SALTMASTER TM

SALTWATER CHLORINATOR
Installation & Operating Instructions
H0744500_REVB
 Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

For full warranty terms and conditions and to register

your warranty, visit https://warranty.baracuda.com.au/
and complete your details. Or scan the QR code to go
directly to the registration page

Record your equipment details here for quick reference:

Model No. : ________________________________________

Serial No. : ________________________________________

Refer to the following websites for information on warranty and service in your country:
• Australia, NZ, Asia and South Pacific go to www.zodiac.com.au

EQUIPMENT INFORMATION RECORD

Date of Installation ____________________

Installer Information ______________________________________________________________

Initial Pressure Gauge Reading (with clean filter) __________________________________

Pump Model ___________________________ Horsepower ___________________________

Filter Model ___________________________ ________________________________________

Control Panel Model ___________________ Serial Number _________________________

Notes ____________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Table of Contents
Section 1. Important Safety Instructions...... 4 Section 10. Setting the Right Chlorine
Output and Filtration Time........... 8
Section 2. General Overview........................... 5 10.1 Summer............................................................ 8
10.2 Winter................................................................ 8
Section 3. Chlorinator Controller 10.3 Checking Chlorine Level.................................. 8
Installation...................................... 5
Section 11. Water Chemistry............................ 8
Section 4. Cell Installation.............................. 5 11.1 Stabiliser/Cyanuric Acid ................................ 8
11.2 pH Level............................................................ 9
Section 5. Pool Preparation.............................7 11.3 Total Alkalinity................................................. 9
11.4 Salt Level.......................................................... 9
Section 6. Programming ..................................7
6.1 Setting Current Time/Day ..............................7 Section 12. Chlorinator Maintenance and
6.2 Setting Timers...................................................7 Troubleshooting............................. 9
6.3 Programming Recommendations...................7
Section 13. Cell Maintenance........................... 9
Section 7. Chlorine Output ..............................7
Section 14. Cell Cleaning Instructions............. 9
Section 8. User Operation................................7
Section 15. Maintenance of Your
Section 9. Fault Codes..................................... 8 Chlorinator.................................... 10

Section 16. Troubleshooting ........................... 11

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 Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Section 1. Important Safety Instructions

READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
All electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician and conform to all national, state,
and local codes. When installing and using this electrical equipment, basic safety precautions
should always be followed, including the following:

DANGER
To reduce the risk of severe injury or death, do not remove the suction fittings of your spa or hot tub.
Never operate a spa or hot tub if the suction fittings are broken or missing. Never replace a suction fitting
with one rated less than the flow rate marked on the equipment assembly.

WARNING
Risk of electric shock - Install the controller at least 3.5 metres from the inside wall of the pool and/or hot
tub using non-metallic plumbing.
Children should not use spas or hot tubs without adult supervision.
Do not use spas or hot tubs unless all suction guards are installed to prevent body and hair entrapment.
People using medications and/or having an adverse medical history should consult a physician before
using a spa or hot tub.

WARNING
A terminal bar marked "GROUND" is provided within the controller. To reduce the risk of electrical shock
which can cause serious injury or death, connect this terminal bar to the grounding terminal of your
electric service or supply panel with a continuous copper conductor having green insulation and one that
is equivalent in size to the circuit conductors supplying this equipment in accordance with AS/NZ 3000 -
2010. In addition, where required, bonding should be extended in accordance with AS/NZ 3000 - 2010 to
any metal ladders, water pipes, or other metal within 3.5 m of the pool/spa.

Attention Installer: Install to provide drainage of compartment for electrical components.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Section 2. General Overview Section 3. Chlorinator

