ControlOMatic MegaChlor Manual de usuario
Pool & Spa saltwater chlorine generator
MegaChlor
MegaChlor-CD
ControlOMatic, Inc. 12659 Arbor Lane Grass Valley, CA 95949
www.controlomatic.com [email protected]
530-205-4520
Manual Version: 07/09/18
Made in the USA - Please like us at www.facebook.com/controlomatic
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READ & FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
When installing and using this electrical equipment, basic safety precautions should
always be followed, including the following:
WARNING: Cutting the cord from the power supply to the MegaChlor cell voids the warranty.
Damage will occur if the connection is reversed.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, do not permit children to use this product unless they
are closely supervised at all times.
WARNING: Use MegaChlor only according to these instructions. Any modification or misuse
of this product will void the warranty.
WARNING: Install MegaChlor in accordance with all national and local electrical, plumbing,
safety, and other applicable codes.
WARNING: Connect MegaChlor to a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) or GFI (ground fault
interrupt) protected VAC power source only.
WARNING: Protect the power supply and outlet from exposure to the elements including
direct sun, rain, snow, condensation, etc.
WARNING: DO NOT use with extension cord. Injury may result.
WARNING: DO NOT operate MegaChlor if damaged in any way.
WARNING: DO NOT pull on the cord to disconnect the Power Supply from power source. Do
not allow the cord be walked on, or to rest on sharp edges or corners. Do not drop, throw, or
otherwise rough handle MegaChlor.
WARNING: DO NOT operate or leave the power supply in temperatures below 32ºF or 0ºC.
The power supply may not survive in extremely cold temperatures.
WARNING: Disconnect, remove and store MegaChlor indoors when pool has been winterized
or drained.
CAUTION: Leave spa/pool cover open at least 1 minute to allow trapped gases to escape
prior to use.
CAUTION: Measure water quality parameters and adjust if necessary prior to each spa use.
CAUTION: MegaChlor doesn’t measure the chlorine level and must be adjusted properly in
order to not over-chlorinate the water. Over-chlorination can lead to equipment damage and
un-healthy water conditions.
WARNING: Remove the MegaChlor cell from the SPA when using the SPA.
WARNING: DO NOT handle the MegaChlor cell during chlorine production (visible bubbling).
Slight discomfort may be felt in cuts, sores, or sensitive skin areas due to chlorine
concentration and the electrolysis process.
WARNING: DO NOT insert objects into, or tamper with the MegaChlor cell in any way.
Inserting metal objects into the cell body may cause damage and void the warranty.
WARNING: DO NOT plug MegaChlor control box directly into the VAC supply, this will
damage the MegaChlor. Always use the low voltage power supply.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WATER PREPARATION & MAINTENANCE
To ensure proper operation it is recommended to balance the water prior to installing the MegaChlor. Use the
levels in the following table as a guide to balancing the water. Use the test strips to measure water chemistry
and verify that the water has been balanced properly. Cleaning the filter is recommended but not required
unless the previous sanitizer was a hydrogen peroxide system. The combination of hydrogen peroxide and
chlorine may cause gum-like build up, water discoloration, and skin irritation. It is important to properly
maintain your water for the health and safety of its users. MegaChlor may significantly reduce the amount of
maintenance required, but chemical check-ups including chlorine levels and PH are recommended before
each use. Proper water maintenance will prolong the life of MegaChlor and the pool or spa. The following
table describes generally accepted optimum water chemistry for portable pools and spas.
It is recommended that chlorine and PH levels are checked before each use, or at least once per week when
not in use. Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Salt Concentration should be checked at least once per month.
It is recommended that the water is manually shocked after high usage (example: after a party with multiple
users), or biweekly if used frequently. Always remember to leave the water circulating for several hours
before retesting. Phosphates in the water water will increase the demand for chlorine and will reduce the life
expectancy of the generator. Remove Phosphates upon start up and each month there after. Phosphate
Remover can be purchased at any local Pool & Spa supply store. WARNING: Consistent chlorine levels
above 5.0 PPM or calcium hardness below 200 may lead to corrosion of metal components in the pool
or spa.
