What do I need before calling Customer Support? (close)

Before calling Customer Support, please be prepared with:

• model and serial number of your unit
• your salt level test results within the last 30 days
• your pH
• your cyanuric acid/stabilizer lever (sunscreen)
• your hours of operation per day

Location of Serial Numbers

Serial numbers on Cells and Units are located as indicated below, either a Stamped/Written Serial number or a Barcode.

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How many hours do I need to run my AutoPilot? (close)

What should the proper chlorine levels be?

Your Chlorinator is designed to run when your water pump is in operation. It will not produce chlorine if the water is not moving through the system.

You need to ensure that the water pump runs long enough to maintain the correct sanitizer levels as shown below. (A minimum of a four-hour water pump run time is usually required.)

According to the National Swimming Pool Foundation, on a residential pool application the free available chlorine levels should not fall below 1 part per million. (Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, 2006, 2-3)

Ideal chlorine levels range from 2 to 4 parts per million in pools, and from 3 to 5 ppm in spas.

Therefore, you will need to monitor your chlorine levels in your pool and adjust the water pump runtimes accordingly.

What do I do if I don't want to run the pool pump that long?

If the pump is running shorter run times per day, you may need to do the following things to compensate for the higher chlorine needs.

• Increase the purifier output percentage on the chlorinator
• Increase the cell power (These higher levels can decrease the life of your cell)

Do I need to run the chlorinator longer when the water is hot?

Yes. In the summer months, chlorine will be used up quicker. As a result, you will need to increase the time the chlorinator operates or adjust your chlorine output or power levels to compensate.

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How much salt should I add? (close)

Enough for 3000 ppm (parts per million) as a starting point. So depending on the initial salt level of your water, you only add the amount needed to establish 3000 ppm. For new pools or freshly filled pools, the salt level will most likely be zero. In this case, 50lbs of salt per 2,000 gallons of water will establish 3000 ppm. For existing pools, the previous usage of chlorine bleach or tablets will have already introduced a level of salt into the water. Have the water tested first then add the appropriate amount to establish 3000 ppm.

Calculate how much salt is needed

For new pools or freshly filled pools, the salt level may be zero. In this case, 50lbs (23 kg) of salt per 2,000 gallons (7570 liters) of water will establish 3000 ppm (mg/L). Note: Salt content in fill water will very from location to location. Always test the water after initial fill of the pool to determine the salt content and then add the appropriate amount of salt as calculated.

For existing pools, the previous usage of chlorine bleach or tablets will have already introduced a level of salt into the water. Have the water tested first then add the appropriate amount to establish 3000 ppm (mg/L) minimum.

What do I do if I added too much salt?

To reduce the salt level, dilution is the solution. Drain some water and refill with fresh water.

Oversalting will not harm your Pool Pilot system, but will lead to a salty tasting water. For some, this is not undesirable, as it will more closely match our body's natural salinity level, making it more comfortable to swim in. If it is too excessive (over 6000 ppm (mg/L)), you can sustain corrosion damage to metallic equipment such as stainless steel handrails, ladders and filters, light rings, or copper heat exchangers.

How often do I need to add salt?

After the initial dosage of salt, you will only need to add salt when necessary. The most common ways salt is lost is through leaks, rainwater overflow, filter backwashing, and bather splashout/carryout. Normal water evaporation does not lose salt, it increases the concentration. The make up water added to bring the water level back to normal will then reduce the salt concentration back to 3000 ppm (mg/L). The Digital and Soft Touch units both have low salt indicators, with the Digital going further to provide the proper salt amount needed to reestablish 3000 ppm (mg/L) minimum (based upon the programmed pool volume input).

What kind of salt do I use?

It is important to use Sodium Chloride (NaCl) salt that is greater than 99% pure. Common types of salt include granular food grade, water softener pellets or solar salt flakes. These are usually available in 25 lb (11 kg) to 80 lb (36 kg) bags at a local pool or building supply store. Water softener and solar salt will have a slower dissolve rate than food grade salt. Rock salt and granular salt with Iodine or rust preventatives should NOT be used as they contain high levels of impurities that will cause staining.

Note: Granular Salt, Table Salt or Water Conditioner Pellets can also be used but will have different dissolve rates. If the salt you use contains Iodine or YPS (an anti-caking additive), constant brushing will help the dissolve rate and prevent staining due to the additives in the salt. Ensure that the salt you use contains a minimum purity of 99% Sodium Chloride (NaCl).

