Too much chlorine in the pool with a Hayward salt system
Too much chlorine, a fading liner, water that smells strong? Most of the time the percentage is simply set too high. But the percentage dial can also be damaged: a one-minute check tells you.
Applies to: Aqua Rite / AquaRite, Aqua Trol / AquaTrol, Swim Pure and Aqua Nature.
1. Check the switch
On SUPER CHLORINATE (top), the system runs at 100% for 24 hours, then goes back to the percentage. Normally, the switch should be on AUTO (middle).
2. Check the percentage dial
With the switch on AUTO, press Diagnostic 4 times until the value ending with P (for example 30P). Compare it with the dial.
- About the same value: the dial works. The percentage is simply too high: lower it a little at a time.
- A different value, or one that keeps changing: the board needs a repair. It can make far too much chlorine, or not enough.
3. Find the right setting
- The percentage only sets how much chlorine is made per day. Test the chlorine in the morning (the sun destroys some during the day) and aim for about 1 ppm.
- It’s rarely more than 30%, except for a very large pool. Example: 26,000 gallons (100,000 L), T-15 cell, pump 24 h a day: about 20% in peak summer and 15% the rest of the season, even less with a solar cover.
- Keep the pH at 7.4: it slowly rises with a salt system, and at pH 8 it takes 3 times more chlorine.
- A percentage set too high also wears the cell faster.
How much chlorine does your setting make? Pick your cell, the percentage and the pump hours: the calculator tells you in grams, pounds and ppm.
Does your board need a repair?
The P value doesn’t match the dial? We repair original Hayward boards within 1 to 2 business days after we receive them, with a 1-year warranty.
Questions? Call us at 438 448-0782.