Is it necessary to clean the electrodes of the salt chlorinator

Is it necessary to clean the electrodes of the salt chlorinator? (pool pump)

Most saline chlorinators have self-cleaning cells. The polarity of the current is reversed now and again, with the goal that the earth is detached from the electrodes naturally, thanks to the effect of electrolysis itself. 

Yet, in some cases, lime or other minerals accumulate on the electrodes, forming sediments that cover the metal plates, reducing the creation of chlorine, and the automatic cleaning system of the chlorinator isn't capable of completely cleaning the cell. 

In swimming pools with hard water, especially if well water is used, lime and other minerals rapidly adhere to the electrodes of the chlorinator cell. 

In these cases, it must be checked periodically and cleaned when necessary. It is important to attempt to clean it just with water, to avoid consumption. 

In the event that water alone isn't enough, prepare a container with eight parts water and one part acid (pH-reducing fluid is best), and immerse the cell for three or four minutes. The acid will rapidly attack the lime, breaking it down. 

Cleaning with acid must be done in very specific cases, to prevent the plates from wearing out. The moment they lose their protective bath, they will be damaged in no time, and they are not cheap at all. 

On the off chance that you don't have the foggiest idea how to clean the cell of your salt chlorinator, at Makropiscinas we offer this service, ask for a quote without obligation here. 

How to check that our salt chlorinator is producing chlorine? 

You just have to analyze with a test unit a water sample directly from the impulse jets, and another at the other end of the pool. Make sure the chlorinator is producing 100%. 

The difference must be very evident, showing that the jets bring enough chlorine, which corresponds to that generated by the chlorinator. (zodiac chlorinator)

On the off chance that we don't notice the difference, we should check if the chlorinator is stopped or at the time of measurement it was not producing. 

In very large pools with a great deal of water stream it is more hard to see the difference between the two samples. 

Basically, if all of the above is correct, the installation is working properly. 

Does the pH level influence salt chlorination? 

Regardless of the disinfection method that we use, chlorine tablets, fluid chlorine, saline chlorinator ... water has a degree of acidity which is what gives us its pH. And in swimming pools the pH must be between 7.2 and 7.6, to say that we have healthy water suitable for bathing. With pH above or below we will have problems with disinfection, even if the saline chlorinator works well. 

On the off chance that the levels are higher than recommended (between 7.2 and 7.6), the water will be alkaline; and on the off chance that they are below, acidic. The consequences of an inadequate pH in our pool water are the formation of algae, loss of effectiveness of disinfection treatments, for example, chlorine, consumption and wear of pool elements, for example, ladders, pipes, filter pumps, sand filters. , etc., in addition to causing problems in bathers (skin and eye irritations). 

To control the pH there are a number of easy-to-use devices: measurement packs, test strips, digital readers, electronic meters, etc. 

At Makropiscinas we offer you the chlorine and pH (Oto/Phenol) analyzer pack that allows you to determine the levels of both chlorine/bromine and the pH of the pool at the best price. You can get it here.(κλειδαρας πειραιας)

When the pH is high, it must be reduced with a pH Minor, which is sold in granules or fluid. When the pH is low it must be increased with a pH Increaser, which is sold granulated or fluid. 

The most recommended is to install an automatic pH regulator since, with saline chlorination, the pH tends to rise. You can get it here. 

The pH regulators incorporate a probe that constantly measures the pH value and constantly regulates it by pushing the correction liquid until the desired value is reached. 

What are the consequences of improper maintenance? 

When the salt chlorinator isn't treated correctly, the most widely recognized consequence is that the water isn't properly disinfected. 

This causes skin irritation if the chlorine level is too high, and algae when it is too low. 

High chlorine is a very serious problem because it affects people's health. 

The algae cause expenses in anti-algae, stun chlorine, flocculant, or any chemical that must be added to the water. 

If not removed rapidly, the algae can root on the walls, causing the cement to become permeable and peel off. 

In the case of cleaning the cell incorrectly or abusing acid washes, the electrode will be damaged and it will be necessary to replace the cell, which is generally the most expensive piece of equipment.(hayward pool pump)