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How To Troubleshoot a Hayward Aqua Rite

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As with any automatic salt chlorine generator, tune-ups are needed from time to time. Troubleshooting a Hayward Aqua Rite can be quick and simple. By following the steps listed below, the Aqua Rite can successfully be restored.

Click Here to View Hayward AquaRite Parts Listing 



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Steps

Things You'll Need

Aqua Rite Parts

Hayward Aqua Rite Salt System

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Step by Step

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Step 1

No "Power" LED - Check to make sure either 120VAC or 240VAC input power is connected to the proper screw terminals at the Aqua Rite control. Verify input voltage with a voltmeter. If there is input power, the fuse may have blown. The Aqua Rite is protected by a 20 amp mini ATO fuse located on the circuit board above the cell connector.

Click Here to View Replacement AquaRite Main PCB

Click Here to View Replacement AquaRite Display Board 

Step 2

"Generating" LED Flashing - The temperature of the pool water is too high or low to operate. You can override this by switching the main switch to SUPER CHLORINATE. The Aqua Rite will run at maximum output for the remainder of the current pump cycle or 24 hours, whichever comes first.

Step 3

"No Flow" LED Illuminated - The Hayward Aqua Rite has sensed a no flow condition and has stopped generating chlorine. Check that the flow switch is plugged into the connector on the bottom of the control unit and that the wire is not cut or damaged. Make sure you have at least 12" of straight pipe before the flow switch. If there is adequate flow and the LED is still on, check that the arrows on the flow switch (on top of hex) are pointing in the direction of flow.

Step 4

"Check Salt" LED Illuminated or Flashing - Check salt level in pool/spa. If the salt level is low, add salt according to the chart in the owner's manual. Before adding large quantities of salt, it is advisable to have your salt level tested by a professional or with test strips.

Click Here to Find Your AquaRite Replacement Salt Cell 

Step 5

"High Salt" LED Illuminated - With a test kit, check the salt level in pool/spa. If salt level is too high, lower salt level by draining some of the pool water out of the pool and replace with fresh water. Continue until the salt concentration is at recommended levels.

Step 6

"Inspect Cell" LED Flashing - Inspect and clean cell according to directions in the owner's manual. When done, press the "diagnostic" button for 3 seconds to stop the "Inspect Cell" LED flashing.

Click Here to Find Your AquaRite Replacement Salt Cell 

Step 7

"Inspect Cell" LED illuminated - Remove and inspect the cell for scale. If the cell is scaled, follow the directions in the owner's manual for cell cleaning. If the pool has the proper amount of salt and the "Inspect Cell" LED is still illuminated, the cell may be worn and need replacement.

Step 8

"-PCB-" displayed and all 4 red/yellow LED's illuminated. A possible Printed Circuit Board fault has been detected. Call 1-866-772-2100 for service.

Click Here to View Replacement AquaRite Main PCB 

Step 9

Causes for Little or No Chlorine Residual - The Hayward Aqua Rite switch is in the "Off" position. The Desired Output % adjustement setting is too low. The stabilizer (cyanuric acid) level is low. The filter pump time is too short (8 hours is average). The salt level is too high or too low (ideal 3200 ppm). The water temperature is warm and this causes a higher demand for chlorine. The water temperature is too low (below 50ºF) and this causes the Aqua Rite to stop generating. There is excessive scaling on the cell. Note: Any one of these problems will cause a little or no chlorine residual.

Step 10

Aqua Rite Diagnostics Manual - For further diagnostics information and test, here's a link to Haywards' Aqua Rite Diagnostics Manual

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(561 to 590 of 590)

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/17/2015 

not generating - First, hopefully you have a very large pool. 19 40# bags of salt is 760# which is what you would add to a 26,000 gallon pool to go from 0 ppm to 3500 ppm. If your pool is not this large, you probably have too much salt in the pool which will turn off the SCG. If you have a large pool, turn the SCG off another 24 hours and let the salt dissolve more. That's a lot of salt to dissolve.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/16/2015 

My T15 is only 6 months old. New water in the pool. The salt level reads 3400. When I turn on the unit the light comes on the generation light is on for about 1 minute, then all the lights go off. I can turn the unit off wait 30 seconds turn it back on and works again for about 1 minute then turns off. Help
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/16/2015 

Just had aquarite installed. Pump ran for about 12 hours then added 19 bags salt and continued running pump. Started aquaria but check salt light and check cell light is on. The generating light is not on
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/12/2015 

salt level reading wrong - Sounds like a problem with the display PCB. Give Hayward/Goldline a call at 866-772-2100 to confirm.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/11/2015 

Rolan – Not sure which problems you are pointing to but if it’s the “power and generating lights not on” issue, I would suggest the same answer as the comment below yours; ” Sounds like you may need a new display PCB. Verify this with Hayward/Goldline before you buy a new one. Their number is 866-772-2100’.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/11/2015 

My board will not maintain the salt content reading. When I recalibrate the salt level it reads 3300 and will generate fine till it turns off. Then it reverts back to 400. I recal the salt level it reads 3300 again till it turns off. The cell is clean. Also, this is a replacement board that I got off amazon. Very frustrating!

