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📘 Salt System Troubleshooting Field Guide
Quick resets, common failures, salt ranges, and error code troubleshooting for Jandy AquaPure and TruClear, Hayward AquaRite 900, and Pentair IntelliChlor and IntelliChlor+.
Download PDF (opens or saves the file)Searchable text version of the salt system field guide. Confirm details against the manufacturer's manual. * Low temps can trigger a false low salt error.
Salt systems at a glance
| Model | Salt range | Volts / amps | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jandy AquaPure | 3000–3500 ppm | 22–30V / 4–7A (PLC1400) | Tri-Sensor drift (flow, temp, salt) |
| Jandy TruClear | 3000–3500 ppm | Not displayed | Flow detection (RPM too low) |
| Hayward AquaRite 900 | 2700–3400 ppm (ideal 3200) | 22–26V / 4.5–7.0A | Flow switch not closing |
| Pentair IntelliChlor | 3000–4500 ppm (ideal 3600) | Not visible | Low flow (pump RPM too low for flow switch) |
| Pentair IntelliChlor+ | 3000–4500 ppm (ideal 3600); will not produce over 4000 ppm | 22–30V / 4–8A, depending on model | Incorrect salinity reading |
Jandy AquaPure: reset and error codes
- Quick reset: Pump OFF → Power Center OFF at breaker → 10–15 sec → Pump ON → AquaPure ON.
- Cleaning rule: Only when amps drop or scale is visible.
| Code | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | Low current | If under 4 amps, check and clean the cell |
| 121 | Low current during reverse polarity | Power cycle and clean the cell |
| 123 | Low current, recurring | Check salt. If salt is in range, the cell is bad* |
| 125 | Clean cell | If the cell is clean, the tri-sensor is bad |
| 144 | Low salt* | If salt is in range, the sensor is bad |
| 172 | Flow sensor fault | Boost pump speed and clean the filter. If flow is good, the sensor is bad |
| 175 | Flow sensor fault, recurring | Unless flow, salt, or scale is persistently a problem, the sensor is failing or has failed |
Jandy TruClear: reset and troubleshooting
- Quick reset: Hold BACK 5 sec → SELECT.
- If stuck: full power cycle. TruClear off at breaker, pump OFF, wait 15 sec → pump ON, wait for flow → TruClear ON after flow is established.
- Cleaning rule: Only when output drops or scale is visible.
- Low salt: Check salt. If salt is in range and the error persists, the cell is bad*.
- No flow: Boost pump speed and clean the filter. If flow is good, the cell is bad.
- Check cell: Can be flow, salt, or scale. Inspect all and reset at the breaker if needed.
- Standby 0%: Clean the cell, check flow, check salt. If on automation, check the schedule.
- Cell offline: Check the power cord and cord connection at the power center.
Hayward AquaRite 900: reset, troubleshooting, and changing cell types
- Quick reset: Switch OFF → 10 sec → AUTO → 5 sec → SUPER CHLORINATE → 5 sec → AUTO.
- If stuck: full power cycle. AquaRite off at breaker, pump OFF, wait 15 sec → pump ON, wait for flow → AquaRite ON after flow is established.
- Voltage: High V with low A means the cell is failing. Low V means the board is failing.
- Cleaning rule: When amps drop or instant salt is unstable.
- Low salt (below 2600 ppm*): Check salt. If the reading is different, reset: OFF → hold DIAGNOSTICS → AUTO.
- High salt: Test salt. If in range, confirm the cell type (steps below).
- No flow: Boost pump speed and clean the filter. Check the flow switch cable. If all is good, the flow switch is bad.
- Check cell: Can be flow, salt, or scale. Inspect all and reset at the breaker if needed.
- Inspect cell: Clean the cell, check flow, check salt.
- Cell types: TCELL940 = T-15, TCELL925 = T-9, TCELL520 = T-5, W3TCELL920ABG = T-5, TCELL320 = T-3.
- 1) Flip the switch to AUTO. 2) Press the diagnostic button 8 times until it shows the cell type. 3) Toggle through the cells by flipping the switch from AUTO to SUPER CHLORINATE and back until you reach the correct cell. 4) Press diagnostics one more time to set.
Pentair IntelliChlor: reset and troubleshooting
- Quick reset: Hold MORE + LESS buttons together 5–10 sec.
- If stuck: full power cycle. CELL off at breaker, pump OFF, wait 15 sec → pump ON, wait for flow → CELL ON after flow is established.
- Cleaning rule: When amps drop or scale is visible.
- Red salt light: Check salt. If the reading is different, reset at the cell, then the breaker. Follow the conduit to the transformer and then to the breaker box.*
- High salt (flashing green salt light): Test salt. If in range, reset.
- Red flow light: Boost pump speed and clean the filter. If flow is good, the flow switch is bad.
- Red cell light: Can be flow, salt, or scale. Inspect all and reset at the breaker if needed.
Pentair IntelliChlor+: reset, troubleshooting, and message definitions
- Quick reset: No reset from the display. Full power cycle: CELL off at breaker, pump OFF, wait 15 sec → pump ON, wait for flow → CELL ON after flow is established.
- Cleaning rule: When output drops or scale is visible.
- Low salt: Check salt. If the reading is different, reset the system at the breaker.*
- High salt: Test salt. If in range, reset.
- Red flow light: Boost pump speed and clean the filter. If flow is good, the sensor module is bad.
- Reset HMI: Reset the cell and pump at the breaker. Once SYS OFF/SENS ERR appears, hold INFO+BOOST for 10 seconds. The display should read SPARE. Wait 30 sec. If SPARE does not go away, try again. Inspect the plug at the transformer for corrosion or damage. No improvement means the HMI controller is bad.
| Message | Meaning / what to do |
|---|---|
| ADD SALT | Salt is trending low |
| SYS OFF / SENS ERR | Temporary error while the cell is rebooting |
| SPARE | HMI is ready to pair with the cell after reboot |
| CHECK CELL | Inspect everything |
| CLEAN CELL | Efficiency drop detected. Only clean the cell if scale is present. Can also indicate end of life |
| CELL FAULT | Ensure voltage is in range, check the cable, inspect for scale, reset at the breaker |
| SANITIZER OFF | Inspect everything |
| OUTPUT LIMITED | Low salt, high salt, cold water, or marginal flow |
| CELL RESTING | Polarity reversal. Normal, wait 30 sec |
| NO CELL / CELL NOT DETECTED | Inspect the cable and connection, reset, repair HMI |
⚠️ Professional note
Local codes, licensing, and manufacturer specs govern. Verify ranges against current standards (e.g., your health department, ANSI/APSP/ICC-11, and equipment manuals).
Local codes, licensing, and manufacturer specs govern. Verify ranges against current standards (e.g., your health department, ANSI/APSP/ICC-11, and equipment manuals).