AutoPilot vs. Hayward Salt Chlorine Generator:
A Complete Review

Adding a salt chlorine generator to your swimming pool is a great way to improve its water quality. The proper chlorination achieved by a salt chlorine generator eliminates red eyes, damaged hair, and itchy skin. Salt chlorine generators also reduce the need for costly chemicals, and they are energy efficient.

Let us look at two comparable generators manufactured by top manufactures of swimming pool equipment.

AutoPilot Digital Nano
With over half million customers worldwide, AutoPilot has been a leader in chlorine generation since 1976. The Nano unit offers residential customers a system that is perfect for pools up to 28,000 gallons of water (with the included RC-28 patented manifold). With a digital read-out, the Nano displays water temperature, current salt levels, how much salt is needed, purifier production levels, and much more. The display can be programmed to display in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Czech*, or German*.

The Nano also features patented temperature compensation, 24 &amp 72 hour boots cycles, and it operates at salt levels from 2,000 to 35,000 ppm and 2 to 35 g/L, and water temperatures up to 104°F/40°C. Its patented manifold maintains the flow rate from as low as 15gpm to more than 20gpm. It also includes an in-line strainer to protect the tri-sensor and cell from debris.

The AutoPilot Nano comes with an 8,000 amp-hour runtime 2 year warranty for residential units, 1 year for commercial units.

Hayward Salt &amp Swim® 3C
Hayward has manufactured swimming pool products for over 80 years. They greatly expanded their heat pump selection when they acquired the Summit Heat Pump brand in 2008.

The Salt &amp Swim® 3C is a salt chlorine generator system that produces chlorine for pools up to 30,000 gallons of water. The system consists of a control unit and cell (sold separately). The power unit operates with a series of LED’s that indicate if there is a problem with the unit, if the cell life has reached its end, when the unit is generating chlorine, and when it is Super Chlorinating. Problems with water flow are also indicated.

Super Chlorination is typically used when an abnormal number swimmers or high rain amounts have altered the water chemistry, frequently resulting in cloudy water. By generating higher amounts of chlorine for 24 hours, water chemistry is returned to normal. With the Salt &amp Swim® 3C, you can adjust the amount of chlorine that your unit will generate using the plus and minus buttons on the control unit. The system also stops the chlorination process when pool water temperature drops below 50°F. The Super Chlorination process operates in flow rates as low as 15 GPM.

The Hayward Salt &amp Swim® 3C control unit comes with a 3 year limited warranty, and the cell has a 1 year limited warranty.

We are including a chart for your reference with the recommended water chemistry range, suggested test schedules, and corrective actions to help you correct any unbalanced water conditions. Keeping proper water chemical balanced in your swimming pool is imperative for the life of your salt chorine generator system.

Both systems are effective at keeping pool water clear and healthy using salt rather than chemicals. Top-rated companies also manufacture both. One is sure to have the features and performance you are looking for.

If you would like more information regarding the cost comparison between using a salt chlorinator vs. liquid chlorine, please click here.

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