In this "how to" we will guide you through how to install a Hayward Aqua Rite Salt Chlorine Generator. Note: This guide is intended to give you a visual reference to supplement the Hayward owner's manual, not replace it. Make sure you read and understand your owner's manual before installing your unit.
1. Balance the pool water before installing the Aqua Rite Salt Generator. Note: If the pool does not have new water, add one quart of metal remover and one quart of a non-copper based algaecide to the pool.
2. Locate an area on the wall near the equipment for the Hayward Aqua Rite Control. The control must be mounted a minimum of 5' horizontal distance (or more, if local codes require) from the pool/spa. Locate the control box close to the pump timer. Keep in mind that the 15' cable of the salt cell, which will be installed on the return line, must be able to reach the control box. Note: It is important not to block the four sides of the control. DO NOT mount the Aqua Rite inside a panel or a tight enclosed area.
3. Mark the locations for the four mounting screws. The control is designed to mount vertically on a flat surface with the knockouts facing downward.
4. Drill four holes where the mounting screws will be installed. Note: We used a special 3/16" carbide drill bit to drill into the concrete.
5. Install screws (or other hardware appropriate for the mounting surface) through the two mounting holes at the bottom and the top of the Aqua Rite Salt Generator. Note: We used 1/4" x 1-1/4" hex head concrete anchors. Hex head anchors are recommended for better traction when installing into concrete.
6. Your next step is to wire the power cord from the Hayward Aqua Rite panel to the pool timer. When wiring, be sure to follow local and NEC/CEC electrical codes. CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICTIAN IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WORKING WITH POWER. Incorrect wiring can cause dangerous shocks and may void your warranty.
7. Before wiring you will have to check the output power level at the timer going to your pump. It will be either 120VAC or 240VAC. In preparation for measuring your power, TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE TIMER BOX. There should be a circuit breaker before the timer box where the power can be turned off.
8. WITH POWER OFF, remove the cover over the screw connectors inside the timer box.
9. This picture shows the wiring inside the timer box. Three wires come in from the left of the box. Two are labeled INPUT and one GROUND. There are 5 terminals in the timer box. The left most is GROUND. The other four are labeled 1 to 4. The INPUT wires are connected to 1 and 3. The OUTPUT wires to 2 and 4. The OUTPUT wires are currently wired to the pump. Note: The timer pictured is an Intermatic 220v T104 timer. Please refer to your timer's manual for guidance.
10. To measure your voltage level, TURN ON POWER back on at circuit breaker. Set your digital multimeter to 300 VAC and place the meter's probes on the OUTPUT terminals, 2 and 4. It does not matter which probe is placed on which terminal. Be careful not to let the probes short out between two adjacent terminals. The meter should read close to 240VAC if your power is 240VAC - 120VAC if the timer is using 120VAC.
11. TURN OFF POWER at the breaker and replace the cover
12. Now that the voltage has been confirmed, the next step will be wire the Aqua Rite control box to the timer. Open the Aqua Rite control box and remove the two screws that secure the blue cover panel. Remove the blue cover panel.
13. In order to determine the correct wiring connection, refer to the label on the inside door of the Aqua Rite control box. The Aqua Rite is shipped from the factory with the configuration jumpers in the 240V position. Note: If using 120V, move the jumpers to the configuration listed on the wiring diagram.
14. Remove one of the knockouts located near the wiring connections of the Aqua Rite control box.
15. Thread a 1/2" mpt terminal adapter into the knockout of the control box.
16. Feed the cable through the terminal adapter and into the Aqua Rite control box. Note: We used 12-3 AWG cable for this 220v installation.
17. Connect the individual lines to the correct terminals. For 220v, connect the ground line to the green screw, the black to terminal one, and the white to terminal four. For 110, the jumpers most be moved and then the wires can be connected in the same order.
18. Reinstall the blue cover panel onto the Aqua Rite control box.
19. Measure the distance from the Hayward Aqua Rite Salt Generator control box to the timer. Cut a piece of 1/2" electrical conduit to the correct distance.
20. Feed the cable from the Aqua Rite control box through 1/2" conduit. Push the one end of the conduit into the terminal adapter on the control box.
21. Your next step is to wire the power cord from the control box to the timer box as shown. Feed the cable through the adapter terminal. For Intermatic T104 timers, connect the white wire to terminal 2, black to terminal 4, and the ground line to the ground terminal. Note: For different 220v timers or 110v timers, please refer to your timer's manual for wiring instructions.
