ControlOMatic MegaChlor Installation & Operation Manual page 16

Consistently Low Chlorine
The power level is most likely too low, so simply raise the power level and check for improved results
over the next couple of days (see the Operation section of this manual).
MegaChlor-CD only: If your power level is unexpectedly high, then raising the zero point (see Zero
Point) may also help since the chlorine levels could be getting too low before the chlorine generation
even begins. To prevent over-chlorination, we recommend lowering your power level back down to 3 or
lower before adjusting the zero point (you can always bring back the higher power level over the next
few days if needed).
Consistently High Chlorine
The power level is most likely too high, so simply lower the power level (see Changing the Power Level)
and check for improved results over the next couple of days.
We also recommend checking the salt level of your pool/spa water, both with the salt status lights and
with a test strip specific for sodium chloride (NaCl), which should say 3000-4000 PPM. For bromine, test
for sodium bromide (NaBr) and verify that the test strip says 4500-5000 PPM.
If your salt level is above its respective PPM range, feel free to add some fresh water, to dilute the salt
level back into that range. This is particularly important if the PPM is over 5000, which could damage
your pool or spa over time. If you need to drain water in order to have enough room for the fresh water,
see the bucket test in the first entry in this troubleshooting guide, which will help you estimate how much
to drain.
Here are some guidelines and suggestions for if this is your first saltwater pool or spa: Here are some guidelines and suggestions for if this is your first saltwater pool or spa:
• • Always start out with low salt since it is much easier to add salt than it is to remove it. The Always start out with low salt since it is much easier to add salt than it is to remove it. The
MegaChlor MegaChlor measures the salt level with an electrical current, so water temperature, other measures the salt level with an electrical current, so water temperature, other
minerals, and other factors can affect the measurement, in addition to the salt itself. If there is too minerals, and other factors can affect the measurement, in addition to the salt itself. If there is too
much salt (i.e. when both the Green much salt (i.e. when both the
generation so as not to draw too much current and damage itself. generation so as not to draw too much current and damage itself.
• • Keeping your water balanced is more than just maintaining chlorine: you will also need to Keeping your water balanced is more than just maintaining chlorine: you will also need to
maintain the pH, along with possibly balancing alkalinity, hardness, etc., depending on your water maintain the pH, along with possibly balancing alkalinity, hardness, etc., depending on your water
source. To get more detailed help for your specific water, bring a sample to your local pool and source. To get more detailed help for your specific water, bring a sample to your local pool and
spa store so that they can analyze your water and give you more tailored advice. spa store so that they can analyze your water and give you more tailored advice.
• • If you have a sudden increase in pool/spa usage (i.e. from friends visiting), you may need to If you have a sudden increase in pool/spa usage (i.e. from friends visiting), you may need to
temporarily increase the power level, manually turn on the chlorine generation (Boost temporarily increase the power level, manually turn on the chlorine generation (
shock the water to rebalance after that higher chlorine usage. shock the water to rebalance after that higher chlorine usage.
• • Make sure to occasionally inspect the electrode since some water sources (i.e. ones high in Make sure to occasionally inspect the electrode since some water sources (i.e. ones high in
calcium) can cause buildup inside the electrode, both on the plates and on the wires connected calcium) can cause buildup inside the electrode, both on the plates and on the wires connected
to those plates. This buildup will prevent the electrode from generating chlorine, and could to those plates. This buildup will prevent the electrode from generating chlorine, and could
potentially even short the unit if left untreated for long periods of time. potentially even short the unit if left untreated for long periods of time.
• • The easy fix for the buildup is to unplug the MegaChlor The easy fix for the buildup is to unplug the
acid (e.g. vinegar) for 10-30 minute intervals until the buildup is gone. acid (e.g. vinegar) for 10-30 minute intervals until the buildup is gone.
MegaChlor Manual MegaChlor Manual
Troubleshooting Guide (cont.) Troubleshooting Guide (cont.)
New to Saltwater Pools & Spas New to Saltwater Pools & Spas
Green and and Red Red lights are on), the lights are on), the MegaChlor
MegaChlor and let the electrode soak in a mild and let the electrode soak in a mild
MegaChlor will pause chlorine will pause chlorine
Boost), or even ), or even
16 16