Chlorinator: Difference between revisions

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Water is pumped out of the solution tank to the pool via a check valve, preventing pressure on the pool return line from forcing water back into the solution tank.

=== Maintenance ===

=== Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ===

In June 2021, a programmable logic controller (PLC) was added to the chlorinator power cabinet to mitigate air lock (loss of prime) conditions.

A call for chlorination provides power to the PLC. When the PLC is powered up, it automatically engages the pump and solenoid (per the high-level cut-off/float switch) by default. If the float switch fails to engage after 10 seconds (indicating a drop in solution tank water level), the chlorinator pump motor is stopped for 10 seconds. During this period, air bleeds from the pump. After the 10 second period has elapsed, the pump is re-started. Testing has shown this to be a highly effective method for restoring pump functionality.

Subsequent checks of switch function occur every 60 seconds (rather than 10 to prevent frequent cycling).

It should be noted that the float switch always controls the solenoid (via the PLC). If the water level is high, the solenoid is disabled to prevent overflow of the solution tank. Lacking a low-level switch, there is presently no means to prevent the pump from running dry. Outside controls (such as verification of bypass line flow in the chemical controller) are used to ensure sufficient water is supplied to the chlorinator to prevent this from happening.

== Maintenance ==

At some point, flow into the chlorinator is restricted by scale build-up on the sieve plate in the solid tablet tank. This may result in prolonged operation upon a call for chlorine, as the water flow rate through the tabs is reduced. When this occurs, cleaning is necessary. It is assumed that cleaning should be performed at least once per season.

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# Use of a hose (again) may be required to fully wash out acid.

# Return the chlorinator to automatic (or off) mode and re-fill with chlorine tabs.

~~=== Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ===~~

~~In June 2021, a programmable logic controller (PLC) was added to the chlorinator power cabinet to mitigate air lock (loss of prime) conditions.~~

A call for chlorination provides power to the PLC. When the PLC is powered up, it automatically engages the pump and solenoid (per the high-level cut-off/float switch) by default. If the float switch fails to engage after 10 seconds (indicating a drop in solution tank water level), the chlorinator pump motor is stopped for 10 seconds. During this period, air bleeds from the pump. After the 10 second period has elapsed, the pump is re-started. Testing has shown this to be a highly effective method for restoring pump functionality.

~~Subsequent checks of switch function occur every 60 seconds (rather than 10 to prevent frequent cycling).~~

It should be noted that the float switch always controls the solenoid (via the PLC). If the water level is high, the solenoid is disabled to prevent overflow of the solution tank. Lacking a low-level switch, there is presently no means to prevent the pump from running dry. Outside controls (such as verification of bypass line flow in the chemical controller) are used to ensure sufficient water is supplied to the chlorinator to prevent this from happening.

== Troubleshooting ==

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 Water is pumped out of the solution tank to the pool via a check valve, preventing pressure on the pool return line from forcing water back into the solution tank.
-=== Maintenance ===
+=== Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ===
+In June 2021, a programmable logic controller (PLC) was added to the chlorinator power cabinet to mitigate air lock (loss of prime) conditions.
+A call for chlorination provides power to the PLC.  When the PLC is powered up, it automatically engages the pump and solenoid (per the high-level cut-off/float switch) by default.  If the float switch fails to engage after 10 seconds (indicating a drop in solution tank water level), the chlorinator pump motor is stopped for 10 seconds.  During this period, air bleeds from the pump.  After the 10 second period has elapsed, the pump is re-started.  Testing has shown this to be a highly effective method for restoring pump functionality.
+Subsequent checks of switch function occur every 60 seconds (rather than 10 to prevent frequent cycling).
+It should be noted that the float switch always controls the solenoid (via the PLC).  If the water level is high, the solenoid is disabled to prevent overflow of the solution tank.  Lacking a low-level switch, there is presently no means to prevent the pump from running dry.  Outside controls (such as verification of bypass line flow in the chemical controller) are used to ensure sufficient water is supplied to the chlorinator to prevent this from happening.
+== Maintenance ==
 At some point, flow into the chlorinator is restricted by scale build-up on the sieve plate in the solid tablet tank.  This may result in prolonged operation upon a call for chlorine, as the water flow rate through the tabs is reduced.  When this occurs, cleaning is necessary.  It is assumed that cleaning should be performed at least once per season.
@@ Line 34: / Line 45: @@
 # Use of a hose (again) may be required to fully wash out acid.
 # Return the chlorinator to automatic (or off) mode and re-fill with chlorine tabs.
-=== Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ===
-In June 2021, a programmable logic controller (PLC) was added to the chlorinator power cabinet to mitigate air lock (loss of prime) conditions.
-A call for chlorination provides power to the PLC.  When the PLC is powered up, it automatically engages the pump and solenoid (per the high-level cut-off/float switch) by default.  If the float switch fails to engage after 10 seconds (indicating a drop in solution tank water level), the chlorinator pump motor is stopped for 10 seconds.  During this period, air bleeds from the pump.  After the 10 second period has elapsed, the pump is re-started.  Testing has shown this to be a highly effective method for restoring pump functionality.
-Subsequent checks of switch function occur every 60 seconds (rather than 10 to prevent frequent cycling).
-It should be noted that the float switch always controls the solenoid (via the PLC).  If the water level is high, the solenoid is disabled to prevent overflow of the solution tank.  Lacking a low-level switch, there is presently no means to prevent the pump from running dry.  Outside controls (such as verification of bypass line flow in the chemical controller) are used to ensure sufficient water is supplied to the chlorinator to prevent this from happening.
 == Troubleshooting ==

Chlorinator: Difference between revisions

Matt Parnell (talk | contribs)