PSC Ep. 71: Are T-Cells interchangeable on Hayward AquaRite Systems?

September 19, 2018

< 1 Minute Read

In today’s episode of Poolside Chat, Rob and Matt tackle another common swimming pool question:

Are the T-cells interchangeable on a Hayward AquaRite system? For example, can I replace a T-cell 9 with a T-cell 15, or vice versa?

There are normally two concerns we hear from pool owners when we receive this question: they want to know if replumbing is required and if a different T-cell is compatible with their control box.

Since the cells are of the same length, no replumbing is required. The new cell will connect to the existing unions. No problem.

As far as compatibility, there are some limitations for older AquaRite systems. T-cell 15 will work with all revisions of the AquaRite. However, the T-cell 3, 5, and 9 will only work with revisions 1.5 and higher. You can check their revision by pushing the diagnostic button seven times.

If you decide to change the T-cell, make sure you change the cell type that’s displayed in the control box. Otherwise, the system will receive incorrect salt readings, and it won’t produce chlorine.

To change the cell type in the control box, set the main toggle switch to “auto”. Then press the diagnostic button until the “T” number appears. Slide the toggle switch to “super chlorinate”, and then back to “auto”. The cell type will change. Repeat this process until the cell type in the display matches the new cell type.

If you have any questions, please leave them down below. If you like these videos, please select “like”, and subscribe to Inyo’s YouTube channel. Thank you for joining us.

Matthew Simmons Technical Writer & Pool Product Expert

Swimming pool expert at InyoPools and host of Poolside Chat, brings over a decade of experience in the pool industry.

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52 responses to “PSC Ep. 71: Are T-Cells interchangeable on Hayward AquaRite Systems?”

Tony J

August 28, 2019

Are specs different for the T15 cell than the LS cell? They look identical so I am assuming the difference in units is in the circuit board of the main unit. I have a T15 cell that is brand new, and while the LS cell I have is working well, I wondered if it stopped, could I use the T15 in a pinch?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  August 29, 2019
  
  I have found differing opinions on whether the TCEll15 would be compatible with the low salt units. Because the low salt variety is kind of rare and fairly new there hasn’t been much tinkering with it. There are two routes you can go: call Hayward, the manufacturers to see if they have an opinion, or you could just try plugging it in and see what happens and give us all the answer.
  
  Reply
  1. Tony J
    
    September 11, 2019
    
    Hate being a guinea pig… LOL. I doubt Hayward will advise me to try, rather than buy the LS cell
    
    Reply
Zu Fernandez

July 31, 2019

We have a t-9 right now. Our pool is around 13,500 gallons. Is there a benefit to purchasing the T-9 (25,000 gallon) or can I change it to T-3 (15,000 gallon).

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  July 31, 2019
  
  Each cell size is rated for a certain amount of chlorine it can produce; the larger the cell the more chlorine it can produce in its lifetime. With that said, if you go for the smaller cell, you are going to have to replace the cell sooner, which may end up costing you more money in the long run.
  
  Reply
Steph

July 29, 2019

Hi
We had problems with our cell…
So we bought a new one!
I would like to know if a T Cell 15 is compatible with a older version aqua nature?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  July 30, 2019
  
  There is not much information on AquaNature; but it looks like a private-label version of an AquaRite / AquaLogic system.A couple of questions: is this for an inground or above ground pool? What was the cell part number of the original cell?
  
  In the future, you want to ask “is this compatible” before you purchase the product. Measure twice, cut once.
  
  Reply
Q

July 20, 2019

I had someone install a salt cell but they put in a T-3…when I checked to see what options I had on the board it was only T-5 or T-15…can I set it at T-5?

Reply
1. Q
  
  July 20, 2019
  
  Main software is 2.93, display software is 3.0 , rf base software is r1.20
  
  Reply
2. Matthew Simmons
  
  July 22, 2019
  
  You can, but it isn’t going to have the right voltages, amps, and salt readings to match what the TCELL3 is going to provide it. You should have them put in the same cell you had before.
  
  Reply
Tammie R.

July 7, 2019

I recently purchased a new T-3 cell. When I tried to recalibrate the system and scroll through to the tcell display, it does not appear. I have no idea what the system thinks it is operating on. Why is the display to change the tcell not showing?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  July 8, 2019
  
  If you have an old control box made in 2010 or earlier (I think) they did not have cell options other than the TCELL15. Are you replacing a TCELL3 with a TCELL3?
  
  Reply
Ramin

June 10, 2019

Hi, I am using the low salt system from Hayward the cell number is LS-CUL can I replace it with T-Cell 9 or 15?

Reply
1. Tony J
  
  August 28, 2019
  
  I would like this answer as well as I have a brand new T-15 from the previous system.
  
  Reply
  1. Matthew Simmons
    
    August 29, 2019
    
    If you are still smelling gad a few minutes after making the switch then you should shut it down and get the installation checked by a professional.
    
    Reply
    1. Tony J
      
      September 11, 2019
      
      Not sure what you mean by smelling ‘gad’, sorry. Gas?
      The cells look identical – I assumed that the the differences would be in the logic board and not the cell. I do not want to damage the board or do anything dangerous.
      
      Are the cells interchangable? Thanks
      
      Reply
      1. Matthew Simmons
        
        September 12, 2019
        
        That gas comment was meant for a comment on a different article. I answered your other posting of this same question at the bottom.
Jody

May 12, 2019

My cell voltage is working it’s way up to about 19, the generating light comes on, then the voltage drops to 0, the generating light disappears, and it works it’s way back to 19 again. This is a neverending cycle. Any ideas?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  May 13, 2019
  
  How long does the voltage stay at 19? And, when you say “working up to 19”, is it a slow build up or does it take a few minutes?
  
  Lastly, is the cell generating chlorine?
  
  Reply
  1. Anonymous
    
    May 15, 2019
    
    Voltage only stays at 19 for a second. Probably takes 30 seconds to get to 19. Not generating.
    
    Reply
Anonymous

May 8, 2019

I have a system with a T-5 cell, the brain AquaTrol appears to be working correctly.
The T-5 cells seem to be harder to get, it states my brain is compatible with T-9, T-15.
so I am on auto, push the diagnose button through different setting, but the cell page (8 button pushes) isn’t there.
After the 7th push it goes back the the main salt page reading.
Am I missing something?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  May 9, 2019
  
  The AquaTrol is the above ground salt chlorinator and is only compatible with the TCELL5. In this episode, we are only referring to the inground model, the AquaRite.
  
  Reply
Lisa

April 29, 2019

my pool had a t-3 cell but I accidentally purchased a t-15, can I use it or should I send it back for the correct one?

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  April 29, 2019
  
  As we cover in the video and article, yes it will work with any Aquarite system.
  
  Reply
Allen W. Trammell

September 24, 2018

I replaced my Hayward T15 with new pureline and it came with new screw fittings but i would have to replumb to use them. the Hayward fitting seemed to wirk fine but it apparently backed off and was leaking. i made sure it was not crossfit but when i tightened it the threads are not tight and it acts like it is stripped. Anything I need to do other than rework the plumbing? the new unit did not come with the part that holds the tcell

Reply
1. Matthew Simmons
  
  September 24, 2018
  
  Teflon tape can be used to try to secure the nut in place. Outside of that, I am not sure of anything else that may work other than doing the necessary plumbing to use the fittings that came with the Pureline.
  
  Reply