Cleaning a Pentair iChlor Salt Cell: A Step by Step Video Guide

[@jeffbonzerpeterson]

I put the cell in a bucket with the cap on, some people don’t like discolored concrete from the acid. Cheers!

[@SPL]

Smart. 👍

[@4263484]

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING IS EXACTLY HOW TO DO THIS. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT ❤❤❤❤

[@paul4365]

Recommend adding the acid to the water, vice water to acid. Safety first, safety always.

[@elmoco1977]

Thanks for this. I did make my own cap because I didn’t want to wait.

[@loubolz]

How?

[@Beh0ldas0n]

Looks pretty simple. I'm going to be doing this tomorrow for a client hoping it goes as smooth as this.

[@SPL]

Pretty easy.

[@MikeB-ir8cn]

I'm a maintenance technician and maintain a apartment complex pool. I inspected my salt cell and it was super calcified. I could not see any of the plates. I did the acid soak for about 20 minutes until the bubbles subsided, then I really blasted it out with a high pressure stream of water. When I reinstalled everything it was like a miracle! I can't speak to my chlorine output yet but my gallons per minute flow rate shot up from about 40 to 60! Also, my pressure on my pentair cartridge filter dropped from around 17 to 12 PSI! Pump. Even sounds like it is quieter and running smoothly. Have you ever experienced this happening? Or am I going crazy? I imagined that maybe it was so plugged up. It would be like a plugged catalytic converter in a car. Maybe causing those pressures to build and my flow to decrease? I don't know. Hopefully it holds because I'm super happy now with the system performance as it sits

[@SPL]

Yes, the return to the pool was slowed down by all the calcium. Seen that.

[@arthurvin2937]

Funny story! Just did 1/2 acid/water soak with DIY cap - basically threaded union glued to flat plastic cover from coffee creamer. Once I lifted it up the glue came loose and splashed acid all over the place including my body and my face. I quickly jumped into the pool. No issues whatsoever, not even a slightest burn.

[@SPL]

Would recommend the OEM cap probably for the next cleaning. Glad you survived! 😜👍

[@joe-serioushoward6201]

Just saw this. DO NOT use a 50/50 mix you will damage the cell. Ask me how I know. Only use 1/4.

[@Rich-fr4zf]

Thanks for all your helpful videos. You are my #1 go-to source for pool tech issues. Just had a quick question: Can this be done WITHOUT having to purchase the specific “acid cleaner” kit? Can I just use a bucket, muriatic acid/water and some household tools?

[@SPL]

Yes, and no. Preferably the cleaning cap since there are a lot of electronics on that cell. It might or might not damage it over time.

[@xeripod]

FYI, scale is typically calcium or magnesium carbonate. When you add the muriatic acid (aka hydrochloric acid), it's liberating carbon dioxide as a gas and you're left with water and calcium chloride. In other words, 2HCl + CaCO3 -> CaCl2 + CO2 (g) + H2O. So the bubbling is carbon dioxide.

[@SPL]

Thanks for the chemistry lesson. Makes sense. 👍

[@xeripod]

I forgot to say....thanks for the video!! :)

[@cmdmd]

Yep

[@tdhoeffel]

Excellent video. Exactly what I needed. How often do ichlor30 need acid washing. I thought that they were self cleaning.

[@SPL]

Thanks! Area dependent really. Here in Los Angeles County, we have hard water. So typically every 3 months. But say in Florida maybe every 6 months.

[@pngexportimport]

Thank you!

[@alexsoto5406]

Hi, I have an IChlor 30, after cleaning the cells (not the first time I do this) the status light keeps flashing green and tye display says Cell. How can I fix this?

[@SPL]

You might have too much salt in the pool.

[@alexsoto5406]

@@SPL The salt level read 3010

[@MatthewDFarley]

Thanks for the help...😁

[@croatiaoutlander5626]

Great video

[@davidchong8964]

did you use an ordinary hose or was more like a power washer? I've had buildup similar to the one you used in the video but simply soaking it doesn't take off nearly as much as yours did.

[@SPL]

It won't be very effective and sometimes you can fog up the glass tile.

[@CSJiGSaW08]

Whats better the Intellichlor or the Ichlor. I'm hearing bad reviews of the Ichlor not lasting or flowing properly with variable speed pumps.

[@SPL]

I think the 2019 batch had some bad flow sensors. But that was fixed in 2020. Check the box for the year made as there are still 2019 models floating around - the iChlor .

[@stanbernstein6564]

@@SPL I had a sensor go bad that was installed 2019. Luckily I still had 3 months left on my warranty and was replaced by Pentair at no cost.

[@commonweakness9060]

I don't have the cleaning cap. is it save to put the whole unit in an acid solution? I'm sure the answer is no, but i thought i would ask. thanks.

[@SPL]

I mean, some people do it. The cap is a smarter way.

[@commonweakness9060]

@@SPL thanks for the reply...i just ordered a cap. better safe

[@ArtDonna84]

Question for you; do you use a respirator when using muriatic acid? If so what level or brand of mask would you suggest. Also, when removing the salt cell, do I need to turn to shut the value off to prevent pool water flowing out? Thank you

[@SPL]

Any N98 mask will work fine. It depends if your equipment is above or below the pool water level. If below turn valve off. If not no need.

