21
CORROSION DAMAGE PREVENTION
The Heatstar unit incorporates a metal heating coil which comes into direct contact with the pool water as it
passes though the unit.
All metals can be damaged through corrosion if exposed to pool water with an aggressive and incorrect chemical
composition.
In the case of the Heatstar unit, if the heating coil is damaged, then pool water may enter and contaminate the
refrigeration system and repair costs can be very expensive indeed.
It is obviously usual to continually add potentially corrosive chemicals, such as chlorine and acid, to the pool
water in order to maintain a minimum standard of water quality.
However, the titanium coil used within the Heatstar unit is selected due to it
’s high durability and, if a correct and
appropriate chemical balance is maintained within the pool water, and the method of chemical introduction is
appropriate, then the Heatstar unit will be protected from such corrosion damage.
The pool owner or operator must ensure that the chemical balance of the pool water is correct at all times.
Corrosion damage caused through incorrect operation or application is not covered under the manufacturers
warranty.
The most basic test kit would provide indication of the Free Chlorine level, pH value, Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS) level, and Total alkalinity level.
Although these are the most important aspects to monitor, the pool water composition may contain many more
chemicals and substances which could be causing difficulties and, if corrosion damage problems occur and the
cause is not clear, often an extensive laboratory test is necessary followed by extensive dilution of the pool with
fresh water.
The following precautions will help in preventing corrosion damage :-
CHEMICAL INTRODUCTION :
All purification devices and chemical injection systems must be fitted DOWN STREAM of the Heatstar unit.
This includes the practice of dosing slow dissolving tablets via the skimmer or pump basket, which can result in
concentrated corrosive liquids passing over vulnerable metal components within the Heatstar unit. This relates to
any slow dissolving tablets of ANY description, whether chlorine based or not.
Please note that the installation and usage instructions for the chemical dosing equipment often recommend that
the chemical is introduced before the pool water sand filter. This should NOT be done unless the Heatstar unit is
installed on a completely different pipe circuit.
If the chemicals are introduced down stream of the Heatstar unit but, if the filtration pump stops or the filtration
system is drained down, the chemicals can be drawn back through the Heatstar unit, then a non-return valve
must be fitted.
PH VALUE :
The degree of acidity or alkalinity of water is measured in terms of its pH value. A pH of 7 is neutral; a pH falling
below 7 indicates an increasing degree of acidity, and a pH rising above 7 indicates an increasing degree of
alkalinity.
The correct pH value is necessary to ensure bather comfort and to prevent corrosion or scale formation.
The pH level MUST be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8.
