Waterco Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator
Verified4 reviews
I realized this is the same chlorinator that I reviewed under another brand, still being sold online by swimart, even though my local swimart said they no longer carried our chlorinator: https://swimart.com.au/product/electrochlor-mineral-chlorinator/ The "new" version still suffers from the same main problem, namely requiring 30% more salt than others to keep the chlorine levels reasonable (see the screenshot of the "new" brochure). Since I wrote the below, keeping the salt levels so high has obliged me to buy cheaper salt, because there has been a shortage in the area, and now my pool has mineral stains. This is why I've downgraded my review rating from 2 stars to 1. I wouldn't buy this chlorinator. Period.
4000 ppm of NaCl is the norm. This chlorinator's 5500 ppm is well beyond that. (I realize the brochure says 4000-6000 but have been told by the tech on numerous occasions to keep the salt level above 5000).
Previous review below:
I'm not sure what brand to label this chlorinator under, as it appears to be rebranded every so often. The same looking chlorinator goes under various names (here is another weblink, for example: https://www.waterco.com.au/pool-spa/water-sanitisers/electrochlor-salt-chlorinators/electrochlor-mineral-chlorinator).
But one thing is certain, none of the pool shops I went to recommended adding nearly as much salt as the specs of this chlorinator requires. We had the service person come out on 2 occasions because the chlorine output just couldn't keep up with the pool's requirements, and both times were told basically the chlorinator WOULD work properly if ONLY WE ADDED MORE SALT. Not once were we given a low salt warning, mind you.
Most pool shops will tell you to keep the salt between 4000 and 5000 ppm, but this chlorinator needs between 5000 - 6000 ppm, and states it is optimal at 5500ppm.
Sure enough, when I added 6 more bags, at $18 per bag, the chlorine levels rose, but I still need to run it at 100% for 13 hours per day. And unlike any of the pools we've had since 2008 - over 15 years now! - the water tastes and feels salty again.
So, yes, it does the job, but not without compromise and extra expense.
Also, from the get go, the screen was very dim, very difficult to read. I think others have had this problem. The problem was sort of downplayed by the pool builder and Waterco until, at one point, I was advised to open up the case and use a screwdriver to turn the contrast dial up to max, and while that helped, it was far from perfect - it was barely legible, but at least I could see what I was doing. See the photos. When a service person finally came out, they saw what we meant and replaced the screen. That made all the difference.
All in all, I wish I had been consulted by the pool builder as to what make and model chlorinator I desired for our new pool. There is very little information about this chlorinator available, and that always concerns me. I doubt I would have chosen this one simply based on that. And I think I would have found a more satisfying option. But we'll keep using this as long as they honour the warranty. Rob B
Purchased in .
Thank you for your thoughtful response Mr Daft. I prefer to continue the conversation here, for transparency.
Firstly, it was never mentioned that I should NOT use salt ONLY in my pool (and it isn’t lost on me that you actually didn’t suggest that either). It was never suggested I replace regular NaCl with your mineral product to reduce the salt needs in my pool. In fact, neither the spec sheet nor the brochure say this is a requirement - the salt requirement table lists salt only. Can you please inform me and other customers how many Waterco Mineral Crystal bags are required to replace a certain amount of salt? Is it 1 bag of minerals instead of 1 bag of salt? For others’ information, I was quoted over $80 per 20kg bag of Waterco Mineral Crystals, so I would hope 1 bag would replace at least 4 bags of regular salt.
By the way, I am well aware of the requirement to continually brush the salt I add so that it dissolves completely to avoid staining. The problem is, I have had to add so much more salt than 3 separate pool shops recommended that there wasn’t enough high quality salt available. So I had to use low quality salt to satisfy the UNIQUELY HIGH NEEDS of this chlorinator.
