Zodiac LM3 Pool Salt Chlorinator Troubleshooting Help

aladdin on 06/10/2021 - 14:38

Hi Guys

I wonder if anyone can help to troubleshooting my Zodiac LM3 pool salt chlorinator.

I have replaced the actual salt chlorinator cell, and notice that it does not come up any bubble.

Now im not sure should the Cell is death on arrival or cable or the actual PCB circuit.

I have test pen to test the electricity if present.

I tried on the cable to cell from the salt chlorinator, no electricity indicated on test pen.

I opened the salt chlorinator housing and put my test pen on the screw where the cell cable connected to, no electricity present either (refer to image circled in red)
https://imgur.com/a/XhI7EJV

so should it be the pcb board issue or the cable?

Anyone know the direct replacement of Zodiac LM3 to a newer model is? which can connect and use the same cell i have bought?

Thank you for your help.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • brendanm on 06/10/2021 - 15:00
    +1

    What sort of "test pen" are we talking here? If it's just a normal ac thing, you won't find anything, as the chlorinator cells use DC.

    • aladdin on 06/10/2021 - 15:34

      i have this so i try to see if the cable is faulty
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/nelson-ac-voltage-tester_p705198…
      i just read the comment there it seems very unreliable
      but so far it did lit red where i know there is power, i just have it handy with me and use it to see any voltage present with the cell cable.

      I believe i should get the AC/ DC testers. Thanks for your help.

      • brendanm on 06/10/2021 - 17:26
        +1

        You have a high voltage ac tester, however you need to test for low voltage DC. Just get a cheap multimeter from Jaycar or similar.

    • fantombloo on 06/10/2021 - 18:57

      Most use rectified, phase controlled, AC which a test pen can pick up.

      But AC test pens will generally not pick this up since the voltage is lower than most pens' thresholds (usually 100V+ compared to cell approx 20V) and also because the output is isolated from earth (through the transformer) therefore there's no leakage from the terminals through the pen's neon and yourself to earth. Use a proper voltmeter if you have to.

  • colinjames on 06/10/2021 - 17:12

    Here is a start for the technical information about your chlorinator
    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1389867

  • melcooper22 on 19/04/2022 - 15:20

    I have the same salt chlorinator as you but it's an old model that I am thinking to replace with this salt chlorinator https://www.zodiac.com.au/el-series-salt-chlorinator.

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