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Salt Systems

Replacing a Salt Cell: Is It Dead, and Which One Fits?

How Pentair and Hayward say to tell a worn cell from a dirty one, which replacement cells match which systems, and where the job becomes electrical work.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The "Search Amazon" buttons and the "Worth a look" links on this page are Amazon affiliate links; we show no prices or ratings. Facts recorded Oct 25, 2026 from the official sources linked on each section. Manufacturer pages and rules change, so check the current version and your model's manual.

Difficulty: diagnosis is easy; cell swaps involve the power center, so read the box below

Safety first: power, flow and acid

  • Pump and power off before you touch the cell. Jandy's replacement steps start with "Be sure pool pump is turned off."
  • Never run a cell without water flow. Jandy warns that operating the cell without circulation can cause a buildup of flammable gases, resulting in fire or explosion.
  • The cell's DC cord connects inside the power center on Jandy AquaPure systems, and Jandy says service "should only be attempted by a qualified Pool Service Professional." Opening a power center is electrical work: use a pro or licensed electrician.
  • Acid cleaning: always add acid to water (Jandy and Pentair); Pentair says 4:1 water-to-acid, never undiluted, no more than 30 minutes, with gloves, eye protection and ventilation.

Sources: Jandy AquaPure/PureLink manual H0325600; Pentair IntelliChlor Plus & LT guide

The question

"My system says Check Cell or low output after cleaning. Is the cell dead, and which cell fits my control box?" First rule out the easy causes in How a salt chlorine generator works: salt level, cold water, flow and scale.

Step 1: is the cell actually worn out?

  • Pentair IntelliChlor Plus/LT: the unit shows "SYS OFF CHK CELL." Pentair recommends an acid clean following the manual. If "Check Cell" is still on after cleaning, "the blades have worn out and need to be replaced."
  • Hayward AquaRite: Hayward's troubleshooting guide walks through salt and "Inspect Cell" checks first. If the cell needs replacement, check the model number and whether it's under warranty, and replace it "with the same model as it had prior," then reset the average salt level.

Source: Pentair IntelliChlor Plus/LT product FAQ; Hayward AquaRite Troubleshooting Guide (2017)

Step 2: match the replacement to your system

Pentair IntelliChlor Plus / LT

From Pentair's IntelliChlor Plus & LT guide and product page. Chlorine production is "based on 100% output level over 24 hours of operation."
Model Cell only Cell + power supply Pool volume (US gal) Chlorine (lb/24 h)
LT15 523741 523744 (with Power Pack) 15,000 0.65
LT25 523747 523750 30,000 0.9
Plus30 523730 523733 30,000 1.1
Plus40 523735 40,000 1.4
Plus60 523738 60,000 2.0
  • Pentair calls the new units a "drop-in replacement for existing Pentair salt chlorine generators, which requires no additional plumbing."
  • Power: the LT15 works with the LT15 Power Pack or the PC100 power center; all other units work only with the PC100. Pentair says all new units connect to the PC100 using the same connector as former iChlor and IntelliChlor units.
  • Pentair's stated warranty: Plus 3 years or 10,000 hours; LT 2 years or 6,000 hours (whichever comes first).

Source: Pentair IntelliChlor Plus & LT guide (Available Models table); Pentair IntelliChlor Plus/LT product page and FAQ

Hayward AquaRite TurboCells

From Hayward's AquaRite Troubleshooting Guide (TSG-AQR159d, copyright 2017). Hayward says to use the GLX-CELL-xx-W number when the cell is under warranty, otherwise the T-CELL-xx number. Confirm the current lineup with Hayward.
Cell Hayward rating AquaRite control software (per Hayward's chart)
T-CELL-3 / GLX-CELL-3-W Residential pools up to 15,000 gal 1.50 or later
T-CELL-5 / GLX-CELL-5-W Residential pools up to 18,000 gal 1.50 or later
T-CELL-9 / GLX-CELL-9-W Residential pools up to 25,000 gal 1.50 or later
T-CELL-15 / GLX-CELL-15-W Residential pools up to 40,000 gal All revisions

After installing, set the AquaRite to the matching cell type (t-15, t-9, t-5 or t-3). Hayward says that if the wrong cell is chosen, "the salt level will be inaccurate and the system will likely suspend chlorination." Hayward's chart also covers other control centers; check it if yours isn't an AquaRite.

Source: Hayward AquaRite Troubleshooting Guide (2017)

Jandy AquaPure / PureLink

  • Jandy says AquaPure cell kits work with the AquaPure Power Pack or PureLink Power Centers.
  • The AquaPure/PureLink manual (H0325600 Rev F, ©2021) lists 3-port replacement cells by union type: R0452300 (7-blade) and R0452400 (14-blade) for cells with universal unions (2"–2½"), each including the cell assembly, O-rings and a 16 ft DC power cord; and R0475300 (APURE700) and R0475400 (APURE1400) for 2" threaded PVC unions. Match the union type and your power center model; ask Jandy if you're unsure which blade count your system uses.

Source: Jandy AquaPure product page; Jandy AquaPure/PureLink manual H0325600, section 9

Step 3: what the swap involves

On Jandy's 3-port cell, the manual's replacement procedure includes turning off the pump, unplugging the DC cable at the cell, disconnecting the DC cord from the wiring harness inside the power center, removing the flow/temp/salinity sensor and the old cell, replacing the union O-rings with the new ones from the kit, and reconnecting everything with the connector fully seated. Because it involves the inside of the power center, follow Jandy's warning and have a qualified pool service professional do it if you aren't one.

Source: Jandy manual H0325600, section 3.7.2

Pentair also says to install the IntelliChlor cell at least 3 ft from the heater outlet, with flow of at least 25 GPM and a bypass above 80 GPM. Pentair product page

What we don't claim

  • Cell life in years or hours beyond each maker's stated warranty terms.
  • That generic or "compatible" cells work the same as the maker's cell. We list only manufacturer part numbers.

Should you DIY? / When to call a pro

Fine to DIY: testing salt, reading error messages, hose-rinsing, acid cleaning only with the maker's steps and PPE, and looking up the right replacement part number.

Call a qualified pool professional or licensed electrician: anything inside the power center or control box, the cell's DC wiring connection on systems where it lands inside the power center, bonding, and new installations.

See our full When to Call a Pro page. Follow your model's manual; this site isn't a substitute for it, and it isn't legal advice.

If your model isn't listed

The numbers on this page come from specific manufacturer documents and models. If your equipment isn't one of them, don't assume the same numbers apply: find the model number on the rating plate, open that model's manual on the manufacturer's site, or contact the manufacturer. You can also email us with the brand and model number.

Facts from the manufacturer (and where else they came from)

Where to look

Cell links are in the “Worth a look” box above; buy cells by the manufacturer part number. These buttons cover testing and safety gear. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.