Controller Installation
Congratulations! You have purchased a
The Saltmaster Chlorinator controller has
Baracuda Saltmaster Saltwater Chlorinator.
a Rating of IP23 enabling it to be installed
Please read the instructions carefully and your
outdoors. Regulations require that the control
purchase will provide you with years of trouble
is not allowed to be located within 3.5 metres
free use.
of the pool water.
Your Saltmaster Chlorinator works by
The chlorinator controller should be installed
converting some of the salt (sodium chloride) in
in a well ventilated position ideally away from
your pool into chlorine which starts to destroy
direct sunlight. Ensure that the unit is not
algae and bacteria and sanitises your pool. As
located near pool chemicals as fumes may
part of the process, the chlorine is converted
damage the control.
back into salt and hence salt is not consumed.
When installing the controller on a post, first
Your chlorinator control has many features
attach a flat waterproof panel at least 500 mm
which ensure simple operation of your
wide by 300 mm long or onto a flat wall that
chlorinator and filtration system.
prevents ingress from behind the control. Make
The Saltmaster Chlorinator has an internal sure the controller is located centrally on the
electronic time clock designed to operate the panel or wall and sits flat.
filtration pump up to 2 separate time periods
Plug the 3 pin plug into a suitable weatherproof
each day. The control has a non replaceable
outlet and then plug the pump into the 3 pin
backup power source which is designed to
socket in the chlorinator controller.
maintain timer setting memory in the event of
an infrequent and short power interruption. NOTE: The pump current rating must not
exceed 8 amps.

WARNING
This appliance is not intended for use by
Section 4. Cell Installation
persons including young children or infirm The chlorinator cell should be the last piece of
persons with reduced physical, sensory or equipment installed on the pipe work just prior
mental capabilities, or lack of experience
to the return to the pool. However if valves are
or knowledge, unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use installed between the chlorinator and the pool
of the appliance by a person responsible for outlet, it is essential that they cannot deadhead
their safety. the pump. If the pressure in the cell exceeds
250 kPa and/or the water temperature exceeds
Please ensure that young children are 40 degrees Celsius, the cell may fail.
supervised to ensure that they do not play
with the pump or chlorinator.
WARNING
If the supply cord if damaged, to avoid a safety Never install the cell before the pump or
hazard, it must only be replaced by a suitably heater.
qualified person.
The cell MUST be installed with the barrel
unions underneath (water connections pointing
downwards) and the cell should be horizontal.
The cell is suitable for 40 mm pipe only. Use high
pressure PVC pipe and glue into the barrel union
tails. Make sure that the O-rings are correctly
fitted and the unions are tightened firmly.

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 Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Direction of flow through the cell is critical –

unit must be plumbed with the water entering
the cell at the end closest to the terminal WARNING
connections. Cell must be installed in the return pipework
to the pool. Always install after filter, gas
heater, and solar heater or heat pump
WARNING connections.

It is essential that pipe work and equipment

do not allow gases generated from the cell to
collect and build up. WARNING
DO NOT install isolation valves on inlet or
outlet of cell.

WARNING Once the cell is located, connect the cell cable

Cell must be installed horizontally with water to the cell. All terminal posts and cell cable
connections pointing downwards – this creates connectors are colour coded, ensure the
a safety gas trap. Installation in any other way correct colours are connected. Ensure that the
may cause explosion, injury or death. connectors are seated firmly and correctly.

Controller
Pool/Spa
tor
Pump 3-Way Valve
r Chlorina
Saltwate

MENU

ENTER

r
ato
orin
Chl
ter
twa
Sal

Filter

Heater

Check Intake from

Valve Spa Return the Pool
Cell
Pool Return (always the last device on the
plumbing line prior to return
outlet)

Pipe Centres
108 mm

Pool Return
From
Filter/Pump

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Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Section 5. Pool Preparation 6.2 Setting Timers

The recommended salt level for the Saltmaster Your chlorinator has 2 timers enabling you to
Chlorinator is 6,000 ppm. The chlorinator set different periods in which your chlorinator/
requires between 4,000 ppm and 6,000 ppm pump will operate. Timers are set by entering a
of salt dissolved into the pool water. The level of start time and an off time. To set timers, do the
salt will depend on water temperature, but if a following:
level of 6,000 ppm dissolved salt is allowed for,
your chlorinator will always be able to produce (a) Press the MENU button twice and screen
the maximum level of chlorine. We recommend should display TMR. Press ENTER.
you add 6 kgs of salt for every 1,000 litres of (b) Use up and down arrows to adjust start
water (a typical pool of around 50,000 litres time for TIMER1. Press ENTER.
requires 300 kg of salt).
(c) Use up and down arrows to adjust the off
Salt should always be added at the shallow end time for TIMER 1. Press ENTER.
of the pool and allowed to dissolve. Running (d) Repeat for TIMER 2.
the pump will mix the water and speed the
dissolving process.
6.3 Programming Recommendations

