Pentair 320 Chlorinator Troubleshoot Fundamentals and Repair

[@claylewis402]

Absolutely the best You Tube video on the 320 chlorinator . Very well explained. Thanks

[@mikebrennan2160]

the best video on youtube for troubleshooting the 320 Pentair chlorinator

[@yes9900]

I second that

[@robspooner68]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing! Helped me understand how the chlorinator works.

[@johnjenco4418]

This is the BEST UA-cam video on the 320. Clear, concise, and accurate. THANK YOU!!

[@rodzent]

Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation of how the 320 works! I have had 2 pools over 35 years and now understand the function of the check valve. Mine failed and your test showed me the issue so quickly. I have time to order the part and fix it rather than buying and entire chlorinator. FYI I am a video guy, and your use of the camera was super! Easy to see and hear everything. Again, THANKS!

[@iaqtomy]

This is just awesome! glad to hear it helped.

[@AllenIsbell]

My pool is new to me and the chlorinator was empty when I got it. I filled it up with tablets and had the setting on 2 as the previous owners did. A week later my chlorine was 7.5 and my tablets were nearly gone! Your video helped me figure out that my check valve was bad and I was missing the screen. Thank you!

[@Frank-jh1pw]

Thank you Tommy. Just what I was looking for. My 320 suddenly stopped working, (loaded it up with tabs and dial wide open) and I couldn't figure out why there was no chlorine in the pool. Took the dial off, and the tube (all open and working) , So what was left? Couldn't figure it out 'till I watched your video. The CHECK VALVE. Didn't even know there was one. Easy fix now. AND I understand the mechanics now too. Thanks again.

[@iaqtomy]

Awesome stuff glad to help Frank.

[@philplasterer1547]

Seriously thank you so much. This is the best video I’ve watched and I needed this. Thank you.✝️🇺🇸

[@willytwo53072]

Thanks for explaining how this thing works.

[@lionden8421]

Thank you!! This was the most comprehensive troubleshooting chlorinaror video I've found. And being a Pentair 320 unit w/ Solar heater, (like mine) it addressed all the issues I've experienced explaining thoroughly and SHOWING EVERY STEP! Most pro pool guys doing videos assume you've done one step or another and end up giving me unsatisfactory results. Thank you again Tommy!

[@iaqtomy]

You are very welcome

[@johnhitt5231]

YES! Your video, analysis of the factors influencing the performance of the clhorinator is spot on. Thank you.

[@damienstaples6]

My issue also turned out to be that check valve on the bottom, but it was doing something completely different. Water was entering the chlorinator thru the hose as it should, however, the faulty check valve was just letting the water immediately leak right out back into the return line as fast as it was coming in. My hose wasnt leaking but it was pretty dried up so I replaced that along with the check valve and the chlorinator is back in business. I hope this comment helps someone solve their problem as your video helped me solve mine. You really helped me to understand how the chlorinator works, which helped me figure out my issue, thanks

[@Ust-lb3lj]

Thank You Thank You !!!!! You were the first to actually describe how to fix this problem. Also, thanks for the added tip for the screw. I would have never checked that.

[@iaqtomy]

You are welcome happy chlorination! 🙂

[@gmillerdoc]

Just decided to maintain my own pool because of poor service and could not figure out what this canister was doing there. Was using a chlorine floater! Was looking over videos on the canister, and this is the best by far! Props to Tommy for the intelligent way he described his investigative work to diagnose the source of the problem!

