RetroJet System Manual
RetroJet System Manual
RetroJet System Manual
MAN0007 1/16
Salt Sanitizing System
for Above Ground Pools
OWNER'S MANUAL
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Table of Contents
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1. Important Safety Instructions
Read and Follow All Instructions
All electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician and conform to all national, state, and
local codes. Improper use or installation can badly harm the unit and its surroundings and void the
warranty.
When installing and using this electrical equipment, basic safety precautions should always be
followed, including the following:
WINTERIZING
If your pool is in a climate where the equipment is winterized, you must winterize the salt cell in the
same way that your other pool equipment is winterized. This includes draining the water from all
equipment and possibly adding antifreeze to the plumbing. It is not necessary to remove the cell
from the plumbing. Many poolowners leave the Power Supply mounted on the wall for winter.
However, removing and storing the Power Supply in a dry location for the winter will extend it's life.
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Section 2. System Overview
Water
Skimmer return
to pool
Power
Electrolytic Supply
Box
Cell
Water
from Filter
pool
Wood
Support
Pump
1. The system has two major parts: the Power Supply and the Electrolytic Cell.
Power supply Box - The power supply converts AC electrical current to a low voltage DC current
which is required by the cell to perform electrolysis. It is recommended to run this device at the same
time as the pump even if connected to a different timer.
Electrolytic Cell - The electrolytic cell contains bipolar electrodes which perform electrolysis and
produce chlorine when energized with DC current. Chlorine is generated as pool water containing salt
passes through the cell. This system AUTOMATICALLY cleans the Cell electrodes. This does not
interrupt the production of Chlorine.
IMPORTANT!
ADD SALT TO THE POOL BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION
Adding the salt to the pool water BEFORE starting the salt system is required. The system could show
error lights on the power supply if there is no salt circulating in the pool water for several hours before
starting the system.
The “Low Salt” light may remain lit for up to 24 Hours until salt is fully dissolved in the water.
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Section 3. Installation Instructions
1. Screwdriver
2. Teflon Tape (included)
1. Locate the return fitting on the OUTSIDE of the pool wall. Secure the Main Elbow Assembly with
Union Nut to the internal threads of the return fitting(Fig.1 & 2). Be sure to use the supplied Teflon tape
for a waterproof connection. Union nut should be positioned towards the ground once secured so that
cell can be attached(Fig. 3).
2. Pick up the cell and make sure the o-ring is in the groove so that water will not leak once attached to
the union nut(Fig. 4). Attach the cell to the union nut(Fig. 5). Make sure the connection is hand tight
and snug.
3. Attach the flex hose to the bottom of the cell and secure using hose clamp(Fig. 6).
5. Run the circulation pump to make sure all fittings are secure and no leaks are present. If leaks are
present, shut down the pump and tighten any loose fittings and make sure unions are secure and o-
rings are in the proper groove.
Internal threads
Outside of
Pool Wall
1 2 3
Main elbow
Return assembly
Fitting w/union nut
O-ring
4 5 6 7
Tighten the
hose clamp
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3.3 Install the Power Supply / Control Box Power Supply Box
Mounting Configuration:
1. The Power Supply Box must be mounted 1
vertically on a flat surface and a minimum of
5 ft (1.5m) horizontal distance (or more, if
local codes require) from the pool/spa.
2. Locate a position for your Box within 8 ft of
where the Cell will be installed and within 6 ft
of the timer box to ensure enough cable is
available. 3
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3. Because the box acts as a heat sink
dispersing heat from inside the box, do not
block the four sides of the Control Box. Do
Not mount the system above a heater or
inside a panel or an enclosed area.
4. If possible, try to mount the power supply out Screws and Anchor
of direct sunlight. Hardware Kit Included
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4. Pool Water Preparation
4.1 Adding the salt
Adding the salt to the pool water BEFORE starting the salt system is required. The system could show error
lights on the power supply if there is no salt circulating in the pool water for several hours before starting the
system.
The “Low Salt” light may remain lit for up to 24 Hours until salt is fully dissolved in the water.
1. Measure the pre-existing salinity of your pool. Previous use of liquid chlorine may have created a residual
level of salt in your pool.
2. Determine how much salt is needed from the pool volume calculator and salinity demand table on the
following pages. This table is based on a salt concentration of 3500 ppm.
3. Keep the circulating pump on.
4. Distribute the determined amount of salt evenly around the pool. To avoid clogging the filter or damaging
the Control Box and pump, do not add salt through the skimmer. Brush the bottom of the pool to help
dissolve the salt.
5. The readout on the chlorine generator may fluctuate until the salt is fully dissolved.
Gallons Liters
(Dimensions in feet) (Dimensions in meters)
Rectangle Rectangle
Width X Length X Average Depth X 7.5 = Gallons Length x Width x Average Depth x 1000 = Liters
Round Round
Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Gallons Diameter X Diameter X Average Depth X 785 = Liters
Oval Oval
Length X Width X Average Depth X 6.7 = Gallons Length X Width X Average Depth X 893 = Liters
Use the above chart to determine the water volume of your pool
15wide x 30long = 450sq ft x 4.5avg depth x 7.5gal per cubic ft = 15,147 gallons
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5. Salinity Demand Table (in lbs.)
