the cell light flashes even when the cell is clean. I had two cells fail at rent houses in the past year or so and both of them had the same issue. One was almost 10 years old and the other over 7 years old.

I have no experience with the iChlor, but would assume they operate about the same.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim, thanks for the reply. So, sounds likely a cell failure and it will need to be replaced? Again, that’s my suspicion after replacing the flow switch, but seeking second opinions from those more knowledgeable than me before investing in a new cell. Thankfully, in 2019 I picked up the iChlor 30 for $560, so at approx $190/yr it’s a justifiable expense vs the pucks. If I can get 5+ years out of an IC40, then it will be justifiable as well.