Secondly, the problems I had with the chlorinator not providing enough chlorine, even when the salt levels were above 4000, occurred DURING the last summer, when pool temperatures were well above 25 degrees. I have the receipts, should you not believe me. I contacted Waterco about the lack of chlorine despite putting in 1-2 bags more than recommended by each of the pool shops I visited over the course of the summer. (I visited 3 different shops just to make sure my local pool shop wasn’t making a mistake - it wasn’t.) So the temperature was NOT the problem.
As for the display, if the brightness adjustment is supposed to be a “feature” why is it not mentioned in the manual? And why place it INSIDE the case where no one would see it? I was only told about it because we live too far for the tech to visit in a timely fashion. But the display issue is besides the point, anyway.
The point is that the Waterco chlorinator is DESIGNED to require SO much more salt than others.
Only the inexpensive Bunnings Baracuda Saltmaster requires as much salt as this chlorinator to be ‘optimal’, as far as I can tell. I have looked:
K-Chlor recommended level (NOT minimum) - 4000 ppm, Davey 3000-6000 (compared to Waterco’s chlorinator’s minimum of 4000), H2Flo 3500-6000, All Astral Pool Chlorinators recommend 4000 ppm, Madimack InverChlor 3000 ppm.
All much lower than Waterco 4000-6000, (but really >5000 according to my experience and Waterco representative recommendations).
Great product and service – Thank you so much for the great support today went far beyond my expectations by water co. This is a great product, Highly recommend it.
We are glad to hear you had such a positive experience with our Electrochlor chlorinator. We strive to provide the best support and products possible. Thank you for your kind words
Minimum estimated product life was generously extended by Waterco – Purchased the Waterco Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator 3000 through Swimart late in 2020 – at a bit over $2,000 retail, with a 3-year warranty. Our pool is serviced on a Gold Service contract monthly by Swimart. The product was recommended by and installed by Swimart. (In regards the recommendation of the Waterco chlorinator by Swimart, although most Swimart outlets are operated by independent franchisees, it should be acknowledged that Waterco is the parent company and franchisor of Swimart.)
The pool industry cites the 'typical life span of a chlorinator is from 3 to 7 years.' The Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator provided consistent and reliable performance with no issues until the end of 2023, then….
On Christmas Eve of 2023, we noticed the ‘low salt’ warning light flashing. The next scheduled service was only two days later. Minerals were added to the pool at that service but the low salt warning kept flashing.
We notified Swimart a day or so after the minerals had been added that the light was still flashing, with our concern that the constant flashing on and off might be compromising the life of the display. Swimart advised by return email:
“There is no damage being caused to the chlorinator or cell by this fault. The only thing it may do is produce less chlorine. I received confirmation today from the warranty department (Waterco) that the warranty request has been received and is being assessed. I will follow up today to see if they have an idea of an outcome and will be in touch regarding this.”
The following day we were contacted by Swimart, who advised that a replacement salt cell had been provided by Waterco. I was told that because the standard salt cell was out of stock, a better model had been supplied – with the assurance that this salt cell was good for 5 years of service. It was installed on the same day by Swimart.
It didn’t fix the problem. The display was still flashing the low salt warning. Swimart acknowledged that it might be a hardware problem. At the next service a new chlorinator box was installed.
Based on reviews we were fully expecting no satisfaction at all – and that we’d also be venting here with a bad brand AND product review. We can happily reflect instead that our problem was resolved – with no expense incurred to us by Swimart or Waterco. We do have to acknowledge that a bare three years of use isn't a great testimony to product life. However, when the distributor backs their product with full no hassle, no argument replacement as in our case – effectively extending the life of the purchase to probably 3-5 years more – that's an equitable customer solution and insightful brand care.
There are people who prefer to DIY their own pool maintenance and water quality management. We used to. This experience indicates obvious advantages to having a pool professionally serviced on a regular contract, most particularly when it comes to equipment monitoring and maintenance, repair and replacement.
Purchased in at Swimart.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Waterco Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator 3000 and Swimart's service. We truly appreciate your valuable feedback, both positive and constructive.