PatO
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/9/2015 

no power or generating lights - Sounds like you may need a new display PCB. Verify this with Hayward/Goldline before you buy a new one. Their number is 866-772-2100.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/9/2015 

I am having the same problems, however we have only had ours for 3 years.
What can we do to fix this problem.
Rolan
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/7/2015 

my display is on but the power and generating light is not on. start up the no flow light comes as it designed to do. what could be going on.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/7/2015 

Stephen - Check to make sure the "FLOW" label on the switch is lined up with the flow of the water. See our guide on "How to Replace an Aqua Rite Flow Switch".
 Reply

 Posted: 5/6/2015 

No Flow LED is still on after replacing flow switch (which had a cut in cord). Bought switch from your company. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/26/2015 

LEDs on/off - Sounds like a loose connection. Recheck both ends of the power cord and the cell cable. Also check for cuts in the lines. One of your PCBs may be going bad but I would suggest calling Goldline/Hayward to be sure. Their number is 866-772-2100.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 4/25/2015 

my Aqua Rite ECG power light and generating lights come on for a few seconds then go off will come back on then off again. I had the salt cell tested at the local pool store and it passed. Not technique skills BUT with power off and removed cover all components seem to be in snug and nothing visibly looks bad. Unit has been in place for 7yrs+ any suggestions would be appreciated

thanks

Robert
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/3/2015 

Help - Sounds like a display PCB problem but I would suggest calling Goldline/Hayward to be sure. Their number is 866-772-2100.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/1/2015 

Having issues with the display on the goldline aquarite electronic chlorinator. The salt reading is way off. Pool place we go to says its 3000', but my display reads 30. It then says to check cell and salt level. I adjusted the cell because a rep from company said air bubbles could cause false readings. What should I do? New main board for display?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 2/20/2015 

power light off - As you say, this is not normal for LED illumination, so I would question if your SCG is producing chlorine optimally. I would suggest calling Hayward at 866 772-2100 to see if you need a new PC board.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 2/15/2015 

may not be a problem but my power light is not on and the chlorinating light stays on all the time even when the amperage cycles off. no other lights are on and the diagnostics all seem to be working fine.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/13/2014 

warnertb - Generally a AquaRite SCG is wired to only monitor system operation and to set itself off if the system operation, like no water flow, is not working correctly. It does not shut down the pump motor. I don't know what the click is in your SCG especially if the unit is turned off. For possible solutions to your motor problem, see our guide on "How To Determine Why a Motor Won't Start or Shuts Off".
 Reply

 Posted: 10/12/2014 

the motor to my pump will not turn on. When I turn it on manually I hear a click in the salt generator box. I turned off the salt generator and still am getting the click. The pump motor will not run. I smell something burned in the panel of the generator. Any ideas? anyone?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/22/2014 

happy - I would suggest calling Hayward/Goldline at 866-772-2100. They will be able to walk you through a more complete troubleshooting sequence.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/21/2014 

the salt display (ppm) keeps get lower from the reading from the pool store. recalibrating has not worked, cell checks out ok. down to replacing either the main board or display board. which one would give me a false reading?
 Reply

 Posted: 7/14/2014 

thank you so very much for the information
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/29/2014 

Salt reading off - You will have to recalibrate your salt level setting. It's simple. See our guide on "How To Recalibrate the Salt Level on a Hayward Aqua Rite" for instructions.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/28/2014 

Salt reading checked at Pool store is always higher that what my read out is on my unit..
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/2/2014 

no chlorine - Recheck the issues in this troubleshooting guide. If that doesn't help, call Hayward direct at 866-772-2100.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/1/2014 

We have a recent installation, unit is not producing chlorine
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/17/2013 

"Inspect cell" LED on - Try holding down the "Diagnostic" button for 3-5 seconds to see if that will reset the light. Have a local pool store independently check your water's salt level to ensure it is within limits. Make sure the wire from the cell is plugged into the digital controller all the way. If this doesn't help, call Hayward tech services at 1-908-355-7995.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 8/17/2013 

Inspect cell light continuous: cleaned cell, reset, light still on.

Installed new cell: reset, light still on. Turned off power to Aqua Rite in hopes for a hard reset. Light still on.

Any help would be appreciated!
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/8/2013 

Aqua Rite -pump issue - If you are still getting power to the Aqua Control Unit and pump when you manually turn off the timer switch, something is wrong with the timer. The timer mechanism does go bad over time. Try replacing the mechanism (the insides) of your timer. Here's a link to the timer mechanism for the most common Intermatic Timer Mechanism Only 220V. You will need to order a different mechanism if your timer is not Intermatic.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/7/2013 

My pump still runs when the timer switch is set to off. What could that be. Last year I replaced the main board because the pump did not run. Now I have the opposite issue.
 Reply