Self Cleaning

The chlorine generator has titanium plates with a special rare-earth coating that can have a build-up of calcium or other compounds over time. That is because during the electrolysis process current goes in one direction from plate to plate. Chlorine generators with the feature of self cleaning periodically reverse the direction of the current which helps to break up the compounds that have attached to the plates. If the hardness of the water is very high even self cleaning chlorine generators may still need to be cleaned, but not as often as those without self cleaning.

Adjustable Power

Chlorine generators typically operate at full power. To adjust the power they adjust how long they are on. A chlorine generator operating at half power may be on for 12 hours in a day, and off for 12. Chlorine generators without adjustable power usually need a timer added so you can externally control the amount of chlorine produced. Without controlling the chlorine production you can end up with too much chlorine. You can also adjust the chlorine production by increasing/decreasing the salt level but this can be a hassle.

What makes the ColorChlor and TechniChlor different?

Simplicity, economy and pure relaxation are what you can expect from using the ColorChlor. No more driving to the spa store to buy expensive spa chemicals and no constant testing and adding chemicals are needed to keep your spa in an inviting state. You will also find that the water in a ColorChlor treated spa is like nothing you have ever experienced before. Your water will have a silky-smooth feel without offensive chemical smell, and no itchy, dry skin when you get out – these are problems associated with traditional chemical treatments.

What’s wrong with traditional spa chemicals?

When you bathe in a salt water spa , get out, dry off and go about your evening without feeling the need to take a shower.  Your skin, suit and towel will smell as fresh.  Your skin will be silky smooth.

With all that said, here is how you can really start enjoying your spa with minimal effort and pool supplies purchased from any grocery store for a fraction of what you would pay at a spa store.

1. Put a Chlorination system in your spa according to the directions supplied. It is important to start with fresh water and a clean tub in order to obtain the results expected.
2. Add recommended amount of salt to the spa water.
3. Check the alkalinity of your spa water and adjust to 80-120 PPM if needed. This will help maintain optimal pH levels. Common baking soda is all you need to increase alkalinity. If your alkalinity is too high, you can lower it with pH adjustments listed next.
4. Adjust pH. If you needed to add baking soda, wait 2-3 hours before performing this step. To lower pH add small amounts of white vinegar. To bring alkalinity down maintain a pH of 7.0-7.2 for a week and test again. Low pH can also be increased using a small amount of baking soda. The ColorChlor will also slightly increase your pH so as long as it is 7.0 you don’t need to adjust it.
5. Check your water every month and adjust if needed. Every 2 weeks if heavily used.

This is all you will have to do in most cases. Should you experience any difficulties send me an e-mail and I’ll be happy to assist you.

How to use the ColorChlor and it’s blinking user interface.  There really isn’t anything to it.  Even your kids can handle it!

There is also a decent look at just how the light show works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2jVG_bN6nU&eurl=http://www.definitivewatertech.com/&feature=player_embedded

If there is a short power outage, the units will adjust their output to straighten things out when the power comes back on. You can count on them performing this if the power comes back within a half day or so. For longer periods, other precautions and remedies may come into play.

If you know there is going to be an outage and can plan accordingly, pick up a small bottle of liquid chlorine at a local pool store. By adding a large shock right before the power is lost, you will help the warm water to resist the buildup of algae and bacteria. Of course, you should not use the spa during this period. Just let it sit, covered and warm waiting for the power to come back on.

If you didn’t get a warning the power was going out to the spa and chlorinator and will be off for some time (days), we recommend another course of action. You should uncover the spa and try to cool off the water as quickly as possible (cooler water breeds less bacteria) and add liquid chlorine or bleach if you have it around the house. If your outage is being caused by inclement weather, you may not be able to open the cover very far if at all. In this case you may need to add chlorine again later once the water has cooled on its own. Either way once the water has cooled, recover the tub to keep dust and debris from falling in.

Chlorine Generators recycle Salt

The electrolytic cells split ordinary salt into chlorine and sodium. When the chlorine is used, it reverts back to salt and the process begins all over again. Since little salt is used in the process of chlorinating the spa, you don’t have to add salt very often.

And, no more trips to the pool store for spa chemicals! Just pick up some additional salt and baking soda when you visit the grocery store!

Image via Wikipedia

ControlOMatic is in the final test phase of the ColorChlorHP and TechniChlorHP. The HP – High-Power versions of these two salt water chlorine generators add a third titanium plate which nearly doubles the chlorine output. The HP version will easily handle a SPA up to 2,000 gallons and even small pools to 5,000 gallons. The chlorine usage for pools is much less than a SPA’s because of the lower water temperatures. The HP versions will be available in January 2009 and the list price is $475 for the ColorChlorHP and $420 for the TechniChlorHP.

The most common inground spa is tied in with a main pool to share the same filtration and pump equipment. This means that the inground spa will use the same water as the swimming pool. In these cases the ColorChlor will not work as the chlorine generator needs to be able to support the full water volume for both the swimming pool and the in-ground spa.

Portable Spas and Chlorine Generation

What is know as a portable spa is usually made out of fiberglass and is not connected to a swimming pool. The ColorChlor and TechniChlor were designed to support water volumes up to 600 gallons and are a perfect fit for almost all portable spas.

High Tech Spa Accessory

If you are looking for a method to lower spa maintenance and operating costs while greatly improving water quality, then adding a chlorine generator should be your first addition.

Lower Spa Maintenance

By adding a chlorine generator the daily need to measure chlorine and add chemicals will be virtually eliminated.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Adding a chlorine generator can reduce your costs on chemicals by up to $300 and year

The chlorine generators designed by ControlOMatic have been specifically engineered to work with just about any application – new or existing.

A spa installation usually has a voltage of 220 volts to support the water heater. The ColorChlor and TechniChlor operate off a normal outlet ( 120VAC ) and require a GFI. The Spa Install may have included a 120VAC GFI outlet either ender your enclosure or exposed through a weather-proof box. The addition of either a ColorChlor or TechniChlor will be very easy. If the Spa Install doesn’t include this type of an outlet, one will need to be added and you should always have a licensed electrician perform this installation. ]]> http://www.spachlorinator.com/blog/hot-tub/how-does-a-colorchlor-or-technichlor-effect-a-new-spa-install/feed/ 0 http://www.spachlorinator.com/blog/hot-tub/are-you-having-a-spa-problem-or-spa-trouble/ http://www.spachlorinator.com/blog/hot-tub/are-you-having-a-spa-problem-or-spa-trouble/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:04:51 +0000 Administrator http://spachlorinator.com/blog/?p=100 There is a good chance that the spa problem or spa trouble that you are having can be caused by improper chemical balance. If the pH is too high or too low corrosion or scaling can result as well as damage to the equipment.  The most common cause is the extra maintenance and up-keep required is often neglected or ignored by the spa owner.

Chlorine Generators Solve Problems

Chlorine Generators and sanitizers cannot completely replace the need for regular water testing and filtration.  They go a long way in minimizing the amount of time required, though.  In all the cases where a ColorChlor has been added, the spa maintenance has significantly dropped bringing the joy back into the spa experience.

Additionally, no sanitizer can lead to unsafe water or damage to the spa surface or spa finish. They really just don’t work that way.  These are almost always caused by neglect, mismanagement or other forms of abuse.  We always feel sorrow for these situations and quite often offer some support and asisstance.  Please contact us with any questions or concerns.