Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there little or no free chlorine residual?
Here are a few possible causes:
- DAILY CHLORINE OUTPUT adjustment setting is too low
- Low stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid)
- Filter pump switched off or filter pump time too short ( 8 hours for average size pool, more for large pools)
- Salt level too low (below 2500 ppm, Low Salt LED on)
- Salt level too high
- Very warm pools increase chlorine demand- increase Output % or filter run time.
- Cold water (below 50F) causes Salt & Swim to stop generating
- Cold Water between 50F-60F causes Salt & Swim to reduce output regardless of DAILY CHLORINE OUTPUT setting
- Excessive scaling on cell.
- High level of Nitrogen in pool water.
- “Yellow Out” or similar treatment recently used. Some yellow algae treatments will use chlorine at a very high rate and deplete the residual free chlorine. Manually shock the pool if indicated in the directions of the algae treatment. It still may be a matter of days before the pool returns to “normal” and chlorine tests will show the desired 1-3 ppm free chlorine reading.
Why are the LEDs not on?

Why is the INADEQUATE WATER FLOW LED illuminated?
The Salt & Swim has sensed a low flow or no flow condition and has stopped generating chlorine.
- Verify that the filter pump is running and there are no obstructions or restrictions in the pool plumbing.
- Backwash the pool filter.
- Increase the speed of your variable speed pump
If the condition persists, remove the Cell from the Vessel and check that the flow switch is free to move in both directions.
Why is CELL LIFE LOW LED illuminated?
Why is the PROBLEM DETECTED LED illuminated AND MAX LED blinking?
Why is the PROBLEM DETECTED LED illuminated AND MIN LED blinking?
Why is the PROBLEM DETECTED LED illuminated AND a DAILY CHLORINE OUTPUT LED blinking?
The Salt & Swim may display an error by illuminating the PROBLEM DETECTED LED and blinking one of the DAILY CHLORINE OUTPUT LEDs. There are ten DAILY CHLORINE OUTPUT LEDs that each indicates a different error. These LEDs are labeled with a number on the diagram below. Refer to the table below for their corresponding errors.
LED Status Notifications
- Inspect Cell. If dirty, follow the Cell cleaning procedure.
- Check the salt level in the pool and verify the salt level is greater than 2600ppm, but also less than 3400ppm.
- Inspect the Cell Vessel and verify the Cell plates are fully covered by moving water.
Verify that the Salt & Swim is receiving 120VAC input.
Contact Hayward Technical Service.
- Check that the salt level in the pool is no greater than 3400ppm and/or the temperature does not exceed 104F.
- Inspect the Cell Vessel and verify the Cell plates are fully covered by moving water.
Contact Hayward Technical Service.
- Inspect the Cell. If dirty, follow the Cell cleaning procedure.
- Inspect the Cell Vessel and verify the Cell plates are fully covered by moving water.
- Inspect the cable that connects the cell to the system. Make sure the cable is secure and undamaged.
Contact Hayward Technical Service.
Inspect the cable that connects the cell to the system. Make sure the cable is secure and undamaged.
Perform “Flow Switch Calibration” procedure.
Check that the pool temperature is more than 50F and less than 104F.
Hayward Salt & Swim above ground salt system automatically turns salt into chlorine – conveniently and easily sanitizing above-ground pools while reducing chlorine costs by 50%.