The Aussie XTreme Chlorinator is an appliance designed for pool and spa maintenance, specifically for generating chlorine to disinfect water. It features a user-friendly control panel with a digital display and several buttons for operation and settings adjustment.
Function Description
The primary function of the XTreme Chlorinator is to produce chlorine for pool and spa sanitation. It operates by passing saltwater through an electrolytic cell, converting the salt into chlorine. The device offers various operational modes to suit different needs, including continuous operation, timed operation, superchlorination, boost, and a dedicated spa mode. It also incorporates a backwash function to simplify filter cleaning.
The chlorinator continuously monitors the water temperature and displays it on the screen, which is crucial for accurate salt measurements. It also provides information on the system's operational hours, cell hours, electrical current polarity, unit size, and software version.
Usage Features
The control panel includes several buttons for easy navigation and setting adjustments:
- ON/OFF Button: Toggles the chlorinator's power when connected to the mains.
- MENU Button: Used to enter or exit the main menu and sub-menus.
- ENTER Button: Confirms selections or settings within the menus.
- MODE Button: Cycles through different operational modes:
- ON: Operates the chlorinator and pump 24/7.
- TIMER: Activates the chlorinator and pump based on pre-set timer blocks.
- SUPERCHLORINATE: Runs the chlorinator and pump at 100% output for 24 hours, then reverts to TIMER mode.
- BOOST: Operates the chlorinator and pump for 6 hours, then reverts to TIMER mode.
- SPA: Sets the chlorinator to 10% output with the pump on, operating 24/7 until manually reset to TIMER mode.
- BACKWASH: Initiates a guided backwash process for the filter.
- SALT Button: Activates the salt measurement function, which also turns on the pump to ensure water flow through the cell and measures water temperature.
- Up/Down Arrows: Used to navigate menus, modify settings, and adjust chlorine output levels.
The main menu allows users to configure various settings:
- CLOCK: Set the time of day (0-24 hours).
- CHLORINE OUTPUT: Adjust the chlorine production level. This can also be done from the main working screen.
- TIMER: Configure specific time blocks for the chlorinator and pump to operate, or for the pump to operate independently. Options include "No operation," "Chlorinator & Pump operation," and "Pump only operation."
- PUMP PROTECTION: Set a duration (3-10 minutes) or turn off this function. It activates when no water flows across the cell/electrode, protecting the pump.
- CELL CLEANING: Adjust the interval between cell reversals. Shorter intervals remove more calcium in high-calcium pools, while longer intervals extend cell life in pools with fewer calcium issues.
- BRIGHTNESS: Dim the backlight of the screen if it's too bright.
- SYSTEM INFO: View operational data such as total power module hours, cell hours, polarity, unit size, and software version.
The backwash function is a guided process:
- Select BACKWASH mode.
- The screen prompts: "SET VALVE TO BACKWASH AND PRESS ENTER."
- Rotate the filter valve to backwash, then press ENTER to start the pump. Dirty water will exit the waste pipe.
- The screen prompts: "PRESS ENTER TO FINISH BACKWASH." Press ENTER once the water is clear to stop the pump.
- The screen prompts: "SET VALVE TO RINSE AND PRESS ENTER." Rotate the filter valve to RINSE, then press ENTER to start the pump for at least 30 seconds or as per filter manufacturer recommendations.
- The screen prompts: "PRESS ENTER TO FINISH RINSE CYCLE." Press ENTER.
- The screen prompts: "SET VALVE TO FILTER AND PRESS ENTER." Press ENTER to complete the backwash, and the chlorinator will automatically revert to TIMER mode.
Maintenance Features
Regular maintenance is crucial for the XTreme Chlorinator's optimal performance and longevity.
Water Quality Management:
Maintaining proper water balance is essential:
- pH: Measure weekly, keeping levels between 7.2-7.8. High pH (above 8.0) reduces chlorine effectiveness. Hydrochloric acid lowers pH, while sodium bicarbonate raises it.
- Stabiliser: Measure 1-2 times per year, especially in summer. Levels should be 20-50 ppm.
- Chlorine (Free Chlorine): Measure weekly, maintaining 2-3 ppm for disinfection. Adjust chlorinator output or pump run time as needed.
