Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the pH, Rx and amperometric free chlorine sensor-electrodes not calibrated?
The performance of the sensors is directly influenced by many factors such as: Storage, transportation, operation, water chemistry, correct connection, correct calibration solutions, correct calibration steps.
1. Storage. pH and Rx sensors-electrodes should be stored in warehouses in a protective flask with 3M KCl solution, in an upright position at a temperature of +5 - +40°C and relative humidity of no more than 80% at +25°C. Storage period of sensors-electrodes before putting into operation is not more than 6 months, if storage conditions are observed. Amperometric sensor of free chlorine should be stored dry, without water in similar temperature and humidity conditions.
2. Transportation. transportation of sensors should be carried out in the package at ambient air temperature from 0 to +55°C and relative humidity not more than 95% at +25°C. It is not recommended to transport the sensors in weather with negative temperature index, as it can lead to their failure.
3. Operation. When operating the sensors, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for installation. Pay attention to how and where the sampling cell for the Rx and pH electrode sensors as well as the amperometric free chlorine sensor should be mounted. For the amperometric free chlorine sensor, the flow rate through the sensor plays an important role; a high flow rate can damage the platinum coil, which will then not be able to ensure the free chlorine sensor's performance.
4. Water chemistry. The correctness of readings and service life of sensors is also strongly influenced by the chemical composition of water. Special attention and maintenance of the following parameters should be paid to: Hardness - 150 - 300mg/l; Alkalinity - 80 - 120mg/l; Salt content - up to 1000mg/l; TDS - up to 400ppm.
5. Correctness of connection. When connecting the sensors to the unit, refer to the instructions where the polarity of connection is indicated. If the polarity is incorrectly connected, the sensors will not pass calibration. Also it is necessary to be more attentive in which connector, which sensor you connect.
6. Correctness of calibration solutions. Pay attention to the expiration date of the solutions and their color. Calibration solutions will not give correct values if they are expired, if they are frozen, if they are stored in direct sunlight. Also with frequent use, their original color will change, which means that the solutions have been mixed with water.
7. Correctness of actions during calibration. Carefully read the instructions for calibrating the sensors. Often the reason for not calibrating the sensors is incorrect actions.
The instructions describe in detail what and how to do during calibration. If you still have questions, please contact our technical support.
After calibrating the pH or Rx electrode sensors, crosses appeared in the line with current values, how to remove them?
If the electrode sensors are not calibrated, to understand this, crosses appear instead of the current values and the word ok does not appear.
In order to change the crosses to the current values, it is necessary to try again to calibrate the point where the ok sign does not appear.
Until both pH calibration points or one Rx calibration point are calibrated, the crosses will not disappear.
Causes of sensor-electrode not calibrating:
1. Faulty sensor-electrodes.
2. Incorrect calibration steps.
3. Spoiled calibration solutions.
4. Incorrect connection to the control board.
5. Faulty control board.
How do I properly calibrate an amperometric free chlorine sensor?
Calibration of the amperometric free chlorine sensor is performed according to the actual free chlorine content in the swimming pool water.
For this purpose it is necessary to:
1. Bring the water temperature regime to the value with which the swimming pool will be operated.
2. Normalize the hydrogen pH in the range of 7.2 - 7.6. Since the disinfection activity of chlorine is strongly dependent on the hydrogen pH value.
3. Adjust the flow rate through the amperometric sensor according to the operating instructions, referring to the flow indication scale in the sampling cell with pH and Rx electrode sensors.
4. Manually (by adding sodium hypochlorite), controlling with a photometric or colorimetric tester, bring the concentration of free chlorine in the pool water to the value that will be maintained in the future operation. Take water for analysis at the place where water is taken into the amperometric free chlorine sensor!
5. After that you can calibrate the amperometric free chlorine sensor in the calibration menu of the Installation.
How often do the pH, Rx, Cl sensors need to be serviced?
All sensors should be checked for proper operation. At each service, but less than once a month, calibrate the sensors, check readings with a photometer or colorimetric tester, generally monitor their condition to ensure that they are not contaminated and their integrity is not compromised by mechanical impact.
How do I set up the operation of the filtration pump(s) on the units?
