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How to Convert Chlorine Pools to Salt Water Pools (How to convert to a chlorine generator)
First and foremost, a saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool. The salt is added to the pool in the form of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) The salt system takes that salt molecule and converts it into HypoChlorus Acid and sodium. The proper name for a salt system is a chlorine generator, of which there are several brands on the market. The byproduct of the sodium is what makes the water feel silky to the swimmer. The other benefit to the system is that when you superchlorinate the pool to remove chloramine or Combined Chlorine, you revert back to salt in the water saving you from having to add additional salt.
For years, backyard swimming pools have controlled algae and bacteria levels using chlorine-based chemicals that were directly added to the water by broadcasting the chemical manually, using a pool floater, adding sticks directly to the skimmer or using a feeder in the pool equipment room. The chlorine chemicals when dissolved in the pool water regardless of type all turn into Hypochlorus Acid, the same chemical the chlorine generator provides.
Installation of the generator greatly depends on the generator itself. The new Aquapure Ei is the simplest to install, requiring no pvc plumbing, while the others all require modifying the plumbing to one extent or the other.
Things You�ll Need:
- Saltwater generator unit
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PVC glue
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PVC cleaner
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PVC primer
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PVC plumbing fittings
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Saw for cutting PVC
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drill motor and bits
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Screwdrivers
- zip ties
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Salt
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Turn off your pool filtration system by turning off the breaker
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Thoroughly read the instructions enclosed within the Aquapure Ei packaging.
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Locate the best location after your pool heater for the cell to be installed.
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Using the supplied drill bit, drill the hole in the pool return plumbing for the cell.
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Assemble the cell and mount the saddle clamp to the pool plumbing.
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If you are installing the 120 volt version of the Aquapure Ei, repeat steps 3 through 5 to mount the flow switch.
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Mount the control box on the wall in the equipment room
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Connect the wiring between the cell and flowswitch and the control box.
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Using the chart supplied in the Aquapure Ei information and the number of gallons in your pool add the appropriate number of bags of salt to your pool water.
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Turn the pool pump on for the next 24 hours and brush the pool floor to dissolve the salt.
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If you have the 120 volt version of the Aquapure Ei, plug the unit in to a standard wall outlet.
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If you have the 240 volt version of the Aquapure Ei, using the appropriate conduit and connectors and safety considerations, tie the control box in to the load side of your pool filtration pump timeclock, relay or breaker.
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Make the necessary adjustments to the unit to make it operate properly
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Turn off the pool filtration pump at the breaker.
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Unpack and thoroughly read the manufacturer's installation instructions.
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Carefully measure the length of the cell with the unions removed.
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Carefully measure the distance between the full socket depth of the union and the mating flange where the union meets the cell.
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Locate a straight section of pipe after the pool heater where it would be appropriate to install the cell.
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The AutoPilot chlorine generator system has a unique bypass loop that must be installed as opposed to only the cell. Please follow that manufacturer's instructions.
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Some brands of chlorine generators have an additional flow cell to install that needs to be accounted for as well.
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Once the pipe has been located, transfer your measurements to the pipe.
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Carefully cut straight through the pipe using the appropriate saw.
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Making certain that the pipe is dry, apply the cleaner and primer to the cut ends of the PVC pipe and inside the union socket connections.
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Apply PVC glue to the union socket and pipe, mating the two together one piece at a time. DO NOT FORGET THE UNION NUTS!
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After allowing the glue to cure as per the manufacturer's instructions, install the cell between the unions and hand tighten the unions.
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If the generator came with a flow switch, install that now.
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Hang the control box on the wall of the equipment room.
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Connect the wires from the cell and flow switch to the control box.
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Add the appropriate amount of salt to the pool water based upon the chart that comes with your chlorine generator unit.
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Turn on the pool filtration pump for 24 hours and brust the pool bottom to dissolve the salt in the pool water.
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Uing the appropriate conduit, connectors and safety considerations, utilizing the manufacturer's wiring diagram, tie the control box in to the load side of your pool filtration pump timeclock, relay or breaker.
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