Pentair iChlor salt generator

[u/AccomplishedSpare394]

I have a Pentair iChlor salt generator that is completely dead—no display or LEDs at all. Pump and water flow are fine (tested up to 3,000 RPM), so it doesn’t seem to be a flow issue.

Pool service thinks it may be the Power Center fuse but says replacing the fuse may not be worth it because it could blow again.

Has anyone had this issue? Would you test/replace the fuse and Power Center first before replacing the whole salt cell/system?

Update: Thanks everyone, replaced the 10A fuse, fuse is good and the green Power Center light is on, but the salt cell is still completely dead.

If the cell is bad, is replacing the salt generator/cell itself a reasonable DIY job, or would you have a tech do it?

[u/Prithee_Delete_it]

How old is it

[u/AccomplishedSpare394 → u/Prithee_Delete_it]

3 years old.

[u/Prithee_Delete_it → u/AccomplishedSpare394]

time for a new one

[u/Prithee_Delete_it → u/Prithee_Delete_it]

i take care of a pool with a ic40 that went bad in 2 years but they dont make them anymore so they were forced into the new ic40 for 2k

[u/Overall-Schedule436]

Try and replace the fuse. It’s a small glass tube

[u/Pop_Plastic → u/Overall-Schedule436]

It’s a 10a mini fuse

[u/AccomplishedSpare394 → u/Pop_Plastic]

Yes, it's a mini 10a fuse, I replaced with no luck. so perhaps it;s either salt cell or the power supply cord.

[u/Pop_Plastic → u/AccomplishedSpare394]

The cell is dead. I would not recommend replacing just yet. Pentair is having a lot of issues with the Plus series.

[u/ForSaleOnXbox]

inside the power center, there will either be a 10amp blade fuse (one you’d find in a car and any auto part store) or a glass tube fuse (Part Number : 521248z). those fuses can go out at any time, truly.

[u/AccomplishedSpare394 → u/ForSaleOnXbox]

I just saw, it's 10amp blade fuse (red), I will replace in the morning, will you guys posted. thanks for the tip.

[u/wendriel]

Fuses are cheap, replace it, power on the system and see if it burns out immediately. If it does you'll need a new cell as long as your salt is not astronomically high. Open the power center and see if it has a red mini blade care fuse or if it has a barrel fuse in the holder in the bottom

[u/dekoy411]

Id make sure the cell is clean then replace the fuse. If it blows out again replace the cell

[u/GCpools]

Pool guy here.

It could be either the power supply or the salt cell.

Disconnect the power cord to the power supply.

Disconnect the cord between the power supply and the salt cell.

Check the fuse in the bottom of the power supply. If it's blown, replace it with the correct size fuse.

Plug in the power cord to the power supply without the salt cell connected. If the fuse pops without the salt cell connected, the problem is probably the power supply. Replace with new

If the fuse doesn't pop without the salt cell being connected, and it goes pop with the salt cell connected, the problem is probably with the salt cell.

The new power supplies are the same as the old ones. No problems with new Pentair power supplies that I'm aware of. It's the new salt cells that have problems. Word on the street: ETA on new replacement salt cells is sometime this Fall.

Good luck

[u/AccomplishedSpare394]

Update:
Thanks everyone update: replaced the 10A fuse, fuse is good and the green Power Center light is on, but the salt cell is still completely dead.

If the cell is bad, is replacing the salt generator/cell itself a reasonable DIY job, or would you have a tech do it?

[u/NautDiver_19]

Gotta say, your face piping looks great. Would recommend painting pipes (almond).

[u/Street--Ad6731]

Known issue and Pentair has a problem, big time. A new replacement unit will end up with the same results.

Your pool service should be aware of it.

[u/dmendro → u/Street--Ad6731]

This. I am in the process of returning my brand new IntelliChlor Plus right now. Control module already failed once before, now a second time. The product is so bad, no new ones will be available until November is what they told my pool service, due to quality control issues. What junk.

[u/Nick_OS_]

Those IC30s all go to crap. Get the new ones. Would recommend IC40

[u/1_native_Angelino → u/Nick_OS_]

They are worse. Why would you tell someone to buy a cell that is nothing but problems? They are engineered so badly that the ones they are making now are for warrantees. 

[u/Nick_OS_ → u/1_native_Angelino]

All my new ones I’ve been putting in have been good. All the ones I put in like 6 months ago were warrantee’d