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SANITIZING WITH A SALT CHLORINE GENERATOR
Salt-Water Chlorine generators use electrolysis, water passing over the chlorine generator cell,
to produce chlorine. The process begins with salt in the water, sodium chloride, which is
converted to chlorine (sodium hypochloride) within the generator through electrolytic
conversion.
Then, like all chlorine, it becomes Hypochlorous acid when added to water.
Hypochlorous acid (free chlorine) is the active sanitizer
that kills algae and bacteria in the water. Once sanitation
takes place, the chlorine changes to salt and is user over
and over again through each sanitation cycle. This
means that your Salt Chlorine generator is a closed loop
system that does not require continuous addition of
chemicals. The benefits to this type of system are many,
automatic and continuous sanitizing of the water without
the need to manually add chlorine is certainly the biggest
advantage.
The most common question about the use of a salt chlorine generator is if the pool water will taste
like salt-water. The answer is usually no. Ocean water typically has a salt content of 35,000 ppm,
whereas your salt generator requires a salt level of 2,500-4,000 ppm, about ½ the amount
found
in human tears. A very mild saline taste can begin to be detected at 3,500 to 4,000 ppm.
As with any type of chlorine sanitizer you still need to test and monitor the levels of chlorine,
pH, alkalinity, stabilizer/conditioner and hardness in your pool. On initial start-up you will add
salt to your pool, pure sodium chloride (NaCl),
DO NOT
use rock salt. 1 lb. of salt will increase
1,000 gallons of water by 120 ppm. Salt does not evaporate from the water, but the salt level
will reduce over time due to splash out, backwash and dilution by rain water. The ideal level of
salt or sodium you should maintain in your water is 2,500 ppm to 4,000 ppm. I
t is critical that
you maintain the sodium chloride level in the recommended ideal range
. Refer to the
owners manuals on the following page- for brand specific sodium recommendations.
When adding salt your filter should be on with the water circulating – be sure to set the chlorine
production setting at 00% or turn unit off for 8 to 12 hours.
Broadcast the salt into the shallow
end of the pool and using a maintenance brush, brush and stir the salt toward the deep end or
center of the pool. Allow water to circulate for 24 hours to dissolve completely and mix evenly
with the pool water. After 24 hours, verify correct salt reading.
At that time you can turn on the
generator and set to desired production rate
.
This will help your generator to sanitize the water
properly, keeping it sparkling clear and clean. Your generator will indicate when the salt is
high or low. You should monitor and regulate the salt content of the water
on a regular basis. Use a salt test strip monthly or have your water
professionally tested by your pool professional prior to adding any salt to
your pool. If the salt level is too high, you can damage your generator. If
the salt level is too low, the system won’t be able to sanitize your water
adequately and will shut down.
Click on your Salt Generator listed below to view owner's manual or instructions:
AUTO PILOT
Pool Pilot Cubby™ Digital
Pool Pilot™ Digital
Pool Pilot™Soft Touch
BIO GUARD
Mineral Springs™ Treatment
Mineral Springs™ Generator
COMPU-POOL CPSC/CPA Series
ECO-MATIC Series
FROG® Hybrid Mineral System