[@iaqtomy]

Good luck I took over my pool several years ago when the pool guy insisted he use a bobbing tablet despensor. When I asked him about the autochlorinator he said those things never work so I never used them. That's when I knew I had the wrong person. Good luck

[@doreen5471]

I hear you on the poor service from pool guys! They tell you all kinds of things and such misinformation. Drives me crazy! I just fired another guy after 3 days. Was showing up at 8:30pm at night. Scared me to death as I was out there literally working on pool since he didn’t show up.
What’s worse is he screwed in my chlorinator top so tight I can’t get if off! I broke all four tips (wth didn’t they dust put a handle on these like they do the pumps???) in any case I bought a new top yesterday from pool place. But I still can’t get the old one off! Any suggestions?
I just broke the valve going into the chlorinator trying to get it off. Then now just broke the black tube. Ughhh! I am woman and trying to save myself some money. But now I broke two pieces just trying to get the top off! Any side ideas or suggestions? I even tried using rubber mallot! Thank you

[@tucatakach3230]

Tommy!!! You are a GENIOUS!!! Thank you, now I understand how it works and what I need to buy to fix it. Thank you again!!! Great Video!!!

[@madmaxusa1]

Great video on how to repair the Model 320! I was ready to purchase a new chlorinator for $85, ended up just replacing the check valve for $11. Problem solved!

[@MrMichaelPet]

Man, thank you so much! I managed to troubleshoot my chlorinator thanks to you.

[@charitywaggoner912]

Wow I just took mine apart and could not figure out why my tabs weren’t being used. Now I think I can fix it! Thank you.

[@chrisgwin4380]

Always want to know HOW it works not just the repair. Excellent!

[@iaqtomy]

Thank you glad to help!

[@jacobkilgannon6059]

Thank you so much bro!!! This video means more than you know. I really appreciate your knowledge. I’m a pool guy and hate looking stupid.

[@napoearth]

Great video. Can't wait to use this knowledge to check my Chlorinator.

[@_mysilentblue2227]

Thank you sir, you kept me from uninstalling to find the broken check valve. I'll be ordering this first so one disassembly.

[@generuth]

Excellent video! thanks so much for the tips! My chlorinator has stopped working and now I am ready to fix it.

[@paulfaulkner7765]

superb explanation. Glad you showed the dye test at the end

[@rheiniger]

Really great and informative. Thanks Tommy you are the best.

[@mooneymoss7589]

You helped me tremendously!! Thank you for this informative video.

[@MatthewDLee09]

Thanks for the tips. We got our first pool installed this year and have been fighting chlorine levels the whole time.

[@56nomadman]

T V awesome video !! It is refreshing to see a fella fess up to , "Hey I didn't know this ! Thanks again !!!

[@chrisporpora1838]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@Nick_R272]

Very thorough and helpful! Thanks so much!

[@hydrologicman594]

AWESOME video!!! By far the best I've seen. I wish Tommy would make some videos regarding 1971 corvettes! :)

[@JasonWest-jf9lh]

Great video. Thank you now I understand why mine is not working!!

[@kevingray8616]

Great explanation as I was unaware of the check valve. Top or bottom connection of the water does matter. A top connection moves more water over the pucks causing more chlorine to be released. (useful for large pools like mine) I remember it being in the installation manual when I replaced mine. It also helps greatly to lube that seal and to not over-tighten the top; making it a lot easier to unscrew the top. (use lube made for pool equipment)

[@jamalbenthall151]

Great video

[@Blockdagdaddy]

Great video ! Thank you sir
It’s called a set screw btw 🙏

[@duffvoigt5462]

Good Lord this was helpful. Thanks so much for making it!

[@aridavidl]

definitely an excellent explanation, thanks!

[@RobertHannaford-su3kk]

Couple things the screw prevents the whole feeder from turning when taking off or replacing cap. As far as the check valve goes mines not frozen but fails to seat all the way allowing flow(a slow flow) Not sure if this could cause the issue if anyone knows…either rate I’m probably going to get a new one and replace it.

[@thelongislandguy]

Great video! You solved all of my problems!

[@mikemcknight2936]

I agree with the others, this is a great video. You've explained the workings very well. I'm still not sure if mine is working right or not, but I feel better equipped now to troubleshoot my system. When my pool was installed I'm seem to remember my installer telling me to listen after adding tablets to my chlorinator to make sure I could hear the clicking of the check valve. Is it safe to assume if it's clicking it must be ok? Anyway, thanks for your video!