Paramater Recommended Level Spa Recommended Level Pool
Free Chlorine 1.5-3 PPM 1.5-3 PPM
pH 7.4-7.6 7.4-7.6
Total Alkalinity 100-140 PPM 100-140 PPM
Calcium Hardness 200-400 PPM 200-400 PPM
Cyanuric Acid 0 30-50 PPM
INTRODUCTION
MegaChlor is a semi-automated, salt water chlorine generation system specifically designed for swim spas &
pools up to 17,000 Gallons. MegaChlor generates chlorine from a small amount of ordinary salt (Sodium
Chloride, NaCl) dissolved in the water. The amount of salt added is very small in relation to the volume of the
water in the pool. It’s about 90% less concentrated than ocean water and below the typical taste level of most
humans. The small addition of salt also benefits users by providing a softening effect on the water, leaving
hair and skin feeling smoother and healthier than with traditional sanitizing products. A minimum of only 2.5
cups of salt per 100 gallons of water is all it takes for MegaChlor to produce fresh, pure chlorine leaving your
water clean and clear day after day!
SALT REQUIREMENT
Use only sodium chloride (NaCl) salt that is at least 99.8% pure. Do to the popularity of salt pools there are
now many stores that carry pool salt. It is also acceptable to use water conditioning salt but it may take this
type of salt longer to dissolve. Do not use iodized or yellow prussiate of soda colored salt. Salt is added to the
pool or spa water and the electrolytic cell will use this salt to make chlorine. The salt range for the MegaChlor
is 3000 to 4000 PPM. The salt is constantly recycled, salt is lost only when pool water is removed from
splashing or people getting out of the water. Salt is not lost due to evaporation.
Adding Salt
1. Turn on the circulation system for the pool or spa
2. Make sure the MegaChlor is off until the salt is completely dissolved
3. Determine the amount of salt to add. Keep in mind that there may already be some salt in the water,
especially if the water was supplied through a water softener
4. Evenly spread the salt around the inside perimeter of the pool
5. Salt can be added in the skimmer. Make sure the salt doesn’t overfill the skimmer or the pump may loose
prime.
6. Once dissolved, turn the MegaChlor on.
Gallons Liters Salt lbs Salt Kgs
2,000 7,500 50 20
4,000 15,000 100 45
6,000 22,500 150 65
8,000 30,000 200 90
10,000 37,500 250 110
Calculating Required Salt
1. Calculate the volume of water. If you don’t have the information there are many pool water volume
calculators on the Internet.
2. Multiply gallons by 0.025 for pounds or liters by 0.003 for Kgs
MegaChlor Installation
MegaChlor is equipped with a 110/220 VAC Auto-Sensing Power Supply allowing MegaChlor to be installed
on almost any pool or spa. Please follow the installation instructions below. The power supply is not an
outdoor supply and needs to have protection from the environment.
Input Requirements: 100 to 240 VAC, 1.8A, 50-60 HZ. Output 12 VDC 5.0A, 60 Watts Maximum
Control Box
Locate a suitable location for the control box meeting the following conditions:
1. Close enough to the water for the 15 foot cell cable to reach the water
2. Close enough to a GFCI protected outlet
3. Not in direct sunlight. If in direct sunlight that may shorten the life of the controller
4. When the cables are routed, they should not be in a path were people walk or can be damaged by
equipment such as a lawn mower.
5. A hard vertical surface for mounting the control box.
6. Mount the control box with the supplied screws using the mounting holes on the flange. There is no need
to open the control box. The only time the control box needs to be opened is if the electrode needs to be
replaced.
In-line Power Supply
The in-line version (current) MegaChlor power supply is a high output indoor power supply and the location
must meet the following requirements.
1. 110 or 220 VAC
2. Water protective cover if not indoors or in a protected area. The power cord should be plugged into a
GFCI protected outlet near the spa. The power cord is 9 feet long and needs to reach the location where
the power supply will be located.
3. The power cable should have a routing path to the power supply where the cable is protected from people
tripping on it and lawn mowers.
4. NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. The power supply will heat up during operation and if in sunlight it may
overheat.
5. The best location for the power supply is behind the spa’s skirt. This will protect the power supply from the
elements. If the power supply is located outside it should be located inside a water proof box and not on
the ground.
6. The 12 Vdc cable from the power supply is 2 ½ feet long and connects into the MegaChlor box. The
power supply must be located near the box or an extension cable will need to be added. If located behind
the spa’s skirt a hole will be needed below the control box to route the cable to the box.
7. Once the 12 Vdc cable is routed to the box, remove the cover from the box and route the cable into the
box through the open cable grip. The red wire goes to the Vdc In Red terminal and the black (or bare) wire
goes to the Black Gnd terminal. A small standard screwdriver will be needed to tighten the connection.
Make sure the ferrule is inserted properly, sometimes it slips below the post and doesn’t make a
connection. If the red and black wire are reversed damage to the circuit may occur if it is turned on.