22. Ground the Hayward Aqua Rite control box. Using an 8AWG conductor, connect the grounding lug on the right side of the Del Eclipse to an appropriate earth contact. Failure to adequately bond your power unit can lead to severe electrical shocks. Note: This bonding wire is installed in addition to your normal grounding process (green wire). You need both per code.
23. Connect the opposite end of the control box ground line to the external ground line of the pump. The external ground line is located on top of the motor. The external ground line for the motor may have a protective green sleeve. Remove an inch of the green sleeve so that the copper line is exposed. The two lines must be touching in order for the system to be properly grounded. Note: We used a copper split bolt to ensure a solid connection between the two lines.
24. The next steps will illustrate how to install the Aqua Rite salt cell and flow switch on the return line. They will need to be installed after (downstream) all the pool equipment (filter, heater, etc.).
25. For most installations, we recommend installing the flow switch after (downstream) of the cell. The flow switch can be installed before or after the cell but there must be 12" of straight pipe before the flow switch. The cell counts as 12" of straight pipe if installed directly before the flow switch.
26. Connect the salt cell and flow switch by gluing a short piece of schedule 40 pipe between the two. Make sure the arrow of the flow switch is pointing in the direction of the flow of the water. Gluing is a two step process. First apply a thin but even coat of purple primer on each surface to be joined: the outside of the pipe and the inside of the union/flow switch. After the primer has dried, apply a thin even coat of glue to both surfaces. Immediately push the pipe all the way into the union/flow switch and twist 1/4 turn to spread the glue. Hold the pipe in place for 30 seconds until the glue sets. Note: 2" pvc will not require a reducer but 1.5" will require a reducer on the flow switch and salt cell.
27. Measure the total length of the salt cell and flow switch. With that measurement, find the correct spot in the return line (after the equipment) and cut out the properly measured section of pvc pipe. Keep in mind that the section of pipe removed should be approximately 2-1/2" shorter than the length of the switch and cell. This takes into consideration that some of the pvc plumbing will slip into the flow switch and salt cell.
28. Glue the salt cell and flow switch into the section of return line that was removed in Step 27.
29. Plug the cable from the flow switch into the jack located at the bottom of the Hayward Aqua Rite control box.
30. Turn on the power to the timer box.
31. This step does not apply to customers installing a T-Cell-15. The Aqua Rite Salt Generator comes from the factory preset for a T-Cell-15. If installing a T-Cell-3 or T-Cell-9, the configuration of the control box MUST BE changed in order to be able to control the correct cell. To do this, place the power switch in the “Auto” position and then press the diagnostic button eight times from the default (salt display) screen. You should see “t-15” displayed. Slide the power switch between the “Auto” and "Super Chlorinate” positions until your particular cell’s number is displayed, then press the diagnostic button one more time to return to the salt display screen. Your Aqua Rite is now configured correctly to operate your particular cell.
32. Plug the cable from the salt cell into the Hayward Aqua Rite control box.
33. The next steps will involve adding the salt to the pool. It is important to use only sodium chloride (NaCl) salt that is greater than 99% pure. This is common food quality salt or water softener salt and is usually available in 40-80 pound bags. DO NOT use rock salt, salt with yellow prussiate of soda, salt with anti-caking additives, or iodized salt.
34. Using a salt water test strip, measure the current salt level of your pool. For the Hayward Aqua Rite generators, the ideal level is 2700-3400 ppm (3200 ppm is optimal). If the level is low, determine the number of gallons in your pool and add salt according to the Salt Table located in the owner's manual. For example, if your pool has 15,000 gallons of water and your current salt level is 0, you need to add 427 lbs of salt.
35. Before adding the salt, move the power switch on the Aqua Rite control box to the "Off" position. Keep this in the "Off" position until the salt is completely dissolved. This may take 24 hours.
36. While the pump is running, walk around the pool and pour in the salt. Brush the salt around to speed up the dissolving process. Run the pump for 24 hours with the suction coming from the main drain (use pool vac if there is no main drain) to allow salt to evenly disperse. Note: For new plaster pools, wait 10-14 days before adding salt. This allows the plaster to cure.
37. After the salt has dissolved and the salt level is between 2700-3400 ppm, move the power switch on the Aqua Rite control box to the "Auto" position.
38. Adjust the "Desired Output %" dial to 50%. Test the chlorine level every few days and adjust the dial up or down accordingly. It usually takes 2-3 adjustments to find the ideal setting for your pool/spa and after that, it should only take minor, infrequent adjustments.
39. A green light next to "Power" and "Generating" will illuminate if everything is working correctly. The installation is now complete. Enjoy your new Hayward Aqua Rite salt chlorine generator!
If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!