Heater failed only 1 month old

[Corvette1984]

 I installed a Saltron mini in February of this year. I had no issues with the Saltron until last month (November). I recently had to replace my 10yr old heater in October as it had a pin hole leak tripping my breaker. I ordered the new heater installed it and 30 days later the breaker was tripping again. I hadn’t  used the tub in a week so I popped open the cover and the water was greenish black, haze on the tub. My filter was full of black ash. I looked at the Saltron and looks like a black burn mark in the side of the tub where it floats. I opened up the cabinet to look inside and the new heater unit was corroded and had leaked from the seals/welds where sensors sit on the pipe. I’m very confused what caused this any help is much appreciated.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Corvette1984
Forgot pics

[RDspaguy]

Was the saltron plugged in to a functional gfci protected circuit? 

Detail your maintenance routine since getting the saltron.

 

 

 

[Corvette1984]

The Saltron is plugged into gfci, but I’m running off a 25 foot  extension cord.

I have only added pool salt to the tub , no additional Chemicals. The Saltron has a light when the levels are too high or low. I noticed a greenish tint to the water right before this problem.

in the past I only used a small amount of bromine and ph balancing chemicals. I would check every two weeks.

[RDspaguy]

3 hours ago, Corvette1984 said:

The Saltron is plugged into gfci, but I’m running off a 25 foot  extension cord.

3 prong cord and working gfci? 

3 hours ago, Corvette1984 said:

have only added pool salt to the tub , no additional Chemicals.

So, you haven't balanced or changed your water since february? Are you testing it? How much salt? What ph? What FC?

 

[ratchett]

On 12/13/2022 at 8:57 AM, Corvette1984 said:

I have only added pool salt to the tub , no additional Chemicals. The Saltron has a light when the levels are too high or low. I noticed a greenish tint to the water right before this problem.

So you aren't balancing water hardness, TA, pH? Not testing phosphates either I'm assuming. That totally looks like you burnt out the salt cell prematurely.

Phosphates come from many sources - soapy suds in bathing suits, lotions on skin, moisturizers, fertilizers on grass, etc so it's not hard for them to build up in the water. Watching your phosphate levels is extremely important when working with any saltwater setup in a hot tub - it will kill a salt cell exponentially faster than normal depending on the concentration of phosphates (with hotspring salt setups, a 4-month cell can be killed in as little as 4 weeks with improper water chemistry).

Also for what it's worth, any salt system is only testing the conductivity of the water between the cells - it is not a true measurement of salt levels or pH (over time the electrodes can build up a calcium layer giving false readings back to the system). From time to time you should confirm the data with a titration drop test kit (for salt setups that would be the Taylor K2006-SALT test kit) to ensure you're not missing something

[Corvette1984]

On 12/12/2022 at 10:33 PM, RDspaguy said:

Was the saltron plugged in to a functional gfci protected circuit? 

Detail your maintenance routine since getting the saltron.

 

 

 

 

On 12/13/2022 at 12:09 PM, RDspaguy said:

3 prong cord and working gfci? 

So, you haven't balanced or changed your water since february? Are you testing it? How much salt? What ph? What FC?

 

I drained and filled the tub when I replaced the heater in November . New filter and I use filtered water to fill

[CanadianSpaTech]

6 hours ago, Corvette1984 said:

filtered water to fill

Through a water softener?

[Corvette1984]

On 12/16/2022 at 4:48 PM, CanadianSpaTech said:

Through a water softener

On 12/16/2022 at 4:48 PM, CanadianSpaTech said:

Through a water softener?

RV hose attachement filter

[RDspaguy]

Both the cell damage and heater damage were likely the result of improper chemical maintenance. 

[cranbiz]

You still have to test the water for PH, TA, CC and FC as well as phosphates.

The Saltron is not a drop and forget device. All it does is replace liquid chlorine addition as the Saltron converts salt to chlorine. You still have to shock, maintain PH and alkalinity.