Baracuda recommends that you use two

WARNING timers, one for the morning and one for the
Never add salt to the skimmer box!! evening and typically for periods of 2-5 hours
for each (depending on pool size and season).
NOTE: Plug the pump directly into a power outlet Your chlorinator is most effective if running in
(bypass the chlorinator) and run for 8-10 hours the early morning or evening when it is cooler
to ensure the salt is dissolved prior to running
(strong sunlight consumes more chlorine).
the chlorinator.
As a factory default, the control is set to come on
When the salt is dissolved, connect the pump to at 8 am and 4 pm both for periods of 4 hours.
the chlorinator and run it on maximum chlorine
output. Check that low salt is not indicated
on the screen. If it is, check again in 24 hours. Section 7. Chlorine Output
If the low salt indicator still persists, have the
To adjust the chlorine output:
salt level checked by your local pool shops and
ensure it is increased to 6,000 ppm. (a) Use Increase/Decrease arrows for
setting the chlorine output level of the
chlorinator. The chlorinator output can
Section 6. Programming be set from levels 1 through to 8.
6.1 Setting Current Time/Day (b) Chlorine Output display shows the
level set
SELECT OFF:

(a) Press the MENU button and screen Section 8. User Operation
should display CLK. Press ENTER. The user mode buttons enable you to select
(b) Press ENTER and the hour digit will flash. and to automatically or manually control the
Use up and down arrows to adjust. chlorinator/pump. Functions are as follows:
(c) Press ENTER to change to minutes
POOL MODE:
and set.
(d) Press ENTER and select AM or PM. (a) Auto - Running: The chlorinator/pump
will run according to how you have set
(e) Press MENU to save.
the timers.

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 Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

(b) Manual - Running: The chlorinator/ 10.2 Winter

pump will run continuously.
You should set your chlorinator to operate for
(c) Manual - Stopped: The chlorinator/
pump will stay off continuously. 6 to 8 hours per day. Again, running it in the
morning and evening is preferable.

Section 9. Fault Codes 10.3 Checking Chlorine Level

The User Display can indicate the following fault
Ideally, check your chlorine level after the
codes;
morning operating period. The free chlorine
• NO F – No flow indication residual level should be somewhere between
1 and 3 parts per million. Increase or decrease
• LO S – Low salt indication the output of the chlorinator to get the right
Refer to troubleshooting table at the end of this residual chlorine level. It may also be necessary
manual for actions to correct these errors. to adjust the operating period if you are running
at minimum or maximum output.

Section 10. Setting the

Right Chlorine Output and Section 11. Water Chemistry
Filtration Time 11.1 Stabiliser/Cyanuric Acid
Your Saltmaster Chlorinator must be run
every day to ensure that your pool is correctly As previously mentioned, sunlight rapidly
sanitised. As the sun dissipates chlorine, running dissipates the amount of free chlorine in your
times are higher in the summer compared to the pool. Chlorine stabiliser greatly reduces this
winter. Baracuda recommends that you initially effect. Without stabiliser, you may need to run
run your chlorinator at maximum output for the your chlorinator and filtration system up to
first few days, then adjust as required. 16 hours per day or longer.

Keep the stabiliser reading between 30 and

10.1 Summer 60 ppm.
You should set your chlorinator to operate for
8 to 10 hours per day. Ideally, run it for 4-5 11.2 pH Level
hours in the morning (say 8 - 12 pm) and 4-5
You should keep you pH level between 7.0
hours in the evening (say 6 - 11 pm).
and 7.4 for fibreglass pools and 7.2 to 7.6 for
In extremely hot weather it may be necessary to other pools.
extend the running time if you find that the free
chlorine level is too low. 11.3 Total Alkalinity

To prevent consumption of chlorine by sunlight, The ideal range is between 80 and 120 ppm.
try adding cyanuric acid as recommended by
your local pool professional. Additional benefit 11.4 Salt Level
will be gained by operating your chlorinator and
Although salt is not consumed by the
pump into the evening when the strong sunlight
chlorinator, salt is lost during backwashing,
has abated. See Section 11 for more information.
and when your pool overflows due to rain or
Chlorine is most effective when the pH of your splashing. The correct salt level is important
pool water is 7.4. The electro-chemical process to cell life and the effective operation of your
of the chlorinator, (change salt into chlorine) will chlorinator. Salt level should be maintained
automatically raise the pH of your pool water, so around 6,000 ppm but should never be allowed
it is very important to check your pH weekly and to fall below 4,000 ppm.
adjust as necessary.

