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What is the difference between the different types of swimming pool chlorinators?
Chlorine is the main chemical that is used to sanitise the water in your swimming pool. There are several types of systems available; including tablets that are placed in the skimmer, liquid that is added directly to the water and automatic swimming pool chlorinators. Automatic swimming pool chlorinators are extremely convenient and are commonly used throughout Australia because they offer the latest automated technology to dispense chemicals to keep the water clean.
Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
These units operate by converting saltwater into chlorine gas which is then used to sanitise the water in your pool. They are mini chlorine manufacturing plants which utilise similar technology as the full scale operations. These devices electrolytically convert salt in the pool water into chlorine by passing it over special titanium coated electrode plates. Salt is added to the pool when the water is initially added and needs to be added occasionally to replace the salt that is lost from water being pumped out, splashed out or backwashed. Salt water pool chlorinators generate free chlorine, destroying irritating chloramines while the water is passed through the cell.
The production of chlorine is controlled by the setting of the equipment and the overall operation is controlled with a timer. You will still need to maintain the other pool chemicals to normal levels as with any other pool that is chlorinated.
Some popular brands include:
Davey Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
These are user-friendly and come complete with digital timers that are easy to set. These units are also available with a self-cleaning electrode cell or a non-self-cleaning electrode. These pool chlorinators are easy to operate, are economical and compact, and can safely sanitise your pool water. Choose a unit based on the size of your pool – Installation is easy and these chlorinators also come with a guarantee – 2 years on power supply, three years on electrolytic cell guarantee.
Autochlor Self Cleaning Cell Chlorinators
These swimming pool chlorinators are available in self-cleaning and non-self-cleaning models. When you look through the various models available, those that have “QT” after the model number indicates that it has a battery backup with timer installed. “T” means that there is a timer installed.
Zodiac Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
These chlorinators are simple to operate, easy to install and maintain. There are three different models available, which is dependent upon the size of the pool they will be operating in – compact, mid or large.
Onga Pentair Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
These pool chlorinators feature an extremely compact design that has a sophisticated switch mode which is designed to use up to 60% less electricity. There is a self-cleaning cell with a quartz timer and battery backup. The warranty is two years on the power pack and five on the cell.
Astral Pool Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
These chlorinators are reliable and feature a touch pad control and a self-cleaning cell. There is a timed backwash function and the controls are easy to use. The five year warranty covers the cell, the power pack has a 5 year pro rata warranty. The Astral chlorine and bromine feeder by Hurlcon doses 3.5 tablets.
Which one is best?
There are a wide variety of pool chlorinators on offer, because each pool is different and every person has their favourite or preferred brand. What you need to decide is what type of chlorinator will work best for you based upon how often you use your pool, how large your pool is and what kind of a set up you have for your pool.
If your time is limited, you should consider chlorinators that have timers and have a self-cleaning feature. These will operate according to how you set them up, although you will still need to balance the remaining pool chemicals and ensure that the water is tested on a regular basis to check pH levels.
Why should you use Salt Water Pool Chlorinators?
Salt does not generally need to be added to the water on a regular basis, but this will largely depend upon the use of the pool. If a large volume of water is added (eg with rain or top up by hose) or removed, salt will need to be topped up. Salt systems product chlorine from the salt that is contained in the water and they eliminate the need to add chlorine by hand, which also eliminates the need to store and handle chlorine.
The water in the pool will not taste salty because the concentration of the salt is much lower than that of seawater. The salt water chlorinator operates on a low concentration of salt that can’t be tasted. The real advantage overall is that the water is softer and less harsh than regular pools that do not utilize a salt water chlorination system.
Some people think that a salt water chlorinator can damage their pool equipment, but even though salt water can be corrosive, the concentration of the salt is too low to have any effect on the equipment. The imbalance or improper pH level of a pool can actually cause more damage to the equipment in a pool than the salt water chlorinator.
The main reason for using one of these units is the cost savings. You no longer need to purchase chlorine tablets or liquids. There are some larger expenses associated with the pool chlorinator which include the initial cost and the replacement of the salt cell if it stops working. The life of the average cell is anywhere from 3 – 6 years and can cost several hundred dollars. When you look at the cost of chlorine tabs, the salt water pool chlorinator can definitely save money over time.
The pool maintenance that needs to be done is simplified because the pool is automatically dosed with chlorine regularly. The chlorinator will need to be adjusted to ensure that the chlorine level is within the appropriate or desired range and the salt cell will need to be cleaned regularly.
