Pool Water Chemistry, Conditions and Precautions
This section describes the start up procedure and operating instructions for IntelliChlor
CAUTION: The use of dry acid (sodium bisulfate) to adjust pool pH is discouraged especially in
arid regions where pool water is subject to excessive evaporation and is not commonly diluted with
fresh water. Dry acid can cause a buildup of by-products that can damage your chlorinator cell.
Pool Water Chemistry, Conditions and Precautions
1. New Pool Water: A recently filled or newly-refinished pool may contain undesirable matter. This
undesirable matter could interfere with the IntelliChlor SCG's ability to chlorinate properly. Make
sure the water is tested by a pool professional and properly balanced before switching on the
IntelliChlor SCG.
Salt is an inherently corrosive material. While the levels of salt required for proper operation of the
IntelliChlor SCG are relatively low when compared to sea water and other salt solutions, placing any amount
of salt in your pool increases the likelihood of corrosion or other deterioration of pool equipment and any
surfaces used in and around your pool. Metal parts (including steel pools) and certain natural and man-
made surfaces are particularly susceptible to corrosion and deterioration when used in and around salt
water pools. Pentair Water Pool and Spa ("Pentair") does not represent or otherwise guarantee that the
proper use of the IntelliChlor SCG will prevent corrosion or other deterioration of pool equipment and any
surfaces used in and around your pool. Consult your experienced pool professional, who should be able to
advise you on the proper material selection, installation techniques for those materials, and the proper use,
care and maintenance of those materials for your specific pool type and location in order to minimize the
corrosion and deterioration that is inherent in and around salt water pools.
2. Super Chlorination burns out the swimmer waste that has combined with chlorine. This frees the
chlorine for sanitizing. This is accomplished by raising the chlorine level quickly and dramatically.
When the chlorine level is raised to ten (10) times the amount of combined chlorine the pool water is
said to have been super chlorinated. As pool water is continuously passed through the IntelliChlor
SCG while the unit is powered on, the water inside the IntelliChlor SCG is being super chlorinated.
Note: On initial start-up of a pool, it is best to super chlorinate using an outside source, i.e., use
a shock treatment available at your local pool supplier.
3. Chloramines should not be present in pool water. Chloramines are formed when ammonia (which is
found in urine and sweat) combine with free chlorine. This ties up the free chlorine in your pool and
does not allow the chlorine in your pool to disinfect. Chloramines also burn the eyes and are foul
smelling. Super Chlorinate to remove chloramines at the initial start-up of the pool and as needed to
maintain proper levels of free chlorine.
4. Cyanuric acid is needed in outdoor pools to help to stabilize and maintain proper levels of chlorine.
90% of unstabilized chlorine is destroyed by the UV radiation from the sun within two hours.
Cyanuric acid stabilizes chlorine in water from UV degradation. When using the IntelliChlor SCG, the
cyanuric acid level should be maintained between 30-50 ppm. See Table 2, on page 13. NOTE: DO
NOT USE CYANURIC ACID IN INDOOR POOLS.
5. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Adding salt to pool water will raise the TDS level. While this does
not adversely affect the pool water chemistry or clarity, the pool water professional testing for TDS
must be made aware salt has been added to the IntelliChlor SCG system. The individual performing
the TDS test (see page 19) may then subtract the salinity level to arrive at a TDS level that would
be compatible to a TDS reading for a non-salt water pool.
Continue on next page.
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IntelliChlor
Salt Chlorine Generator Installation and User's Guide
Section 2
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SCG.
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