[@KTK_808]

Great video! Now I know how to fix mine. Thank you!!!

[@jovialjuggler1645]

Thanks So Much For The Video. Helped Out A Bunch! Love Love Love The Ink!

[@domaniquemcneal2229]

Excellent video sir.

[@jgartmann]

Fantastic video! Thank you

[@thedugan789]

Great video and very helpful. Subscribed.

[@ricoa4152]

Awesome video! Thank you for this.

[@jimthomas2227]

Perfect. Thank you! Great explanation.

[@crazybillshobbiesandstuffd7652]

Thanks for the info.

[@pagodadr]

Thanks for the video!. My prob is my Tabs dissolve too quickly, with in a day almost. What am I doing wrong?

[@gregorykazian804]

Awesome video

[@brendankeough7552]

Well 👍

[@mattphat23]

I just had this same issue and checked everything: the check valve, the flow into the canister, EVERYTHING! Then I decided to fill up my pool’s water level and I found out THAT was the cause of no chlorinated water flowing out of the canister. Hope this helps you if you are having this issue!

[@iaqtomy]

This is very interesting thank for adding to the knowledge base.

[@jimw7043]

Perhaps you needed some back pressure on the pipes to get the water to fill the canister. I found out that my canister wouldn't fill with my return nozzels off, but once I installed the return nozzles (jets), which restricted the flow to pool and caused a back pressure on the return lines, my chlorine canister would fill with water.

[@craigandersen9005]

Replaced canister screen and check valve. Chlorinator is working fine.

[@samconway5288]

That’s a good video I notice this morning my waters coming up through the center and it’s been doing this for years.
Do you use tablet and liquid chlorine or just tablets?

[@iaqtomy]

I mostly use tablets but after a big rain, I will use some liquid after draining down the water level a little bit.

[@ProducersVault]

Thanks Tommy Great Video

[@jamescurran5255]

Your an awesome teacher ❤😊

[@user-dl7kt2fb7s]

Missing one important step. After placing chlorine tablets in chlorinator, bleed air from the chlorinator. I do this by turning the pool pump on with the chlorinator cap off and when water reaches the top of the chlorinator, screw the lid down. Makes a difference by allowing the water pressure in the chlorinator to match the water pressure in the pool return line.

[@iaqtomy]

Thanks for the tip

[@mayaarmijo5825]

This is so helpful!

[@rachelgarmon8643]

Great video thank you

[@Music-Tech-Life]

Tommy great video. Detailed. So really I could run my chlorinator without a control valve? Just close that port off. I get that I can't control how much chlorine is going into the pool with out a control valve. But by not installing a control valve, can this do any harm to chlorinator or piping? I'm assuming it would use up chlorine tabs faster because there's no control valve. But technically it can be done, correct?

[@jimw125]

My 320 would only fill up halfway with water. Turns out there wasn't enough pressure in the return line to push the water level higher. Once I replaced the outlet restrictors on pool sidewall, the backpressure increased and now the water fills all the way. Also my cartridge filter is dirty and probably keeping the pressure to low on the return side, too high on the pump side.

[@iaqtomy]

Wow, this is good to know and makes sense. I'm glad you took the time to share this. It would not have occurred naturally to me.

[@kevinkleinmann]

Thanks - great video! Where did you purchase the Check Valve from? Can that just be purchased from any big box store as a standard piece of pvc equipment?

[@iaqtomy]

I just bought mine from the local pool shop in town pinch a Penny

[@robe9000]

Great video! I see a second career for you in pool maintenance 😂

[@mattphat23]

Great video! I am still having trouble with mine. The water flows in fine, the check valve works, but I think that the water pressure is so high that the ball in the check valve at the bottom of the chlorinator is being pushed up, which is COMPLETELY preventing any flow of the chlorinated water back into the return. How the heck do I fix this?

