Salt System FAQ’s

Should my water have a salty taste?

Generally if the salt level is within normal range and is not too high, you should not be able to detect a salty taste.

Will I still have to manually shock my pool or use chlorine tablets?

You will no longer need to use chlorine tablets. The salt cell takes the place of a standard chlorinator. You may still need to manually shock the pool, usually less than once a month, as long as the water is balanced and you super chlorinate regularly.

What kind of salt do I use?

The salt is a solar type available at Lusk Pools in 40 pound bags. Salt should be labeled for use in swimming pools and should not contain additives such as iodine which can stain your pool. You should never use rock salt as it contains too many impurities which could damage your equipment.

What is SUPER CHLORINATE?

During the super chlorinate process the system will ignore the current timer setting and chlorine output setting and generate at 100% for 24 hours. It is recommended that you run the super chlorinate at least once a week during the hottest part of the summer.

Why does the inspect cell light keep coming on?

The inspect cell light will come on about every 300 hours of use. This is a reminder to remove the cell and check it for any buildup of calcium. If necessary refer to your manual or contact Lusk Pools for instructions on cleaning the cell. If the light continues to come on after cleaning the cell and resetting the system, bring it to Lusk Pools to have it tested.

Why is there little or no chlorine in the pool?

In some cases, the chlorine level is so high it shows a false low reading, this can happen right after running the super chlorinate. If you have had many people in the pool or it has been a while since the super chlorinate was ran, it may truly be low. If you are unsure take a sample to Lusk Pools for testing, we will verify the chlorine levels as well as the other chemicals and make the recommendations to correct the problem. In many cases the Stabilizer (CYA – Cyanuric acid) level is low so the sun is burning off the chlorine as soon as it is generated.

My system is saying ‘LOW SALT’ and I have added several bags?

It could be that you have not allowed enough time for the salt to dissolve, it is usually recommended to wait 24-48 hours to see an actual change in level. There are things that could be wrong with the system which would cause this to happen. You should take a sample of water to Lusk Pools to have the salt level tested, we will verify the reading and make recommendations based on the findings.

How do I clean the salt cell?

You should always refer to the manual for your system to prevent possible system damage. The instructions we have provided are from the Goldline/Hayward manual.

Turn off the system and close the skimmer and main drain valves before removing the electrolytic cell. Once removed, look inside the cell and inspect for scale formation (light colored crusty or flaky deposits) on the plates and for any debris which has passed through the filter and caught on the plates. If no deposits are visible, reinstall the cell. If deposits are seen, use a high pressure garden hose and try to flush the scale off. If this is not successful, use a plastic or wood tool (do not use metal as this will scratch the coating off the plates) and scrape deposits

off of plates. Note that a buildup on the cell indicates that there is an unusually high calcium level in the pool (old pool water is usually the cause). If this is not corrected, you may have to periodically clean the cell. The simplest way to avoid this is to bring the pool chemistry to the recommended levels as specified. If you are unable to remove the deposits with water or scraping or the buildup is severe follow the steps below to clean the cell using water and muriatic acid.

Mild Acid Washing:

Use only in severe cases where flushing and scraping will not remove the majority of deposits. To acid wash, turn off the system and close the skimmer and main drain valves. Remove the cell from piping. In a clean plastic container, mix a 4:1 solution of water to muriatic acid (one gallon of water to one quart of muriatic acid). ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER -NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and appropriate eye protection. The level of the solution in the container should just reach the top of the cell so that the wire harness compartment is NOT submerged. It may be helpful to coil the wiring before immersing the cell. The cell should soak for a few minutes and then rinse with a high pressure garden hose. If any deposits are still visible, repeat soaking and rinsing. Replace cell and inspect again periodically, the unit will show the ‘INSPECT CELL’ message as a reminder.

Why am I getting a no flow error?

The most common reason for a flow error is that the filter needs to be cleaned or backwashed. Try cleaning or backwashing your filter first. If this does not solve the issue there could be a problem with the flow switch. Locate the flow switch within the plumbing (normally right next to the cell – a tee with a gray wire coming out) follow the gray wire and verify that it is not broken or damaged. The wire has a connector like a phone cord, verify that this is plugged into the salt system control box. If the wire is broken or damaged you will need to replace the flow switch.

Why am I getting a no cell power error?

In most cases the no cell power error indicates that the cell needs to be replaced. We recommend bringing it into Lusk Pools and letting us test it to verify if the problem is in the cell or possibly elsewhere in the system. A few things you can check are listed below.

Check the connection where the cell plugs into the control box. Make sure the power is off before removing or plugging in this cord.
Try resetting the system by turning off the main power breaker to the system for about 1 minute then turning it back on.
Verify the salt level in the water with an alternate tester, sometimes when the salt is too low or high it causes errors.
There is a fuse on the main board inside the unit which can be checked. Turn all power off to the unit. Remove the black face plate and locate the 20 amp (blade type) fuse on the board and verify it is ok. Replace the black cover and restore power.