MegaChlor Cell Installation
The MegaChlor cell will hang over the edge of the pool or spa and hang
down into the water. Find a location where the cell will be at least 1” from
the side of the pool or spa and for best results as deep as possible. The
deeper the cell is the more time the chlorine has to dissolve into the
water before reaching the surface. Placing by a jet is also desirable as
that will help to mix the chlorine.
If the cable is routed on the pool deck put a protective mat over it to
reduce tripping hazards.
Pool Cleaners: Make sure the cell is in a location where the pool cleaner
will not get tangled in the cable.
OPERATION
The MegaChlor has 3 buttons and 4 lights built into the overlay on the control box. With the buttons you can
check the power level, change the power level and put it into boost mode. The lights will indicate the salt
level, the current mode (making chlorine or standby), reading the power level and changing the power level.
Power Up
When the MegaChlor turns on it will flash the lights as follows:
1. WHITE & RED Blinks the software version (1)
2. WHITE, RED, BLUE, GREEN - will flash in that order
3. GREEN will flash every 10 seconds for about a minute, then chlorine production will start. For the CD
version chlorine production may start depending on the chlorine level.
Making Chlorine (Salt Level Indication)
When making chlorine, MegaChlor will indicate if the salt level is high, low or normal. If it is low that is OK, you
could add more salt if you want, but not required. The salt indicator isn’t a measurement of the actual salt
concentration, it is more of a measurement of the power going to the titanium plates.
If the lights are on solid, MegaChlor is producing chlorine and the light color is an indication of the salt level:
ŸSolid GREEN - Salt level over 4000 PPM, don’t add salt
ŸSolid BLUE - Salt level 3000 to 4000 PPM, can add salt if not making enough chlorine
ŸSolid RED - Salt level less than 3000 PPM, should add salt, especially if not making enough chlorine
ŸSolid RED / GREEN at the same time - Salt Level has exceeded the maximum and the MegaChlor has
shut down to protect the power supply and the cell. Drain out some water and refill to dilute the salt level.
Cycle power or press the boost button to have it check again. Perform the tests in the troubleshooting
section.
Not Making Chlorine (Standby Mode)
The MegaChlor will produce chlorine for a period of time and then go into an off cycle (standby mode) for 3
hours and then repeat. The length of time for the on part of the cycle is determined from the power level
setting and is 30 minutes for power level 1, 1 hour for power level 2 and an additional hour per power level.
On level 3 it will be on for 2 hours. There will be visible bubbles coming out of the cell and you can tell the salt
concentration from the light color. When the time is up it will turn off and wait 3 hours and then repeat. When
it is in the off mode (standby) the lights will flash GREEN every 10 seconds.
POWER LEVELS
MegaChlor includes 10 power level settings that are set based on water volume, usage and testing. The
MegaChlor factory setting is 3 (2 hours). The output power to the cell is always the same, the power level
changes the amount of time the cell is energized when it turns on.
VIEW THE CURRENT POWER LEVEL SETTING
Simply press the UP or DOWN arrow button once and count the WHITE flashes. Each flash represents a
power level. For example: 3 WHITE flashes = power level 3, 7 WHITE flashes = power level 7. After the
power level is displayed MegaChlor will display either the chlorine value, current to the electrode or the zero
point, see the section on OPTION: MegaChlor CD at the end of this manual, the chlorine value and the zero
point are only used with the chlorine detecting electrode..
CHANGE POWER LEVELS
1. Press both the UP arrow and the DOWN arrow at the same time. The WHITE Light will turn on solid
indicating that it is in power change mode.
2. Press the UP arrow to increase power - the GREEN light will flash each time the UP arrow is pressed. If
set at the maximum power level of 10, the GREEN light will be on solid.
3. Press the DOWN arrow to decrease power - the RED light will flash each time the DOWN arrow is
pressed. If at the minimum power level of 1, the RED light will be on solid.
4. When finished do not press any buttons for 3 seconds. The WHITE light will flash (count the flashes)
SELECTING THE RIGHT POWER LEVEL
Selecting the right power level requires some testing and adjustment. There are many factors that affect the
sanitizing needs of a pool such as: use, number of people, if there is an Ozone Generator, temperature, last
drain and refill, does it have a cover, cyanuric acid or stabilizer, etc. However, after the testing and adjustment
period, MegaChlor will take care of your sanitation needs day after day with minimal adjustments. As a
Power Level Water Volume (gals)
1 to 3 Less than 1000
4 1000 to 3000
5 3000 to 6000
6 6000 to 10000
7 to 10 10000 and above
starting point, please program MegaChlor and set the power
level to the general recommendations shown in the table.