[@weipingshi77845]

I think your guess is probably right. I have the same problem. The check valve seems to work, and water fills up the chlorinator quickly. When I shut down the system, water in the chlorinator goes down quickly. However the tablets still won't dissolve. So other than replacing the valve, there is nothing else I can replace.

[@mattphat23]

@@weipingshi77845 hi Peter! I just discovered my problem was actually the water chemistry and not the functionality of the Chlorinator. If your stabilizer (cyanuric acid) is too high-my pool was OVER 300 ppm (normal range is 30-50 ppm), you can experience chlorine lock, which renders the chlorine ineffective. I had to drain my pool around 60% and then refill with fresh water and that put it at 50 ppm. I also have to discontinue using the tri-chlor pucks because they contain the stabilizer/cyanuric acid. I would definitely check your levels to see if that is a problem you may be experiencing. It was driving me nuts!

[@weipingshi77845]

@@mattphat23 Matthew, thank you the the update! My cyanuric level is 50 ppm. But even if the cyanuric level is too high, the tablets should still dissolve. I found in another youtube video saying there is no pressure difference between the two tubes, and therefore, there won't be any water flowing through the Chlorinator. But why it used to work, but stopped working now? The only difference seems to be that the protective screen at the bottom of the Chlorinator is broken, thus the tablets are sitting on the hole. I have ordered a new screen and hope it solves my problem.

[@iaqtomy]

This is a very sensitive tricky valve and the little ball can get hung up from chemical imbalance as suggested and other issues. I pointed out in the video but the little tabs in the bottom that hold the screen in place can break off and go down into the valve. Best thing to do is make sure you change the valve out before doing deep diagnosis. The pressure balance over this check valve is so minor because it uses the same water pressure on both sides of the valve. The only reason why there's a pressure difference is because of the Venturi effect on the bottom side of the valve. Too complicated but true

[@weipingshi77845]

@@iaqtomy You are right. I cleared the debris and changed the screen. Now it works fine.

[@alexgarcia3005]

Excellent explanation, now thanks to you I understand a lot better the Chlorinator. Can anyone explain to me at what setting should I place the water control valve from 0 t0 5 controlling the flow of water to the Chlorinator ? Which setting should place it? Does it dependents on how many tablets I put inside the Chlorinator? I will appreciate some information on it

[@iaqtomy]

It's a balancing act between how long your pump runs, how many tabs you keep and any other shock you may use. I keep 8 tabs on level 3 and a 6 hour run cycle. But you still need to perform regular tests to see if that setting works. My pool is 20,000 gallons so that's a factor as well. Finally we have been getting rain everyday and that can throw off your normal setting. If you run shorter run cycles in the winter you can adjust the setting down to 1 or 2

[@bh6984]

When you were demonstrating how the Chlorinator should drain through the check valve once the pump is turned off, would that be true for equipment pads that are well below the level of the pool...whereby the pool water will remain in the return lines even after turning off the pump?

[@iaqtomy]

I can't say for sure, but I am leaning heavily toward no because that line would not be draining back out.

[@garybarbour2345]

Nice Video! Question: I took my unit off of the Return to pool line and I found that there is a rubber o-ring on the bottom of the unit...I did not see the small o-ring on the bottom of your unit so I left mine out, but unfortunately my unit started leaking like a sieve from the bottom ( and out the small hole where the screw was). Does your unit have a small o-ring at the base of the unit where the check valve is?

[@iaqtomy]

I am sorry for the delay but I don't think there was a O-Ring on the bottom of mine but I can be sure.

[@iaqtomy]

I can't remember but if it did not have one I would have used Teflon tape.

[@user-nc9pc3gr4c]

smart dude

[@deependfrank]

I never realized that return could mean something different.

[@johnmichaelkarma]

you da man!

[@rTuelho]

Just pay attention that the chorine is quite toxic...