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Hot Tub and Spa Chlorine Generator Maintenance

ColorChlor and TechniChlor Troubleshooting

Difficulty in Tapping

The ColorChlor and TechniChlor have no moving parts, no buttons and no knobs.  To operate you will need to gently tap on the white rubber cap where the cable is. Please follow this procedure to verify tapping is working. The tap location works best at the following spots:

• B: for serial numbers starting with 80. The location is in front of the lights.
• A: All other serial numbers  is on the left side of the lights where the circuit board edge is.

To change or view the power level requires at least one double tap. The most important thing to remember with the double tap is two taps very close together, like a mouse double click.

Not making chlorine during startup

During startup (even with clear fresh new water)  the hot tub or spa water usually has a high organic material content and phosphates leading to a high chlorine demand. Once the spa is balanced the chlorine demand should be lowered so the chlorinator can now make enough chlorine to be measured. Click for more information.

• Phosphate Remover: Removing the phosphates can lower the spas chlorine demand and allow the chlorinator to operate at a lower power level.
• Shock: Removing the organic material  lower the spas chlorine demand and allow the chlorinator to operate at a lower power level.

The salt indication LED color is red while making chlorine and there is enough salt in the water.

If the a green LED while making chlorine means the salt level is high, if blue while making chlorine then the salt level is in range, and if red while making chlorine then the salt level is low. You should always measure the salt level before adding salt and never let it go above 2200 PPM.

1. If the ColorChlor is over a couple years old the plates may be wearing out.  Verify  the salt level is at least 2000 PPM.
2. If there is buildup of calcium or other material between the plates clean the plates.
3. If the water hasn’t been replaced in over 8 months replace the water.

Salt indication LED is blue or green but not making enough chlorine

As time goes on you notice that the ColorChlor or TechniChlor spa chlorine generators are not making as much chlorine as when new and you are having to increase the power levels.  This may also be more noticeable if when you installed your spa chlorinator you started with fresh water. What is likely happening is a buildup of organic material and phosphates in the hot tub water which has increased the chlorine demand of your spa.

• Shock the spa water with either a chlorine free or if you don’t mind adding chlorine a chlorine based shock. We have more information here.
• Other things to try are phosphate removers, enzymes and make sure your ozone generator is working if you have one.

Water Temperature is cold, below 60 f (15.5 c)

If the water temperature is cold remove the ColorChlor from the water and keep in a safe place until you will use the spa again. Chlorine generators do not operate efficiently or at all at low temperatures.

ChlorMaker Inline Chlorinator Troubleshooting

Green Lights Flashing

The ChlorMaker operates on a 3 hour cycle and when it is making chlorine the green generating led will be on, and when in the off part of the 3 hour cycle it will be off. The green check cell can be on as follows.

• On Solid: The salt is low, indicates the current to the plates is less than 1 amp. May not make enough chlorine.
• Off: The current to the plates is between 1 and 2.25 amps. This is the recommended range.
• Slow blinking with generating led on. Still making chlorine and the current is above 2.25 amps. The salt may be high. There is no problem with a high salt level, the ChlorMaker will make more chlorine so make sure to lower the power level if needed.

Generating led off and check cell blinking. The power to the plates has exceeded 2.6 amps and the ChlorMaker has shut off (not making chlorine). The salt is way too high and the system turned off to protect the power supply. Lower the salt level. The ChlorMaker will try to turn on again at the end of the 3 hour cycle.