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Why is there no chlorine reading in my salt tub?

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Sammi:

--- Quote from: instanttim on January 25, 2021, 04:57:01 pm ---Any further updates on this? I basically sound like I'm having the exact same problem! Everything tested fine and continues to test fine, but over a period of time the built-in test (which they have told me is just a continuity test?) slowly moves left. Eventually it goes into the red and the salt water system deactivates. At which point I'm left adding chlorine manually ... every day at first and then once it stabilizes a bit then every few days.

The first time it happened, about a month after we got the tub, I ultimately swapped in a new salt system cartridge. The service dept of the store kept saying that wouldn't be necessary and said several things that seemed to be in conflict with the manuals and common sense. Like saying it's "normal" for the chlorine to test very low because the salt water system is cleaning the chlorine out as it goes and it will maintain the tub even if it reads at 0.5 or 1.0ppm.

Everyone else says chlorine is chlorine and it doesn't matter if the salt system is generating it or you're adding it -- it should be able to maintain 3–5ppm once you get the level stabilized by shocking after the initial fill and occasionally thereafter.

Anyway, I swapped the cart and it went back to normal for a couple weeks. Then shut off just like the first time. The tests for salt and the 5-way show everything as being just fine, nothing wrong. I just swapped cartridges again today and it fixed it as well, but at over 200 bucks a pop this can't keep going on every month!

--- End quote ---

Yes still having issues. On my 4th cartridge now in 5 months. Luckily they have all been warrantied out.

A tech came out a couple months ago, high school kid, said I should never run my salt setting past 5 or 6. So I tried that and actually set it at 3 for two different 10 day trips during that time period and got 9 weeks out of that one. It never seems to produce chlorine so I was always adding chemical whether it be chlorine granules or non-chlorine shock. I completely emptied the spa a couple weeks ago and started fresh with new water and a new cartridge.

Every person I talk to at the dealer says something different. Today I was told that having my output at 5 was too low cuz of non-chlorine reading and that I should have it at 9 for daily use. I told the gal that their tech told me to never run it past 5 or 6. I asked her how often her cartridges burn up and she claimed 3-4 months. I test my water daily and the delear tests it weekly.

Basically if I add chlorine after each use I always have a chlorine residual the next day or days later of I havent used the spa when I test it. If I don't add chlorine granules or chlorine enhanced shock after use then my chlorine reading bottoms out at 0 the next day or days after before next use.

Hottubguy:
If you are looking to get a steady chlorine reading you may want to consider disconnecting the ozone system on the tub. With ozone and salt running your water should stay fine but you will never really run a noticeable chlorine level. That’s what I do. But if you are more comfortable being able to see the chlorine level then ditch ozone

instanttim:
Yeah, this sounds EXACTLY like my experience. Different people give different advice, much of which conflicts with the manual and manufacturer.

With the test results what they are, and we both have the ability to maintain the water manually, it really points to a failure of the FreshWater Salt System. Either the cartridge, or something with the internal components.

Check out these reviews on HotSpring.com regarding Freshwater®:

--- Quote ---I have owned the Highlife Envoy for a little over 3 months now and despite all of my water levels checking out perfectly on the strips (normal pH, alkalinity, Hardness, and salt level) the chlorine generator cells keep failing after only 1 month of use. They are supposed to last 4 months and I have now been thru 3 cells in only 3 months which is starting to get incredibly costly! Local dealer came out and couldn’t find anything wrong.

--- End quote ---


--- Quote ---I bought and installed a hot spring salt water spa in December of 2019. My family and I were very excited to have a saltwater system it was exactly what we wanted. Since the install on December we've had nothing but issues with our salt water cartridge which are about $80 a piece. Each cartridge has failed within a month and a half to 2 months, each cartridge is supposed to last 4 months. That being said, I am very disappointed in the quality of hot spring spas.
--- End quote ---

Sounds exactly like my situation... although I'd like to know where that last person is getting cartridges for $80 a piece! I pay about $107 each when I buy them in a three pack.


--- Quote from: Hottubguy on January 26, 2021, 12:46:15 pm ---If you are looking to get a steady chlorine reading you may want to consider disconnecting the ozone system on the tub…

--- End quote ---
I don't have an ozone system on mine fwiw.

Sammi:

--- Quote from: Hottubguy on January 26, 2021, 12:46:15 pm ---If you are looking to get a steady chlorine reading you may want to consider disconnecting the ozone system on the tub. With ozone and salt running your water should stay fine but you will never really run a noticeable chlorine level. That’s what I do. But if you are more comfortable being able to see the chlorine level then ditch ozone

--- End quote ---

I totally understand what you are saying. Every water test I get from the dealer it says to add 1 tablespoon of chlorine. I do but would rather not when my water is clean and clear. 2.5 weeks into my complete drain and refill so my plan with the fresh water is to continue to monitor it daily and layoff the chlorine unless I see the water is clouding up. Ph being high seems to be my biggest daily challenge right now more than anything.

instanttim:
Dealer came yesterday and tested everything, looked at a failed cartridge and said he'd never seen one so pitted and destroyed. The water all checked out fine, he removed some phosphates just to be sure. But everything was within limits and set up correctly. He gave me two replacement cartridges for the two that have failed so far and his working theory is that we haven't seen the end of cartridge failure.

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