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32
MAINTENANCE
Water Chemistry
Proper chemical balances are necessary for sanitary
bathing conditions as well as prolonging to life of your
UltraTemp ETi™ Hybrid Heater.
Be sure to keep your chemical and mineral concentration
levels within the values indicated in the table below. Failure
to maintain proper water chemistry may cause damage to
the heater and may void the warranty.
When using a chlorinator, install it down stream from the
heater and at a lower level than the heater outlet. Install
a corrosion resistant positive seal check valve between
the heater and the chlorinator to prevent concentrated
chemicals from back-siphoning into the heater. Back-
siphoning is most likely to occur when the pump stops,
creating a pressure-suction differential.
Note: Do NOT sanitize the pool by putting chlorine
tablets or sticks into the skimmer(s). When the pump
is off, this will cause a high concentration of chlorine to
enter the heater, which could cause corrosion damage
to the heat exchanger.
Three major items that can cause problems with your pool
heater are: total alkalinity, improper pH and disinfectant
residual. These items, if not kept properly balanced,
can shorten the life of the heater and cause permanent
damage. See Table 3.
Table 3: Recommended Water Chemistry Ranges
Test
Free Chlorine or
Bromine
pH
Total Alkalinity (TA)
Calcium, Lithium, and
Sodium Hydrochlorite
Total Alkalinity (TA)
Sodium Dichlor, Trichlor,
Chlorine Gas, and
Bromine Compounds
Calcium Hardness (CH)
Cyanuric Acid
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Copper
* Concentration levels taken from "Basic Pool and Spa Technology"
published by NSPI (National Spa and Pool Institute).
Note: Failure to maintain levels below the top end of these
ranges may result in premature failure of the heat exchanger
and will void the warranty.
ULTRATEMP ETI™ Hybrid Heater Installation and User's Guide
Recommended Level
1.0 to 3.0 ppm (3.0 to 5.0 spa)
2.0 to 4.0 ppm (3.0 to 5.0 spa)
7.4 to 7.6
80 to 100 ppm
100-120 ppm
200 to 400 ppm
30 to 50 ppm
Less than 2000 ppm
0 ppm
Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity is a measurement of the total amount of alkaline
chemicals in the water, and control pH to a great degree. It is
not the same as pH which refers merely to the relative alkalinity/
acidity balance. Your pool water's total alkalinity should be 80
- 100 ppm to permit easier pH control. A total alkalinity test is
simple to perform with a reliable test kit. You will need to test
about once a week and make proper adjustments until alkalinity
is in the proper range. Then, test only once every month or so
to be sure it is being maintained. See your local pool dealer
for help in properly balancing the water chemistry.
Balancing pH
Do not test for pH when the chlorine residual is 3.0 ppm
or higher, or bromine residual is 6.0 ppm or higher. See
your local pool supply store for help in properly balancing your water chemistry.
The term pH refers to the acid/alkaline balance of water
expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 14. Muriatic acid
has a pH of about 0, pure water is 7 (neutral) and weak lye
solution has a pH of 13-14. A test kit for measuring pH balance
of your pool water is available from your local pool supply store.
If pH becomes too high (over alkaline), it has these effects:
1. Reduces the ability of chlorine to destroy bacteria and
algae.
2. Water becomes cloudy.
3. Higher chance of scale formation on the plaster or in the
heat exchanger tubing.
4. Filter elements may become blocked.
If pH is too low (over acid) the following conditions may
occur:
1. Excessive eye burn or skin irritation.
2. Etching of the plaster.
3. Corrosion of metal fixtures in the filtration and recirculation
system, which may create brown, blue, green, or
sometimes almost black stains on the plaster.
4. If you have a sand and gravel filter, the alum used as a
filter aid may dissolve and pass through the filter.
Disinfectant Residual
To neutralize algae and/or bacteria in the pool system
disinfectant must be used. Both chlorine and bromine are
universally accepted and approved disinfecting agents for
control of bacteria and algae.
When chlorine or bromine are added to the system, a portion of
the disinfectant will be consumed in the process of destroying
bacteria, algae and other oxidizable materials. The disinfectant
that is left behind is called either chlorine of bromine residual.
These residual levels must be controlled to assure continuous
kill of bacteria or viruses introduced into the system from
swimmers, dust, rain and/or other sources.
Disinfectant residual can be determined by a reliable test kit
purchased from your local pool supply store.
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