Why Is My Salt System Not Generating Chlorine?

This guide explains the four most common reasons your pool’s salt system is not generating chlorine. We also cover the best ways to troubleshoot those causes.

4 Most Common Reasons a Salt System Is Not Generating Chlorine

Low Flow
Too Low or Too High a Salt Level
Old or Dirty Salt Cell
Water Chemistry Imbalance (Stabilizer)

1. Low Flow Fault

Look for Low Flow Error Code or Fault Lights to be illuminated
With the pump running, inspect the pump strainer for large air bubbles/pockets in the lid
Check filter pressure gauge, for a higher than normal reading.
- Backwash your DE or Sand filter, or clean your cartridge.
If cleaning the filter does not work, try bypassing the filter media. Use the filter’s valve recirculate setting, or remove the filter cartridge from the tank.
- If this corrects the low flow code, it’s likely time to change your sand or deep clean / replace the DE grids or cartridges.

2. High or Low Salt

Confirm the generator’s salt reading, by using salt test strips or getting water sample tested at a pool store.
- Use the My Pool Dashboard to calculate the amount of salt needed to reach the desired salinity level.
if the water tests differ from the cell’s reading, skip to the Inspect Cell Section in this guide.

3. Inspect Cell

Inspect cell plates for calcium scale build-up or corrosion.
Clean cell using muriatic acid.
If the muriatic acid soak does not clear the fault code, you’ll likely need to replace the salt cell.

4. Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) Level Is Too Low

Use pool test strips to measure your water’s stabilizer level
Calculate how much CYA is needed to reach desired 60-80 ppm range, using Inyo’s Cyanuric Acid Calculator feature.

Related Articles – Water Chemistry For Saltwater Pools,

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