We are thrilled to hear that you were ultimately satisfied with how your issue was resolved, despite the initial product malfunction. It's always heartwarming to hear stories of excellent customer service, and we're proud that both Swimart and Waterco went above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction.
While we acknowledge that the chlorinator falling slightly short of the projected lifespan isn't ideal, we're glad to see that our customer service team readily replaced the unit and provided an upgraded salt cell. Your experience highlights the importance of standing behind our products and ensuring customer satisfaction.
We also appreciate your insights about the benefits of professional pool service. As you mentioned, regular maintenance and monitoring can identify potential issues early on, minimizing disruption and maximizing the lifespan of your equipment. Thank you again for your review. We'll definitely share your feedback with the Waterco and Swimart teams. We are always striving to improve, and your experience helps us identify areas where we can do better.
We hope you continue to enjoy your pool for many years to come!
Unreliable, Doesn't last – Pool installer offered to use this chlorinator in place of what was included and said it would be an upgrade, big mistake. Pool was installed April 2021. December 2022 the front screen of chlorinator became dim to the point of being too hard to read. Contacted pool installer who passed warranty claim to Waterco. Waterco were only too happy to help, for a fee. Warranty is for 3 years but it would seem that Waterco do not stand by their products. First communication was about a fee for them to look at the product, didn't appear interested in the issue. Now another couple of months later and the auto acid doser is now also broken. In conjunction with the Waterco app that offers very limited function and the above issues I could not recommend this product at all.
Purchased in at Tranquillity Pools Hunter.
HI Luke, Apologies for the inconvenience you have experienced with the Electrochlor chlorinator. Could you please message me with your contact details? I would like our customer service manager to speak to you about the chlorinator.
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Hello Rob B, Thank you for your continued feedback and for bringing to our attention essential points about your experience with the Waterco Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator. As Warranty and Service Manager, I'd like to clarify a few matters and offer some guidance to help you and other customers.
Product Availability and Branding You're correct that the Electrochlor Chlorinator is available through various retailers, including Swimart, as well as pool builders and independent pool shops. Waterco supplies this product to a vast network, and the core design and specifications are consistent across all channels, regardless of branding or packaging. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the same high-quality product and support, irrespective of where you purchase it.
Saltwater and Mineral Chlorination Based on your comments, it appears you are currently using salt only in your pool. The Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator is designed to function as both a saltwater and mineral chlorinator. This means it can operate using pool salt (sodium chloride) alone, but it also works in conjunction with Waterco's Mineral Crystals, which transform your pool into a therapeutic mineral pool. The Mineral Crystals add magnesium and potassium, providing benefits such as softer water and enhanced comfort for swimmers. Using salt alone, especially if it is of lower quality or contains impurities, can sometimes lead to mineral deposits or staining on pool surfaces. To prevent this, a pool brush is required to ensure all the salt is dissolved, thereby preventing staining.
Salt Levels and Water Temperature The Electrochlor Mineral Chlorinator is designed to operate optimally at a salt concentration of 5,500 ppm with a recommended range of 4,000-6,000 ppm. In colder water (<18°C), conductivity decreases; therefore, maintaining a higher salt level ensures reliable chlorine production and protects the longevity of the electrode plates. While 40,000 ppm is sufficient in warmer months (above 25°C), colder conditions require approximately 5,500 ppm for consistent performance.
Display Functionality Thank you for your feedback on the display. We're glad your service provider was able to replace the screen, and I'm so happy you're aware of the screen brightness adjustment option available. We continually use customer feedback like yours to enhance our products.
Next Steps If you'd like to discuss your setup or receive advice on operating the chlorinator, please do not hesitate to contact me at david.daft@waterco.com for further assistance.
Thank you again for your honest feedback, which helps us improve and better support our customers.
Best regards, David Daft Warranty and Service Manager Waterco Ltd