We recommend the use of AutoSoft Plus^TM Water Conditioning Salt. AutoSoft Plus^TM salt contains 99.8% pure Sodium Chloride (NaCl) without Iodine or the Anti-Caking additive, Yellow Prussiate of Soda (YPS). Iodine and YPS can cause a localized tint to the water or yellow staining on the pool surface finish if allowed to rest un-dissolved on the finish for extended period of time. AutoSoft PlusTM is blended with the proper amount of stabilizer to maintain a proper level within the recommended range when added according to the salt chart in the owner's manual.

(NOTE: Do not use Rock Salt due to its high levels of impurities.)

Where do I put the salt?

What is most important when adding salt is to brush it around until it is dissolved. This is accelerated by turning your pump on, opening the bottom drain and adding the salt over the drain, rather than walking around the perimeter while adding the salt.

It is recommended that you continue to run the pump for 24 hrs so the salt can spread evenly throughout the pool.

If there is no main drain, a vacuum head can be used to circulate the salt. Vacuum the salt, brush it around to agitate, or brush into the main drain (if applicable) to speed up the dissolving process. With Granular salt, 60-70% will have dissolved before hitting bottom. The remaining salt can simply be brushed into the drain, which will then complete dissolution. With all other forms of salt, it will take longer to dissolve but the same process will accelerate the dissolve rate. Simply brush the salt in a pyramid over the drain to increase dissolution.

(Caution: Do not use a pool cleaner or vacuum head with wheels as they can leave track marks on newly plastered pools. Do not allow Granular salt to pile up in one location without brushing as staining may occur.)

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How much Stabilizer should I add? (close)

How much stabilizer is needed?

It is important for outdoor pools to maintain a stabilizer or Cyanuric acid level (CYA) of 60 - 80 ppm for all systems except the Total Control, which should be maintained at 30-50 ppm.

This protects the chlorine from the degradation effects of the sun's UV rays. This is similar to using sunscreen for your chlorine.

With low or no Cyanuric acid it is possible for the chlorine being produced, to be used up just as quickly as it is generated

Some things to note:

• The terms "stabilizer", "CYA", and "Cyanuric Acid" all refer to the same substance.

• Without Cyanuric acid, the cell is forced to run for longer periods of time (with a higher Purifier Output percentage need) in order to maintain chlorine levels, which will deplete the cell faster than normal.

• A reduced level of 30-50 ppm is needed for the Total Control system

• Cyanuric acid is not needed for indoor pools or outdoor pools/spas that are constantly covered. However, it is recommended to add about 15 ppm to avoid corrosion on metals.

• When adding stabilizer it is recommended to premix the stabilizer with water then add into the pool. It is critical to use this method with the Total Control system, as the "acid" from the stabilizer will have a negative affect on the ORP and PH probes. If adding Stabilizer to the skimmer with a standard (not a Total Control) system, do not clean or backwash the filter for several days afterwards as undissolved cyanuric acid will "sit" in the filter until dissolved.

Calculate how much stabilizer is needed

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How do I Calibrate my Chlorinator for salt? (close)

You MUST use a reliable test kit to verify the salt level. Be sure that the pump has been running for several minutes before calibrating the salt display. If the test result is different from the display, recalibrate (in 100 ppm increments) until the unit matches your test result.

This is applicable only to the following units:

• Pool Pilot Professional
• Pool Pilot Digital
• Pool Pilot Soft Touch

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How do I Clean my Cell? (close)

WARNING -- Always use safety precautions when handling acid by wearing rubber gloves and safety goggles.

Clean your cell if the cell blades have any calcium build up as shown below.

Please note: You cannot always see Calcium unless the blades are dry.

The Cap method

1. Turn off your water pump

2. Loosen the unions as indicated on the cell manifold
   
   

3. Remove the cell and place a cap or plug on the end of the cell as shown
   
   Plugs are available at any pool supply warehouse or home improvement store. Ask for a 1.5" MPT clean out plug

4. Fill the capped cell with water 2 inches from the top of the cell blades.

5. Fill the rest of the cell with Muriatic Acid. This allows for an approximate 1 to 4 solution.
   Always add the acid to the water. If you do it the other way around it can cause the solution to spray back at you and cause serious injury.
   

6. Allow the solution to sit in the cell for up to 20 minutes.

7. Safely dispose of the solution. (Putting it back into the pool is recommended)

8. Remove the cap and rinse the cell with light water pressure, inspect, and repeat acid washing if the cell is still scaled.

Once the cell has been cleaned, dry off the cell electrical terminals, reassemble the manifold, and return the system to service. Warning: The electrical terminals must be completely dry to avoid corrosion and failure of the cell or cable.

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