It is essential to inspect the cell regularly and clean when necessary. The rate at which deposits will form on
the plates differs with each pool and can be influenced by the following:
• Calcium hardness of the water;
• Water temperature;
• pH control;
• Water which has been chlorinated with calcium hypochlorite for an extended period
• Calcium in the plaster surfaces of a concrete pool.
These conditions can vary a lot. Check the cell at least weekly to begin with to see if any deposits appear on
the plates. You will then be able to determine the cleaning cycle necessary for your pool (obviously more in
summer). The intervals between cleaning could get longer to the point where cleaning is only necessary a
couple of times each year. One exception is the use of bore water or ground water, in which case cleaning
may need to be as frequent as once a week. If the cell remains dormant for a period, or there is evidence of
rust within the cell or on the cell plates, an acid wash clean of the cell is required prior to use of the sanitizing
system (please refer to next section – How to clean your EcoMatic COMM cell).
Life of EcoMatic COMM electrolytic cells will vary substantially from one installation to another due to
variations in operating time, water quality and composition, system and cell maintenance. Please ensure
that when a cell replacement is necessary you use the correct genuine EcoMatic COMM replacement cell to
match your system.
How to clean your EcoMatic COMM cell
First turn off power, then disconnect the cell from the power supply unit and remove from the pool return
line by undoing the unions. Take care not to lose the o-rings and always make sure the pump is turned off.
Always wear personal protective clothing such as rubber gloves and glasses while cleaning your cell.
Method 1: Add 1 part (28% strength) Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid) to 10 parts water in a suitable
container. The cell should be placed on a surface that allows it to be placed upside-down to form a U shape.
The solution can then be poured into the up-turned cell. Take care when doing this as the solution can foam
and create a spill which must be cleaned up by dilution. When clean, the cell should be rinsed thoroughly
with water and the connections should be dried carefully to avoid connector corrosion. It should not take
longer than a few minutes to clean. If it does, the cell should be cleaned more frequently. Return the cell to
its position and re-connect it.
Method 2: As an alternative, an approved commercial cell cleaning solution can be used several times
effectively. Frequent cleaning of cell is required in areas with water containing high iron content.
3% Active
Strength
acid in
water
Day to day operation
• Stabiliser: Measure the stabiliser level using an appropriate test kit. It should be between 25 and 50ppm.
Follow the directions for adding it or load it directly into the pool pump inlets. If there is some stabiliser
present, but it is below 30ppm, add 20ppm to the pool and re-measure the level once it has dissolved.
Then add enough to make up the 50ppm. The amount of stabilizer to add is calculated as follows:
For example: A 50m³ pool has 30ppm of stabiliser present. Adding 1,000g will raise to 50ppm
IMPORTANT: Stabiliser is for use in outdoor pools only. It is used to reduce the loss of chlorine due to the
effect of sunlight. It should not be used in indoor pools as it may adversely affect pool chlorine demand.
Stabiliser is very slow to dissolve and if loaded into the pump inlets it can sit in the filters for several days.
If the filters are backwashed, it will be lost. Monitor the stabiliser after backwashing. Outdoor pool using an
ORP controller, should have stabilizer levels maintained between 15 and 25ppm.
WARNING: Never add water to acid. Always add acid to water
The weak acid solution can be stored in a safe place (where children cannot
access it) and re-used several times before becoming ineffective (saves having
to make the solution each time). Avoid getting the acid solution on skin or in your
eyes. If you accidentally do so, wash off immediately with fresh water (or use the
pool/spa water). Please do not hesitate to contact your EcoMatic dealer for any
assistance regarding 'cell' cleaning.
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