Test the Chlorine Level with test strips after 1 to 2 days. When
testing, always try to measure at the same time of the day. If
the chlorine level is LOW, increase the power level by one
level. If the chlorine level is HIGH decrease the power level by
one level. Wait a day or so after this initial adjustment, re-test
and repeat as necessary until a consistent chlorine residual has
been achieved. If the chlorine level is VERY high or VERY low,
adjust by 2 levels, as needed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the chlorine level is zero 24 hours after installation, the initial chlorine demand may be
above what MegaChlor can produce to break away from zero. In this case, manually add chlorine or shock
(according to the company product label) to assist in the initial set-up.
If conditions change on the pool usage make sure to adjust the power level. If usage significantly increases,
(return from vacation, etc) it is important to adjust the power level up accordingly. Always retest and adjust
the power level as needed.
Power Level ON Time
1 00:30:00
2 01:00:00
3 02:00:00
4 03:00:00
5 04:00:00
Power Level On Time
6 05:00:00
7 06:00:00
8 07:00:00
9 08:00:00
10 09:00:00
added. If currently in a production cycle
pressing the Boost button will terminate
the production cycle and place the
MegaChlor in standby mode for 3 hours.
The boost button is an easy way to start
or stop a chlorine production cycle.
Replacement Parts
The titanium plates of any saltwater chlorine generator will eventually wear out and need replacing. Visit
www.controlomatic.com and select Shop which will take you to our store.
Item Part Number Type Description
1 MEGACHLOR-PSIL Power Supply
Replacement in-line power supply for MegaChlor, 12VDC
2 MC-ELECTRODE Electrode MegaChlor electrode replacement
3 MCCD-ELECTRODE Electrode MegaChlor electrode replacement with chlorine detection
4 Insta-Test-4 Test Kit Insta-Test 4 Spa Test Strips, Chlorine, pH, Hardness &
Alkalinity
5 Insta-Test-Salt Test Kit
Insta-Test Salt Pool and Spa Test Strips Sodium Chloride
6 MC-CELL Cell Body Replacement cell body, electrode is a separate item.
NOTE: Installing the MegaChlor inline may void the spas warranty and UL safety certification as you will be
adding to the existing equipment of the spa. We can provide the conversion kit MCIL-KIT or you can find the
required parts at your local hardware store. If you install it inline we recommend spas with a 24 hour
continuously running pump that has 3/4” tubing. For an inline install, there is no flow detection built into the
MegaChlor and if there is no flow and the MegaChlor is left on gasses will accumulate in the pipes that have a
risk of explosion.
Boost Mode & Power Level Times
Activating Boost Mode will start a chlorine production cycle. To activate Boost Mode simply press the Boost
Mode Button, the GREEN and BLUE led’s will flash letting you know a production cycle will start.
IMPORTANT: The MegaChlor can’t make chlorine faster. The Boost Mode simply turns it on for a
single cycle. If the pool chlorine has dropped to 0 PPM from heavy usage, chlorine may need to be
OPTION: MegaChlor CD “Chlorine Control”
When using the MCCD-Electrode the MegaChlor will control the start of a production cycle based on the
chlorine level reaching a low enough level and a 3 hour off time. The MegaChlor control box works with either
electrode: MC-Electrode = standard electrode without the chlorine sensor, MCCD-Electrode = electrode with
the chlorine sensor. Both electrodes have the same chlorine production rate.
Reading the flashing color values: Count the GREEN/BLUE/RED flashes to get the value. The calculation is:
GREEN*100 + BLUE*10 + RED = the value. No GREEN, three BLUE and 4 RED flashes would be 34.
DOWN Arrow Display
Sensor Voltage - If in Standby Mode
The built in sensor measures for the absence of sanitizer as a small voltage. To view the current voltage
reading - press the Down Arrow while in standby mode - The WHITE light will flash the power level and then
the current sensor value is displayed. When this value is low enough (Zero Point), MegaChlor determines the
chlorine is gone and will start a cycle. With the MC-Electrode there is no sensor and this reading is always 1
RED flash indicating a low chlorine level.