Locate the current salt concentration at the top of the chart (e.g. 1000 ppm).Then locate the size
of your pool on the left (e.g. 12,000 gallons). Run these figures down and across until they meet.
That number is the number of pounds of salt required for your pool.
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6. Pool chemistry explained
Salt is the sanitizer source of the Chlorine Generator. The ideal salt level to ensure maximum benefits using our
system is 3500 ppm (parts per million). A low concentration of salt may hinder the generator effectiveness. A
concentration of salt above 5500 ppm may cause corrosion damage to the pool fixtures. See the Adding Salt
section for more information.
Free Chlorine vs. Combined Chlorine: The unpleasant smells and side effects often associated with chlorine are
actually caused by combined chlorine (i.e., chloramines).Combined chlorine is a chlorine molecule that attacks a
noxious particle in the water but is unable to destroy the noxious particle. This chlorine particle remains attached to
the noxious particle until one of the two is burned off; hence the term Combined Chlorine (a.k.a. chloramines). To
burn off the noxious particle and free up the chlorine again, pool owners have to shock (with chlorine) the pool
periodically, but with the Chlorine Generator, the noxious particles are burned off within the Cell and the combined
chlorine is continuously converted back to free chlorine. The free chlorine level in the pool should be maintained at
2 to 4 ppm. This level of free chlorine is comfortable to swim in with no unpleasant smells, and maintains proper
sanitizing power.
pH is a measure of the acidic or basic solution. A scale of 0 to 14 is used to measure pH. Pure water has a pH of
seven (neutral), acid solutions have a pH of less than seven, and basic (alkali) solutions have a pH of more than
seven. The recommended range is 7.2 to 7.6 for pools; chlorine is much more effective within this range and the
water is most comfortable for bathers. pH levels above 7.8 drastically reduce the effectiveness of the chlorine. To
lower the pH, add muriatic acid or dry acid. Be sure to read and follow the respective manufacturer’s instructions.
Total Alkalinity reduces changes in pH. It is often referred to as the “big brother of pH.” Keeping proper levels of
total alkalinity helps reduce unwanted fluctuations in pH levels. Total alkalinity is also used to offset high or low
levels of calcium hardness.
Add muriatic acid or dry acid to lower the total alkalinity and sodium bicarbonate to raise the total alkalinity. Be sure
to read and follow the respective manufacturer’s instructions.
Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid or Conditioner) is necessary in outdoor pools to maintain appropriate levels of
chlorine. Chlorine stabilizer helps provide an appropriate residual chlorine level in the water. Without stabilizer, UV
radiation from the sun destroys most chlorine within 2 hours, but excessive amounts of stabilizer can decrease the
effectiveness of chlorine. Chlorine stabilizer should be maintained at 60 ppm to offset the harmful effect of the sun
while maintaining the effectiveness of the chlorine. Where pH/ORP automatic sensors are used, 40 ppm of
stabilizer suffices. If you have a Salt System, you must use stabilizer!
Phosphates and Nitrates set very high demands on chlorine; most often nitrates and phosphates bring the
chlorine level down to zero (0). You can have your water tested for nitrates and phosphates by the local pool
professional. Your pool should NOT contain Nitrates or Phosphates. To reduce Phosphate levels, use a phosphate
remover from your local pool professional. To reduce Nitrate levels, the pool must be partially or fully drained.
(Please check with your local pool professional prior to draining the pool).
Metals (copper, iron, etc.) can cause loss of chlorine and can stain your pool. If a water test reveals the presence
of metals, refer to your local pool professional for recommended methods of removal. Be sure to use a phosphate-
free metal remover to avoid replacing a metal problem with a phosphate problem.
Calcium Hardness, like pH and alkalinity, affects the water tendency to be aggressive\ or scale forming. Lower
levels of calcium hardness improve the chlorine generator’s ability to stay clean and provide softer silkier water for
the swimmers. Check with your pool professional for proper calcium levels for your pool surface.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a measure of many types of dissolved materials, including salt. High effective
TDS levels (i.e., 1500 ppm and up) cause cloudy water and significantly increase chlorine demand. To obtain the
effective TDS level in a pool using a salt system, subtract the salt level from the TDS reading. (e.g., 5000 TDS –
4000 Salt = 1000 effective TDS).
Saturation Index determines whether the pool water is balanced, aggressive, or scale forming by
comprehensively taking into account all the relevant factors, including pH level, alkalinity level, calcium hardness,
and temperature. These factors should be tested periodically, and then included into the worksheet on the following
page to verify the proper balance of the pool and make adjustments as necessary.
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7. Maintenance
7.1 Maintenance Instructions
It is important to constantly monitor the salt level in your pool for the system to work as efficiently as
possible.
The cell should be monitored monthly to make sure calcium buildup is properly addressed.
Depending on the water quality and hardness, some systems will have to be cleaned more often.
CAUTION:
Do not use metal or other hard objects to clean the cell. Do not insert anything
into the cell. Both of these actions could scratch the precious metal coating on the plates
and void the warranty.
CAUTION:
Always add acid to water, NOT water to acid.
Diluted muriatic acid solution = 1 part acid to 4 parts water
Note: Follow the instructions of the acid manufacturer.
1 2 3 4
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