In the filtration and heating control panels and in the Autoclean S-Light flushing unit, the operation of the filtration pump(s) can be set using an internal schedule (timer). In all other complete units, the operation of the filtration pump(s) is tied to load selection. When one of the pool loads is selected, the operation of the filtration pump(s) will be as follows: "Public" - 24-hour filtration; "Large" - 7h work + 1h rest (00:00 - 07:00, 08:00 - 15:00, 16:00 - 23:00 work); "Medium" - 5h work + 3h rest (00:00 - 05:00, 08:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 21:00 work); "Small" - 3h work + 5h rest (00:00 - 03:00, 08:00 - 11:00, 16:00 - 19:00 work). It is not possible to reconfigure these schedules. If two filtration pumps are used, their operation is performed alternately. The pump changeover time is set in the device menu.
How do I set the dispense time and the time to stir after dispense?
Dosing time and mixing time after dosing in manual mode are not adjusted. The unit in the process of operation after each dosing automatically analyzes with the help of sensors how quickly the values have changed and how close the value is to the set point and adjusts the chemical dosing time and mixing pause time to these conditions, thus allowing to maintain the set point of the required reagent as accurately as possible.
Why is dosing in manual mode but not in automatic mode?
Dosing of chemicals should only take place when the filtration pump is running. Our units that dosage chemicals into the swimming pool water are divided into those that control the filtration pump and those that do not. Plants that control the filtration pump dosage chemicals only when the filtration pump is running. Plants that do not have the ability to control the filtration pump can dispense chemicals both when the filtration pump is running and when it is not running. By default, in the settings of such units, the condition is set that dosing will not take place without water circulation. In order for the units to understand whether there is water circulation or not, they have contacts for connecting a flow sensor, as well as for connecting a 220V signal from the filtration pump. This function can be disabled in the menu of service settings of the units, but it is necessary to take into account the fact that the unit will be able to dosage chemicals at the moment when the filtration pump is in standby mode or in emergency mode, so there is no water circulation. In this case, when the filtration pump is started, the mixing of pH-corrector and sodium hypochlorite will occur, which is extremely dangerous for human health!
How often do metering pump tubes and injection valves need to be replaced?
During operation, metering pump tubes and injection valves can lose their flow capacity. This can be influenced by operating conditions, chemical quality, human error, and lack of maintenance. 1. The larger the swimming pool volume and the higher the operating loads, the more frequently the metering pumps are activated, and the more wear and tear on the metering pump tubes and injection valves increases. Only use the systems for the type and volume of swimming pools for which they are intended! 2. The chemistry they pump plays an important role in the performance of dosing pumps. If the chemical differs greatly in its concentration from the manufacturer's stated concentration or is not intended for use in swimming pool water, it can also lead to rapid failure of the dosing pump tubes and injection valves. Use only chemicals that are designed for use in swimming pool water and have been proven to work! 3. During operation, make sure that there is chemical in the canister from which the dosing pump draws the chemical. Do not allow dosing pumps to be operated without chemical reagents! This applies especially to the dosing pump that delivers sodium hypochlorite to the swimming pool water. If the sodium hypochlorite runs out of sodium hypochlorite in the tubes and the pump continues to pump, crystals formed in the dosing pump tube can damage it. 4. Regulate
How often do sensors need to be calibrated?
It is recommended to calibrate the sensors at each service, but at least once a month and in case of discrepancy between the values of third-party instruments (photometers, testers) and the values of the Installation with connected sensors, because in the process of operation the sensors undergo natural aging, which leads first to deviations of values, which are removed by calibration, and later to failure.
What causes a drive failure on AUTOCLEAN automatic flushing units?
Actuator failure on AUTOCLEAN automatic flushing units occurs for two reasons:
1. When the unit cannot turn the 6 position valve. This is due to mechanical impact on the valve itself or due to incorrect installation of the automatic flushing unit on the 6 position valve. A mechanical impact is when sand gets into the valve and calcium deposits on the valve body walls. Such moments block the rotation of the position switch and the AUTOCLEAN automatic flushing unit itself.
2. When the unit cannot find the desired position of the 6 position valve. This can occur due to damage to the sensor that signals the stop at the desired position. These sensors are located on the back side of the control board, in the number of 7 or 5 pieces (depending on the modification of the AUTOCLEAN automatic flushing unit). Damage is caused by incorrect installation or by switching on the automatic flushing unit without mounting it on the 6-position valve, which is strictly forbidden.
Before installing and starting the automatic filter rinsing units, make sure to read the operating instructions for them!
