Investing in a salt chlorination systems a great idea for those who are tired of traditional chlorine systems that use harsh factory-produced chlorine. If you’re new to salt chlorination, there are a couple of things you should know to get the most life out of your system. The salt control unit and salt cell are the two main parts of the system. A real basic explanation of how they work is… the control unit controls how much chlorine is produced, and the cell actually turns salt into chlorine.

Proper water chemistry and a well-maintained cell will keep your system working properly and your water sanitized. Read below on how to keep your cell in great shape. Salt Cell TipsIf you were told a salt chlorinator needs NO maintenance, sorry, but it’s not true. It is true, however, that the maintenance is minimal. It’s very important to inspect your salt cell regularly and keep it free of scale.

The scale is one of the most common challenges in salt water chlorinator maintenance. It typically forms first on the salt cell plates where it can remain undetected until a problem advances. Once scale forms, it lessens the effectiveness and life span of the salt cell, which can lead to premature cell replacement.

All About Salt Chlorination

Before pool chlorinators, it was necessary to handle and store harsh chlorination chemicals in order to keep your swimming pool clean and safe for everyone to use. Today, advancements in the pool industry bring us a simpler and safer alternative; Salt Chlorination.

What is Salt Chlorination?

Salt Chlorination is the natural and more convenient alternative sanitization method to traditionally harsh liquid or solid chemical chlorine. Hayward’s patented salt systems convert dissolved salt into just the right amount of chlorine, resulting in clean, clear, luxuriously soft water that is less work and worry for you—and your wallet.

How Popular is Salt Chlorination?

Nearly 1 million households worldwide have chosen to sanitize their pools with Hayward Salt Chlorination Systems. Salt satisfies 100% of your pool and spa’s sanitization needs, always leaving you with clean, clear, and luxuriously soft water without you lifting a finger.

4 Reasons to Choose a Salt Chlorinated Pool

1. Saves up to 50% over traditional chlorine
2. The water feels luxuriously soft and silky
3. Easy to maintain Hayward’s reliable systems
4. Reduces skin and eye irritation and won’t smell like chlorine

Converting to a Salt Chlorinated Pool is Easy

With salt chlorination, you can get all the benefits of a conventional chlorinated pool –clean, clear water –without the negative side-effects, like chemical odors and irritated skin and eyes. Instead of using chemical chlorine to sanitize your pool, salt chlorine generators work by converting conventional salt into chlorine –it’s as simple as that!

Here’s how it works: Salt is added to the pool, and then pumped through an electrolytic cell where it’s converted to chlorine and then pumped back into the pool. The result is a clean, clear, luxuriously soft water that is less work and worry for you –and your wallet.

How Do I Maintain A Salt Chlorinated Pool?

As with any pool, you need to check pH, alkalinity, hardness and chlorine levels on a regular basis. Most pool retail stores will perform this test for you at no charge. Salt chlorination, which does not vary much, should be also be checked regularly, but this may be done every other month or so.

Again, many stores will perform this test at no charge. If you are the Do-It-Yourself type, many different test kits are available for at home use. Depending on the use of your pool, you may need to adjust your salt chlorinator’s chlorine production to a higher or lower output level to keep the chlorine level where it needs to be. If there have been a large number of swimmers in the pool, if you have had heavy rain or if the pool water is cloudy, you can put the chlorinator into “Super Chlorinate” mode where it will automatically generate the maximum amount of chlorine for the next 24 hour period.

Salt Cells should be inspected for calcium build up about every 500 hours of use (our systems have a “Check Cell” LED light will illuminate every 500 hours to be used as a reminder) and cleaned if necessary. The most convenient time to clean your cell is prior to turning on your salt system at the beginning of the pool season (for people who close their pools).

Consult with your Hayward salt chlorination dealer for technical advice and help to choose salt chlorination products that are right for your pool.

Did You Know?

A drop of water from a salt chlorinated pool contains less salt than a human tear. Here is a list of typical salt levels in common: Ocean Water –35,000 PPMHuman Tear –9,000 PPMHayward Salt Pools –3,000 PPM

For any pool, salt water operated or not, a drop in pH can be the biggest culprit to equipment damage, particularly metals. As for salt, some metal damage can occur overtimeIFthe system is not properly installed—proper installation means proper electrical grounding and bonding of the equipment. Likewise, using the correct quantity of salt in your pool produces luxurious, clean water. That said, too much salt can be corrosive to pool decks, railings, and equipment. Play it safe by contacting your local pool professional to ensure you are using the correct amount of salt in your pool.

How To Clean Your Hayward Salt Chlorinator Turbo Cell

Did you know it’s always a great idea to inspect your Hayward TurboCellfor calcium build up before it’s put into operation? Leaving calcium deposits on the internal TurboCell plates can actually lessen your TurboCell’s effectiveness at producing chlorine and can ultimately shorten its lifespan.

For optimum TurboCell operation and longer life, you should inspect your TurboCell approximately every 3 months of operation, or 500 hours, and clean the cell if necessary. TurboCell cleaning frequency will be dependent on several factors such as pH, calcium hardness levels of your pool water and hours of operation. The pH and calcium hardness levels are the two factors that have the greatest impact on how often your TurboCell will require cleaning. Calcium buildup (or scale), is one of the most common and serious challenges in salt chlorinated pool maintenance, partly because it typically forms first on the salt cell plates where it can remain undetected until the problem advances. Once scale forms, it lessens the effectiveness and life span of the salt cell, which can lead to premature cell replacement.

Our Hayward Aqua Rite salt chlorination system, the world’s #1 salt chlorinator, has a built-in reminder to inspect and clean the cell every 500 hrs. This salt chlorinator is the convenient alternative to conventional chlorine, bringing your pool the very best in soft, silky water with no more red eyes, itchy skin, or harsh odors.

How to Clean Your Hayward Salt Chlorinator Turbo Cell:

1. Turn off the power to the system and deactivate the pool pump before removing the Turbo Cell.
2. Remove the Turbo Cell. Once removed, look through the cell and inspect for scale formation (light colored crusty or flaky deposits) on the plates and for debris that is caught on the plates.If no deposits are visible, reinstall the cell.
3. If deposits are seen, use a high-pressure garden hose to flush the scale off.
4. If a high-pressure hose does not remove the majority of deposits, then use a mild acid wash. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and appropriate eye protection. In a clean plastic container, mix a 4:1 solution of water to muriatic acid (one gallon of water to one quart of acid).Caution: ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER –NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID.
5. Fasten the Turbo Cell to Cell Cleaning Stand with the cord side down. Before filling Turbo Cell with a muriatic acid solution, place a container underneath to avoid any spills. Fill the Turbo Cell to the top with the solution and let soak for 15 minutes. Empty the Turbo Cell and inspect. If clean, rinse with hose and reinstall. If there are still deposits after soaking, repeat the soaking procedure until clean. The water/muriatic acid mixture can be stored for later use or it can be disposed of. Follow the chemical manufacturer’s recommendations when storing or disposing of the water/acid solution.
6. Reinstall the Turbo Cell. Press the small diagnostic button next to the display for 3 seconds to stop the flashing Inspect Cell LED and reset the countdown timer for another 500 operational hours.