Salt cell not producing chlorine?

Updated: September 27, 2026

A salt generator needs three things to make chlorine: the right salt level, a clean cell, and water that’s warm enough. Check each in turn.

Step by step

1. Check salt against your cell’s rangeHayward’s AquaRite wants 2,700–3,400 ppm with 3,200 optimal. Its CHECK SALT light flashes below 2,700, when the cell is running at low efficiency, and stays on when it has shut down. Pentair’s IntelliChlor wants 3,600–4,500 ppm, shows a red low-salt light below 2,800 and turns off below 2,600. Hayward suggests having the level checked professionally before adding a large amount.
2. Check water flowA cell stops without flow. On the AquaRite a NO FLOW light means the flow switch sees no water and generation has stopped, so check the pump, the filter pressure and any closed valves.
3. Inspect and clean the cellHayward says to inspect every 3 months or after about 500 hours, and Pentair every 2 months, more often with hard water. Rinse with a garden hose first. Acid-wash only when that fails, with 1 quart of muriatic acid added to 1 gallon of water, gloves and eye protection. Hayward notes that scale on the cell points to unusually high calcium.
4. Mind the water temperatureHayward’s AquaRite stops generating below 50°F, which you can override for a day with SUPER CHLORINATE. Pentair’s IntelliChlor switches off at 52°F, give or take 3°F. Supplement with liquid chlorine in cold water.
5. Check the output settingHayward suggests starting around 50% output, testing every few days and adjusting. Chlorine demand rises with temperature, so the setting usually has to go up in mid-summer and down when it cools.

FAQ

Sources

1. Hayward, AquaRite 900 Series Electronic Chlorine Generator manual (092623 Rev D). Salt range and lights, NO FLOW, inspection, acid washing, the 50°F cutoff and output setting
2. Pentair, IntelliChlor IC15/IC20/IC40/IC60 Installation and User’s Guide (P/N 520589 Rev. R, 2023). Salt range, low-salt cutoffs, inspection, acid washing and the 52°F cutoff
3. CDC, Model Aquatic Health Code, 5th edition (2024), Code Language. Sections 5.7.3.1.5.2 and 5.7.3.1.5.3: salt range and plate cleaning per the manufacturer

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