What is a Chlorine Generator?
A chlorine generator is a device that uses the salt in your swimming pool to electronically create chlorine.

How does a Chlorine Generator work?

Put simply, the chlorine generator electronically breaks down salt to create liquid chlorine. This liquid chlorine then dissolves quickly into the swimming pool water, purifies the water, and then disappears.

More specifically, the chlorine generator works through a process called electrolysis. Inside the chlorine generator, there is an electrolytic cell. This cell contains layers of plates that are electrically charged. Plugging the chlorine generator into an electrical source generates this electric charge.

The direct current produced by the chlorine generator then passes through the water, which contains the added salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl). The negative chloride ions (Cl-) each lose one electron during this process. The electron then attaches to the positive electrode that is passing through the water. The electrode and the chloride electron are then released as a chlorine gas (Cl2).

The positive hydrogen ions (H+) from the water (H2O) then receive an electron from the negative electrode. The hydrogen and electron pair together and form a hydrogen gas. Sodium ions (Na+) and a hydroxide ion ( OH- ) are all that remain in the water.

When the chlorine that was created finishes purifying the water, it becomes salt and water once more. This s al t is then continuously reused. Therefore, more salt does not need to be added to the water because of this process. It does, however, need to be occasionally added because of salt loss caused by splash out, overflow, bather drag off, or filter backwash.

How do I use a Chlorine Generator?

In order to use a Chlorine Generator, a swimming pool must first be changed to a salt-water swimming pool. This is accomplished by simply adding water softener salt.

The chlorine generator itself is usually simply tied inline to the recirculation system of the swimming pool. Higher priced chlorine generators can be set to make chlorine at all times. The pool owner simply sets the output level to fit the needs of the size of the swimming pool.

Lower-end chlorine generators can be set to run a pre-determined number of hours each day. After a couple weeks of experimentation, the pool owner can determine how many hours per day it is necessary to run the chlorine generator to achieve an adequate amount of purification.

To determine the amount of power needed for an individual pool, the following ratio can be helpful: 15 amperes of DC power = 1 pound of chlorine per 24 hour period. When in doubt, it is better to get a chlorine generator with more amperes than necessary. This is because it is impossible to increase the maximum power if the chlorine output is insufficient. A chlorine generator with too many amperes, however, can easily be adjusted to a lower power if necessary.

What are the benefits of a Chlorine Generator?

Though a chlorine generator can range in price from $200 to $1,000, it eliminates the need to add chlorine to a swimming pool. This is because the chlorine generator makes the chlorine for you. This results in a more cost-effective swimming pool in the long run.

A chlorine generator al so results in less swimming pool maintenance. Chlorine generators do not affect the pH level of the swimming pool water. Furthermore, since chlorine generators reliably produce adequate amounts of chlorine to keep the swimming pool water clean, it is no longer necessary to repeatedly tinker with chemicals to get the perfect mix. Better yet, there is no worry about mistakenly putting chemicals in the wrong component or mixing the wrong chemicals together.

Chlorine generators also make swimming pool ownership more convenient. The pool owner no longer has to search for a swimming pool specialty store in order to purchase chlorine. On the other hand, water softener salt can be easily found and many stores.

Chlorine generators also eliminate the irritation that can be caused by adding chlorine to swimming pool water. Side effects of chlorine - such as green hair, dry skin, red eyes, and faded swimsuits – become a thing of the past.

Furthermore, the added salt does not make the swimming pool feel or taste like an ocean. In fact, the salt solution in the water is almost the same as the level of salt found naturally in our bodies. This makes the water feel more comfortable if it accidentally gets into a person's nose or eyes.

The added salt does, however, transform the swimming pool water into soft water. This makes the water feel soft and silky against a person's skin.

Chlorine generators are also safer than using traditional chlorine in a swimming pool. This is because unsafe chlorine does not have to be stored or transported for use in the pool.

What are the drawbacks of using a Chlorine Generator?

Of course, there is the cost of running electricity to the chlorine generator for several hours per day.

In addition, the salt that is added to the pool can potentially corrode metal pool fittings. Vinyl liners pool owners shouldn't see any drawbacks. However; if you have a concrete or gunite pool it can weaken mortar joints around the rim of the pool. Therefore, these areas of the pool should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in proper, working order.

Pools with a tiled finish around the top edge can also form a build up as a result of the electrolysis process. This build up is unattractive and can be difficult to remove. Therefore, it should be monitored carefully and cleaned regularly before build up occurs.

Despite a few possible side effects to using chlorine generators, they are well worth the investment and will result in years of memorable pool use.