[@pennymccormick7698]

I have an ichlor 30 and can’t seem to find the acid cleaning kit anywhere. Does anyone know where I can purchase one for the model I have?

[@SPL]

You can buy this one on AMZ: ATIE Pool Acid Washing Stand GLX-CELLSTAND/520670 IntelliChlor Acid Washing Kit

[@markbrowning5138]

My cell won't display anything AT ALL. It is getting power, and everything at the powercenter IS FINE. Could dirt/calcification cause the cell to appear dead? If so, ill try this....

[@SPL]

Maybe check the fuse in the power center

[@markflores3274]

Good video. Pentair recommends that the ichlor be installed in the vertical plane. do you have any experience with this?

[@SPL]

I've seen it installed both ways without issues. Most of the salt cells on my route are horizontal. You just need to make sure it is perfectly level.

[@markflores3274]

@@SPL Thanks for responding.

[@MusclecarFred]

What if only some plates have calcium buildup. Will cleaning damage the other plates?

[@SPL]

No, it won't damage anything.

[@ottocrg]

Is there a way to replace the cell without having to replace the whole unit? I can’t seem to find the metal cells only. Please advice. Thank you

[@SPL]

got to replace the whole thing.

[@vaibhavc1224]

My ichlor has an error message "AC" on the screen and has flashing red lights... going to try to clean it, not sure what AC means though.

[@kelisue72]

Is the acid and water a 50-50 mix? What is the actual name of the acid you need to use?

[@SPL]

Muriatic Acid 31.45%

[@timmcdonough4278]

My display says cell after cleaning what’s this mean ?? Thank you

[@marineinneed]

That means the cell is bad

[@marineinneed]

Or it needs to be cleaned better

[@TheOhmercy]

Thanks. But stupid question: even with everything closed… the water just drains out of the pool. I guess: plug the input ports? Was that maybe too obvious to mention? Sorry, it’s my first time. 😂

[@SPL]

It sounds like your equipment is below the water level. In that case try putting a tennis ball in the skimmer hole when you do this.

[@Nixeuss]

Hello, thanks for the video. Is it ok to use chlorhydric acid to clean ? Thanks

[@SPL]

Would say it might be too strong.

[@joepawlak8113]

Do you mean Hydrochloric acid? That's the same as muriatic acid.

[@Whoismartriz]

hi i have an Krystal Clear Saltwater Pool System 2 Stage Filter CS8110 15k GAL how do i clean it if i dont have an cap or not the same with yours

[@SPL]

The cap is best but you can unplug it and use a bucket of water

[@rtkiiiprod]

How Often should you do this? My Cell keeps blowing a fuse so I called Pentair support and he asked if i had cleaned the cells. He was thinking the additional buildup could cause the Cell to send a larger load to the power supply and blowing the fuse. Still investigating but I did not even know I was supposed to. At then end of the year the cell still seemed to be working ok chlorine is but I do think the "Cell" light flashed on the last day before we had our guy close up the pool. This will be the 3rd year we open the pool and I do not recall the installers telling us we needed to do this.

[@SPL]

You can try a 15 amp fuse. It won't hurt anything and it might prevent this from occurring as often.

[@chrisvanwilgen5221]

I thought the coms power cable goes direct to pump so it shuts off when pump off, I saw you plugged it into a box, doesnt that mean the SWG is always on ?

[@SPL]

This set up is a bit odd. The power center is wired into the automated system on a relay so it only gives the cell power when the pump turns on. You can wire to the back of a VS pump if there is an AUX relay there.

[@chrisvanwilgen5221]

@@SPL mine is wired in a power center like yours but we don't have and automated system, we've also been told supermax VS pump wont talk to any else, so our pump and swg are lit up 24/7 my electrician is a donkey

[@robertheat8305]

My one union is stuck! Help!

[@brandonkushner7751]

What kind of acid are you using?

[@SPL]

Muriatic Acid

[@bludika]

Can you just use CLR to clean instead of the muriatic acid/water mixture?

[@SPL]

You can use White Vinegar and water. It takes longer but works as well.

[@answernotfound5278]

I have Ben watching you forever

[@SalonSonikPasadena]

Boss!

[@PacificBlueSky1]

Why is it the last tech over tightens the unions? 🤦‍♂️

[@SPL]

You will need to cover the unions with rags and use two large Channel Locks to twist it loose. One gripping it on the other union and one twisting it.

[@PacificBlueSky1]

@@SPL Did 3 cells the next day. Learned something new in each cleaning. Mainly to pour out all the acid from the cell before taking off the cell clean up attachment. Thanks for the podcast and KZbin videos. Really helps this new Pool Guy in Riverside. 👍

[@aln692]

I seem to have my cell light go out every other month. Very annoying

[@SPL]

It does come with a good warranty.

[@damienomen669]

Will the cell light turn red if it needs to be cleaned?

[@SPL]

Usually, yes.