Electrode Current (Salt Level) - If in a Chlorine Production Cycle
When in a chlorine production cycle the MegaChlor is measuring the power going to the electrode and the
actual reading can be displayed by pressing the down arrow. Press the down arrow in standby mode to dis-
play the sensor value, and when in a production cycle display the electrode power. If the value is over 300 the
salt is too high and exceeds the limit, MegaChlor will suspend chlorine production. If MegaChlor isn’t making
enough chlorine and this value is lower than 200 salt can be added or increase the power level.
UP Arrow Display
Chlorine Production Zero - Standby mode or Chlorine Production Cycle
MegaChlor measures for the absence of sanitizer as a voltage with a built in sensor. When the sensor value
drops below the Zero Point and it has been off at lease 3 hours, MegaChlor will start a chlorine generation
cycle. The Zero Point should be set to a value that represents no chlorine when measured with a test kit. The
default value from the factory is 15, and will most likely never need to be changed.
To view the zero point - press the Up Arrow - The WHITE light will flash the power level and then the zero
point is displayed.
Changing the Zero Point
If you need to adjust the Zero Point press and hold the Up Arrow until after the current zero point has
displayed and the WHITE led is on solid. While the WHITE led is solid pressing the up arrow will increase the
zero point by 1 and pressing the down arrow will decrease it by one. The
range is 10 to 30 and when at 10 the RED led will be on solid and when at
30 the GREEN led will be on solid. Increasing the value will tend to
increase the chlorine level (turn on quicker when the chlorine is gone),
decreasing the value will increase the length of time in standby mode
which will lower the chlorine level.
Sensor Maintenance
The chlorine sensor is part of the electrode and includes a gold and
copper wire. The wires are visible through the holes in the electrode cell
and should be inspected from time to time to make sure they are clean. In
the picture the gold wire is clean and the copper wire has some buildup on
it. To clean the sensor wires:
●Soak in a mild acid, and then use a brush
●Carefully scrape with a flat screwdriver
TROUBLE SHOOTING
It is always a good idea to revisit the user manual to make sure installation or maintenance steps were not
overlooked before referring to the trouble shooting section.
Red and Green Light on at the Same Time
This is by far the most common problem and is an indication of too much salt. Even if you added the correct
amount and the salt level measures OK, the indication is dependant on water temperature and other minerals
in the water. It is always a good idea to start off low and add more salt after a couple days.
If you contact ControlOMatic with this problem you will be asked for the results of the following tests.
ŸEasy First Test
Take the electrode out of the water and turn it on (or press boost) so it starts making chlorine, if the lights still
turn green/red then there is a problem and it isn’t the water.
Second Test – The Bucket Test
Fill a 5 gallon bucket 2/3 with spa water and 1/3 with fresh water. Turn the unit off and leave in the bucket for
5 minutes to adjust to the temperature. Turn it on and see if the lights are blue when making chlorine, if they
are then remove 1/3 of the spa water and replace with fresh water. If not try again but fill the bucket ½ with
spa water and ½ with fresh water and try again.
Power Supply Test
There is a slight chance it is the power supply, if you have a voltmeter measure the DC voltage and it should
be around 12 Vdc. If it is higher, like 13 then that would cause the problem and the supply is bad.
Disconnect Electrode Test
The problem is either the circuit board or the electrode. Open the control box and disconnect one of the two
wires to the electrode so the electrode is now disconnected. Turn the unit on and when it starts making
chlorine if the problem goes away then it is the electrode, if the problem doesn’t go away it is the circuit.
If after performing these tests the led’s remain red and green then there may be a short in your saltwater
system so please contact us.
Plates Need Cleaning - White Calcium Deposits
ŸIf there is a white calcium buildup between the titanium plates, this will interfere with the chlorine
production. Disconnect the power before cleaning. Soak the cell in a mild acid (white vinegar or pH down)
for 10 to 30 minutes and rinse in clean water. Repeat until the white deposits are gone
RED Lights While Making Chlorine
ŸSalt level below 3000 PPM: Add salt if not making enough chlorine. Before adding salt it is a good idea to
measure the salt level first
ŸCheck the cell for white calcium buildup and if present clean the plates
ŸPlates damaged: Unit needs to be replaced. The plates will last 7000 to 10000 hours of chlorine
production and the MegaChlor may be at the end of its life. Note: The lower the power level you can
operate on, the longer the MegaChlor will last
Consistently Low Chlorine
ŸPower level too low: Increase the power level
ŸLow salt level: Adjust the salt level as necessary. The MegaChlor will make less chlorine with a lower salt
level
Make sure you are measuring the chlorine at the end of a chlorine production cycle
ŸPlates need cleaning: See above
ŸHigh bather load: Additional chlorine or shock may be needed
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