Chlorinator Maintenance: How to Troubleshoot your Injector

The components of a liquid chlorinator system can vary depending on the type and scale of the system. Here are the key components commonly found in chlorinators:

Feed and Flow Control System:
This is the mechanism used to introduce the chlorine into the water. It controls the flow using specialized components like pumps, valves, tubing, flow meters, flow control valves, and pressure regulators.

Injection Point:
The injection point is the location in the water treatment process where the chlorine is added. Mechanical chlorinators/injectors are used to introduce the chlorine to the water.

Monitoring and Control:
Chlorinators are equipped with monitoring and control systems that measure chlorine concentration. They adjust the feed rate, and ensure that the desired level of disinfection is achieved. This may involve sensors, controllers, and automated systems.

Dosing Equipment:
This includes the equipment necessary to measure and deliver the correct amount of chlorine. This involves chemical dosing or metering pumps.

Dosatron dosing pumps do not need electricity to run, so they are a great fit for most installations. When used in a chlorinator system, these pumps adjust for flow and pressure changes. They provide the consistency required for water treatment applications. 

Dosatron’s simple-to-use NSF-certified dosing pumps include:

• D14 Series, which provides a dilution range of 1:3000 to 1:150 with a maximum flow of 14 GPM
• D40 Series, which provides a dilution range of 1:3000 to 1:150 with a maximum flow of 40 GPM.

Maintaining your chlorinator is essential to ensuring your water is free from contamination. With this in mind, Dosatron dosing pumps are designed with ease of maintenance in mind. They allow quick access to internal components that will not degrade the device and its performance.

Chlorinator maintenance begins with troubleshooting. If your chlorinator is not working, start by assessing the problem:

1. Is the injector clicking, but not drawing enough chlorine?
2. Is the injector clicking, but water is going down into the tank?
3. Is the injector not clicking at all?

Your chlorinator is clicking

The first two issues (above) are the most common. If the chlorinator is clicking but not drawing chlorine, or if it is clicking but pushing water into the tank, the issue is likely in the injection assembly. If there is suction, the problem could be with a degraded suction hose.

If the top of the hose flares out, you can cut an inch off and reinstall it. If you notice a cracked or stiff hose, it is time to replace it. Another possibility is that the strainer is blocked with debris. In this case, you can simply clean it and reinstall it.

If you do not feel any suction, there could be an issue with the plunger seal or check valve. Any damage is a sign that these parts need to be replaced. If there is no damage, you can simply clean and reinstall these parts.

Your chlorinator is not clicking

If the injector is not clicking, you should check the piston. Visually inspect the flanges. If they are scratched, worn or damaged, they should be replaced.

You can also do a fit test to make sure the piston fits snugly into the bell housing and body. If the upper or lower flange is loose, they must be replaced.

You can purchase maintenance parts from the  Dilution Solutions web store.

If you are looking to replace your chlorinator or purchase a new water-powered chemical dosing pump, consider the following  NSF/ANSI 62 & 372 certified products: