STEP 1 - Proper Water Balance Requirements:
Proper COMMANDER I System operation is dependent on proper pool water conditions. Manually balance
the pool water chemistry to meet all suggested ranges of water balance factors listed below before start-
up of the COMMANDER I unit. From that point forward your COMMANDER I System will assist you in
keeping your water chemistry factors in balance.
BEFORE START UP, MAKE SURE THE POOL WATER MEETS THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: ALL WATER
BALANCE FACTORS SHOULD BALANCE WITH LANGELIER'S SATURATION INDEX. WE RECOMMEND A VISIT
TO YOUR LOCAL POOL PROFESSIONAL.
COMMANDER I System Required Ranges (And periods for testing water for these water balance factors.)
STEP 2 - Bi-Weekly Checks
3) Calcium Hardness 200 - 300 ppm
1) Free Available Chlorine = 1.0 - 3.0 ppm (pool)
4) Total Alkalinity 100 - 200 ppm
Free Available Bromine = 2.0
- 4.0 ppm (pool)
5) Cyanuric Acid 60-80 ppm (Outdoor)
Free Available Chlorine = 3.0 - 5.0 ppm (spa)
6) Salt Residual 2800-3200 ppm
Free Available Bromine = 3.0
- 5.0 ppm (spa)
7) Langelier's Index (water balance) + or - 0.3
2) pH 7.2-7.8
STEP 3 - Monthly Checks: CAUTION: Excessive Free Available Chlorine(>3.0 ppm) or Free Available
Bromine (> 4.0 ppm) causes corrosion of any metal components in contact with pool/spa water. Staining
and premature failure of heaters, filters, and other metal components will be the result. Do not exceed
recommended purifier ranges. NOTE: Standard (DPD) pool water test kits do not read chlorine/bromine
levels above approximately 8.0 ppm. Test reagents, at high levels, return to a clear liquid. AVOID HIGH
PURIFIER LEVELS!
STEP 4 - Salt Requirements: It is important that a suggested salt level of 3000 ppm be maintained at all
times. Allowing less than 2800 ppm salt will activate a double flashing red CHECK SYSTEM light and stop
purifier generation. The amount of salt required depends on the size of the pool. Use the chart on the next
page to determine the amount of salt to add, in pounds or kilograms, for a new pool start up. Also test
your make up water for its level of salt and compare it with the charts on the next page. Before adding
salt to a pool for the first time, turn your COMMANDER I unit OFF, open your main drain, then pour salt
around the perimeter of the pool.
NOTE: Homeowners with water softening/treatment equipment, which utilize salt, may already have sub-
stantial levels of salt in their drinking water. So before adding this water to your pool, test the level of
salt, then determine the amount of salt still needed to be added to bring the level up to the suggested
3000 ppm start-up level.
NOTE: Before adding any make-up water to your pool, it is suggested that pre-testing the make-up water
for high pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness will aid in the adjustment of these levels before they
become excessive.
Manual Cleaning Of Cells
In normal conditions the COMMANDER I unit should not require Manual Cleaning. If manual cleaning is
required, check water chemistry for possible imbalances or call the factory for consultation, and use the
following procedure:
STEP 1 - Remove the cell by loosening the unions to release.
STEP 2 - Fill a bucket with 1 part muriatic acid added to 4 parts of water. PUT WATER IN BUCKET FIRST!
CAUTION: Always add acid to
WATER,
never water to acid.
STEP 3 - Submerge the cell, NOT THE FLOW SWITCH!
STEP 4 - After 10 - 15 minutes of foaming, remove the cell. Rinse out with fresh water.
STEP 5 - If cell blades still have white crusty scale deposits on them, repeat the process, not to exceed 15
minute intervals.
NOTE: DO NOT try to remove any scale from cell blades with any tools. This may scratch or damage
the coating on the blades and will VOID WARRANTY.
Pool Water Preparation & Monitoring
Section 1 b
5