- Total Alkalinity: Measure monthly, keeping levels between 80-150 ppm.
- Calcium Hardness: Measure annually, maintaining 150-250 ppm.
Salt Measurement and Management:
- The chlorinator measures salt levels, but it's a guide. For accuracy, pool water samples should be taken to a pool shop or serviced by a technician.
- Recommended salt concentrations: 3500-7000 PPM for Sodium Chloride Salts, and 3500-4000 PPM for Mineral/Magnesium Chloride Salts.
- Water temperature at the cell should stabilize for at least 5 minutes before measurement.
- Salt levels below 2000 ppm cannot be measured, and levels above 8000 ppm will be inaccurate.
- If salt levels are too high (above 7000 ppm), backwash water from the pool and refill to reduce the concentration.
Cell Cleaning:
- The CELL CLEANING setting allows users to adjust the interval between cell reversals to manage calcium buildup.
- If calcium buildup is high, the cell should be cleaned with a 1/9 ratio of Hydrochloric acid and water or a cleaning solution from a pool store.
Troubleshooting:
The manual provides a comprehensive troubleshooting guide for common issues:
- Priming Cell: Ensure the pump is primed, valves are open, and water flows through the cell.
- Chlorine output not reaching 100%: Check salt levels (refer to page 9 for recommendations), water temperature (output drops 2% for every 1°C below 28°C), and calcium deposits on plates (clean the cell). If salt conditions are correct and output is still low, the cell may be at the end of its life.
- Cell Life: Cell life can be extended by adjusting cell reversal times (e.g., 18,000+ hours at 12-hour reversals vs. 13,000+ hours at 4-hour reversals).
- No Chlorine measured: Check pH (add Hydrochloric acid to reduce pH to 7.2-7.8 ppm), stabiliser levels (add Cynuric acid to 20-50 ppm), and ensure the chlorinator operates long enough or at high enough output.
- Salt measurement incorrect/inaccurate: Clean the cell if there's too much calcium. Note that the device offers about 10% accuracy without expensive probes. If the cell is nearing its end of life (over 10,000 hours), measurements will become inaccurate, and a new cell may be required.
- Pump always ON: Ensure the pump is plugged into the chlorinator's 240V socket and the chlorinator MODE is set to TIMER.
- Display not showing temperature: Check for dirty connections; remove and re-install the cell plug/cable after applying a contact cleaner like INOX, WD40, or Vaseline.
- Chlorinator won't go above 80% and displays high salt: This is a protection feature. Discharge water and refill to reduce salt to 6000 mg/L or below.
- Water/Condensation on screen: Allow the chlorinator to operate; moisture will typically expel within 24 hours.
- Error Code 'Terr' (Temperature Error): Check for dirty/loose multi-way connector or sensor failure at the cell.
- Error Code 'Cell EOL' (END OF LIFE): Indicates the cell is nearing the end of its useful life (above 10,000 hours). A new cell will be needed when it can no longer achieve 100% desired salt level.
- Pump Fail: Check if the pump can supply pool water and its operation. If activated, the pump is locked out for 30 minutes; bypass by selecting another mode or resetting power. This can be caused by intermittent stopping, a faulty pump, or overheating.
Installation:
- The chlorinator power module should be positioned at least 1m above ground and 2m from the pool edge.
- Mount the stainless steel bracket to a solid structure and secure the power module with locking clips.
- Protect the module and cell housing from direct sunlight and rain.
- Connect the mains plug from the chlorinator power pack to a RCD Protected 240V mains 10A outlet.
- Connect the cell cable connector to the bottom of the power pack.
- Connect the pump's mains plug to the pump outlet on the bottom of the chlorinator power pack.
Plumbing:
- Plumbing should be done by a qualified plumber or pool technician, or a home handyman with due care.
- Warning: Do not apply priming fluid to the clear cell housing.
- Prime all pipework with high-pressure PVC glue before application, ensuring both surfaces are well coated.
- Piping from the filter to the cell should enter the connection closest to the cell head, where the water sense probe is located. Incorrect plumbing or very low flow rates with variable speed pumps can cause a "Priming Cell" display.
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