Home / Articles / PSC Ep. 53: Recalibrating a Hayward Aquarite Salt Chlorine Generator

PSC Ep. 53: Recalibrating a Hayward Aquarite Salt Chlorine Generator

How do I recalibrate my Hayward Aquarite salt chlorine generator?
Matthew Simmons

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In today’s episode of Poolside Chat, Rob and Matt tackle another common swimming pool question:
  • How do I recalibrate my Hayward Aquarite salt chlorine generator?

Do I need to adjust anything in the Hayward Aquarite control box when I replace the cell?

There are a couple of adjustments that may need to be made. The first is the setting of the cell type. The TurboCell you are installing must match the turbo-cell selected in the control box. For example, if you are installing a T-Cell 15, it should read T15 on the display screen.

If the incorrect cell is chosen, the salt level, amperage, and voltage will not be correct and the system will turn the chlorinator off. To check the cell type on your panel, you’ll need to press the diagnostics button until the T# appears. If it matches, you are good to go. If not, you’ll need to switch the cell setting.

There are three simple steps required to switch the cell setting.

  1. Slide the main switch to the auto position.
  2. Push the diagnostic button until a T number appears on the display.
  3. Move the main switch from auto to super chlorinate and back to auto.

Repeat the third step until the T number on the display matches the T number on your cell.

The other adjustment required will be resetting the average salt level. This is a straightforward two-step process.

  1. Press the diagnostics button five times to display the instance salt level. It will look like a negative number but that dash just means that it is the instant salt level. Wait for the number to stop moving.
  2. Move the main switch from auto to super chlorinate and back to auto. At this point, the average salt level is set and your system is ready to get back to work.

If you have any questions, leave a comment down below or contact us at INYOpools.com. Thank you for joining us.

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9 responses to “PSC Ep. 53: Recalibrating a Hayward Aquarite Salt Chlorine Generator”

  1. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I cannot find the “T” on my AQR? I’m totally new at this but replaced the cell and now I’m getting a flashing check salt level and inspect cell. Both of these lights were steady and I turned off the unit and switched it back on.

    Reply
    1. Ray Avatar
      Ray

      Check the version software you have. If its 1.4 or below there is no setting. The default is T 15. The other cells below 15 will not work. Did you replace the cell you had with the same cell? The newer versions 1.5 can be adjusted to work with any cell.

      Reply
    2. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      What was the number of your old cell? Was it is a Turbo Cell 3, 9, or 15? And what are you replacing it with?

      How old is the salt chlorine generator? Did the previous owners happen to tell you if it was a couple of years old 7-10 years old?

      You may have an old model that is not compatible with smaller cells.

      Reply
  2. Mark Olivieri Avatar
    Mark Olivieri

    Is calibrating the salt level the same process on Aquatrol and Aquarite? I’m seeing different processes for both?

    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      It seems like you already found your answer.

      Reply
  3. Rod Avatar
    Rod

    I have a Aqua Rite Turbo Cell & Control electronics. Before powering off the system and powering it back on the TurboCell Type no longer appears. I can go thru all of the diagnostic settings until it gets to t-xx. It jumps from the software revision to salt level. The t-xx no longer appears as an option. I am not sure if the TurboCell Type is correct. How can I correct this? Is it the circuit board or the TurboCell that needs replacement or repair. The salt level is at 2900 and the two green generating lights are on and no other diagnostics lights are on. If it is the control board, can this be repaired and what do I look for? Your help is appreciated.

    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      How old is your Hayward system? I ask because units made before 2010 only had one option for the cell, the TCELL15. If your system is that old, it never had that “select cell type” feature.

      Reply
  4. trevor thompson Avatar
    trevor thompson

    I have the Aqua rite with t9 cell, about 6 years old. Determined due to error messages that the circuit board needed to be replaced. Bought the Hayward and installed it following video instruction. I’m in Toronto and the pool was just opened 3 days ago. Everything seemed OK but now the settings show no salt, 0 reading, and the check salt light and inspect cell are on and solid. I knew salt level was good as I had added some – pool store read it at 3400. I then cleaned the cell with acid/water even though it was not dirty at all. Still the lights stayed on. How do I know if it is the cell or the Aquarite?

    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      The cell age alone, tells me that you are going to be in the market for a new cell sooner rather than later. Cells generally last 3-5 years.

      The symptoms you are describing are classic “bad cell” alerts.

      Reply

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