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Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

A typical pool of around 50,000 litres requires Section 12. Chlorinator

300 kg of salt to initially set-up the pool to
6,000 ppm. Maintenance and
Troubleshooting
A low salt level warning is indicated on your
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be
Saltmaster Chlorinator if the salt level drops. If
replaced by Baracuda or its service agent
"Low Salt" is indicated, check again in 24 hours
or a similarly qualified person in order to
and then if it is still indicated, add two 20 kg
avoid a hazard.
bags of salt to the shallow end of your pool. Run
the filtration system for approx. 6 hours to help
mix the salt in the pool. It can take up to a day
for the salt to fully dissolve.
WARNING
Operating the chlorinator with less than
If the "Low Salt" light is still on, then you should 3,000 ppm of dissolved salt in the water may
get your pool water tested. If the salinity is cause damage to the cell and will void the
warranty. Never start the chlorinator until
above 6,000 ppm, however, the low salt warning the correct quantity of salt has been added
can be activated due to cold water temperature. and dissolved in your pool water.
To check if there is a fault or it is caused by cold
water activation, check with your local pool
shop for advice. Section 13. Cell Maintenance
Your Saltmaster Chlorinator has an automatic
WARNING cleaning feature that under normal conditions,
Never add salt directly to the skimmer
will keep the cell plates clear of deposits of salt
box. This practice should be avoided as it and calcium.
allows very high concentrations of salt to be The cell has a negative charge sensor that
passed through your filtration and other pool monitors the flow and salt levels of the water.
equipment. This sensor is designed to be fail safe. As it is
negative charge deposits of calcium or other
debris may be deposited on it and cause it to
11.5 Water Chemistry Table indicate a low salt or no flow condition. Should
a low salt condition be indicated, have your salt
Test and maintain correct water balance level checked at your local pool shop. If the low
throughout the season, according to the water salt condition persists, or a no flow condition is
chemistry table below. indicated when the supply pump is operating, you
NOTE: Test all equipment sensors quarterly. may need to manually clean your chlorinator cell.

Free pH Total Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Cyanuric Acid Salt

Chlorine (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) Level (ppm)
Australian Standard 1 -3 7.2 - 7.8 60 - 200 100 - 400 up to 50 4000 - 7000
AS 3633-1989 Private Swimming ***
Pools-Water Quality

Ideal range 1-3 7.4 80 - 140 90 - 300 up to 50 4000 at 27°C

To Increase Add Add buffer Add sodium Add calcium chlo- Add cyanuric Add salt or
chlorine or or soda ash bicarbonate ride acid minerals **
increase (sodium
equipment carbonate)
output
To Decrease Add muriatic Add muriatic Partially drain and Partially drain Partially drain
acid acid or dry acid refill pool* and refill pool* and refill pool*
In Season Testing Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Monthly
Frequency
* Fill pool with water from the mains water supply. Do not use rain water or well water
** Do not add salt directly into the skimmer. Do not initiate electrolysis until salt has fully dissolved
*** Reading is True Calcium Hardness, not Total Calcium Hardness

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 Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Section 14. Cell Cleaning Section 15. Maintenance of

