Blog's by Wideman Pools

Wideman Pools, LLc

2567 Hwy 67

Festus, MO 63028

widemanpools.com

636-931-7665

Why Salt Generators Stop Working

Image result for hayward salt generators work

It has been said that, "There is nothing new under the sun." While salt generators have surged in popularity in the last decade, the technology goes back to 1800. Scientists back then discovered the technology of splitting molecules in a solution using what is called electrolysis. Salts like sodium chloride or sodium bromide are used in a solution that is subject to low voltage electrical current between a pair of cells with opposing charges. One cell, the Anode, contains positive charges and the other, the Cathode, contains negative charges. Electrical ions flow back and forth between the two cells. The result is that molecules are split and chlorine gas is produced at the anode. Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode. Salt generators produce hydrogen gas, chlorine gas and a solution of sodium hydroxide. When salt generators are working properly they are continuously producing free available chlorine at set levels.

What happens when salt generators fail?

When a unit begins to fail it will not produce sufficient free chlorine to keep up with demand. There are numerous reasons for failure including dirty or calcified cells that need to be cleaned, no power to cells and insufficient levels of salt in the water. There is one main factor to consider first when a salt chlorine generator fails, and that is the presence of phosphates in the pool water.

When levels of phosphate exceed 500 ppb the unit can cease to produce enough free available chlorine to keep up with demand. Most manufacturers of salt chlorine generators will confirm that when there is a problem with production of free available chlorine, a phosphate test is recommended. If the phosphate levels are near or over 500 ppb, a phosphate removal treatment is advised to help the salt chlorine generator function properly.

What does Phosphate have to do with Salt Systems?

So, what is going on when phosphate levels climb in a salt pool? We need to look to the industrial uses of orthophosphate in water treatment. First of all it is important to understand that orthophosphate is the detrimental form of phosphate that exists in water. Orthophosphate will not only interfere with salt generators, it can also cause excessive algae blooms to occur in both traditional and salt pools as well.

A product known as zinc orthophosphate is used in drinking water systems because it adheres to metal pipes and acts as an anti-corrosion agent. So, from this we know that orthophosphate likes to cling to metals. The real interference of phosphates in chlorine generators is still somewhat theoretical. It appears that since orthophosphates attach to metals they attach to the cathode and cause an interference with the flow of electrons between the anode and the cathode of the salt chlorine generator. We do know that higher levels of orthophosphate seem to cause a definite interference with the normal operation of the salt chlorine generators.

Where are the phosphates coming from?

Phosphates can be introduced into swimming water from a multitude of sources including: fertilizers, organic debris and soil, detergent cleaners, tile cleaners and metal sequestering chemicals. Also, phosphate can come from human perspiration and urea.

There are several different forms of phosphate depending on the source; all however eventually end up in the form of orthophosphate. Metal products can be one of the main culprits which cause failure in salt chlorine generator pools. This is because staining from metals is more prevalent in salt chlorine pools due to the potential of galvanic corrosion from high TDS of the salt and dissimilar metals present in the water. Most manufacturers of salt chlorine generators will recommend a metal sequestering product be used. Most metal sequestering products available for pools are phosphonic or phosphoric acid based formulas. When these are added to a salt pool, the result will be a breakdown of the phosphate to free orthophosphate which is what will cause the problems with cells in the chlorine generator. For this reason it is best to use a phosphate free metal sequestering product.

How are the phosphates removed?

Phosphates can be removed from the pool water by a simple use of a phosphate remover. It is important to understand that orthophosphate in pool water exist in a soluble form. The most effective phosphate removers work by making the soluble orthophosphate precipitate out as a solid. This will cause some cloudiness to the water which can be filtered out readily with the use of a clarifier. However, keep in mind that the more phosphate, the more cloudiness there will be. Also, in extreme cases it can take up to 2 to 3 days for the cloudiness to clear completely. It is important during this cloudy period to have the salt chlorine generator turned off until the water clears. During this period liquid chlorine can be used to keep the residual up. The other option for extreme levels of phosphate — when levels are near or over 5,000 ppb — would be to drain and dilute some or all of the water. The drain and dilution method may be better used for commercial pools where shut-down time is limited and cloudiness of the water is regulated. In these cases it is advisable to dilute out as much phosphate as possible and then use maintenance doses of phosphate remover to keep levels managed.

How do you keep the Phosphates out?

It is important in a salt chlorine pool to be diligent about keeping phosphate levels down. The following are some guidelines that can help:

1) Test water for phosphates on a weekly basis.

2) Treat with a phosphate remover weekly to keep levels down.

3) Use only non-phosphate metal products and cleaners.

4) Clean and remove grass, leaves and any organic debris from pool as quickly as possible.

5) Test tap water to see what levels of phosphate are in the source.

6) Test for and treat for phosphates after any periods of extreme weather or heavy use.

7) For commercial pools, avoid using any phosphate-based cleaners on the decking or tile.

8) Operators should discourage patrons from visiting the pool after swimming in nearby lakes.

9) Care should be taken when fertilizing lawns and plants near pool area.

10) Source water should be tested for phosphates as well. Many water municipalities treat with straight orthophosphates at different times. If this is the case then phosphate treatment is recommended at filling and whenever topping off.

Thanks,

The Wideman Pool Team