• Close applicable valves Your Chlorinator
• Disconnect the chlorinator from the mains Maintenance Schedule: Your new product
by removing the 3 pin plug incorporates moving parts and withstands high
• Disconnect the cell wires velocity water with chemicals in it. Some of
• Undo the barrel nuts connecting the cell to these parts will wear in the normal course of use
your filtration system and require regular checks and maintenance.
• Turn the cell upside down (inlet and Performing these checks and maintenance will
outlet on top) and fill the cell with a mix of identify parts that have worn and require repair/
1 part hydrochloric acid to 10 parts water replacement before further serious damage
and leave standing for a few minutes. As is sustained. A small amount of regular care
an alternative, you may use an approved and attention to your pool equipment will help
commercial cell cleaning solution
ensure long life and trouble free performance.
• Repeat if necessary and then rinse well in
clean water
To protect against extremes of temperature,
• Re-install the cell ensuring o-rings are your unit is vented to allow electronics to cool.
correctly located and barrel nuts are Ants and some insects are often attracted
tightened to prevent leaks
to the warmer, dry environment inside the
• Re-connect cell wires ensuring all enclosure. We recommend that, with power
connections are in the proper colour-coded
connecter turned off, spray a surface insecticide on the
surfaces surrounding the control to prevent ant
• Return all valves to their normal positions,
re-connect power to the chlorinator and and insect ingress. Repeat every three months
turn on at power point. or as necessary.

NOTE: Insect ingress is not covered by your

WARNING warranty.
Follow safety instructions provided with
the hydrochloric acid or cleaning solution.
When handling hydrochloric acid, the use of IMPORTANT NOTICE: Regular maintenance is
eye protection, mask and gloves are highly important to ensure long life and trouble-free
recommended. Extreme caution should be performance of your pool equipment. If unable to
taken whenever handling hydrochloric acid or perform the maintenance yourself, contact your
cell cleaning solution. local pool shop to arrange for a trained service
technician to perform the maintenance for you.

Timing Maintenance Check Service action (if required)

Fortnightly Check cell for calcium build up Soak electrode in mixture of 1 part acid to 10 parts
water. Use a soft brush only if required. NOTE: Always
add acid to water, and never the reverse.

Check water chemistry Balance pH in pool and adjust output of unit to ensure
satisfactory production of chlorine.

Check cable connections to cell Ensure no water contact is occurring with pins.

Three Check cell connections for leaks Isolate pump, turn power off, clean and grease
Monthly o-rings or replace if necessary.

Check for insects/ants Spray a surface insecticide on the surfaces around the
unit to prevent ant and insect ingress.

Six Monthly Check chlorine levels and pump Adjust timer and output depending on demand for
operating hours current season.

Prevent insect ingress to Turn controller off, use an insect spray and spray onto
controller walls around controller. Do not spay directly into unit.
Wait for the spray to dry before turning unit on.

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Baracuda® SaltmasterTM Saltwater Chlorinator | Installation and Operating Instructions

Section 16. Troubleshooting

Your Saltmaster Chlorinator has diagnostic and
safety features to make it easy to maintain your
system. The table below summarises potential
faults and their causes.

Fault Indication Potential Cause Remedy

NO F (No flow) Pump turned off/disconnected or Ensure valves/pump on.
valves closed

Blue wire disconnected from cell Connect blue sense wire to cell.

LO S (Low salt) Salt level in pool has dropped too low Take sample of water to pool shop
and check salt level – add salt as
recommended.

Pool water temperature is low Add salt and turn chlorinator output
down until the water is warmer.

Cell has calcified Clean cell.

Cell has failed Call for service.

Display blank No power to controller Plug in controller and ensure mains

power available.

Fuse blown Have a service technician replace

fuse (3 amp slow blow).

Low/No chlorine in pool Cables not connected to cell Connect cables.

Timer period too short Increase timer period – particularly

in summer.

Chlorine output level too low Increase chlorine output.

Filter needs backwashing Backwash filter.

pH too high Balance pH level to 7.4 – 7.6

Pool stabiliser (cyanuric acid) too low Increase stabiliser between 30 and
60 ppm.

Salt level too low Increase salt to above 6,000 ppm.

Clock loses time when Battery life expired Call a technician.

mains power removed

For spare parts and further advice, please

consult the website, go to
www.baracuda.com.au

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Baracuda is a registered trademark of

Fluidra Group Australia Pty Ltd

ABN 87 002 641 965
219 Woodpark Rd, Smithfield, NSW 2164 Australia
Tel: 1300 784 423 www.baracuda.com.au

© Copyright Fluidra Australia Ltd 2021

H0744500_REVB