ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System - Frequently Asked Questions Page 1

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Compatibility

1. Is the ACE salt water sanitizing system back

The ACE system is an option for Hot Spring spas built on or after August 5, 2009.

2. My spa is older than August 5, 2009. Can the ACE salt water sanitizing system work with my spa?

In order for the ACE system to function properly it must be installed on a Hot Spring spa with a 2009 control panel, and an August 5th 2009-or-newer control box. If the spa is older than 2009, we recommend considering it a trade-in opportunity.

3. How long have chlorine-based salt systems been used in the pool & spa market?

4. Why have the chlorine-based salt systems worked for pools but failed for portable spas in the past?

Spas have a much smaller body of water at much higher temperatures, creating a variety of challenges for chlorine-based salt systems.
- High levels of salt in unstable water can be corrosive
- High water temperature shortens the life of chlorine
- High bather loads and low water volume can cause rapid swings in chlorine levels
- High water temperature increases the rate of scale formation of equipment (electrodes)

5. How long has the ACE salt water sanitizing system been in testing?

Watkins has been testing the diamond technology for over 3 years. The components of the current ACE system have been in testing for 1.5 years.

6. How does the ACE salt water sanitizing system overcome challenges relating to salt water based chlorine generation in a spa?

The system is sized specifically for a spa
The diamond technology allows us to generate chlorine at lower salt levels - 1000ppm.
The Vanishing Act calcium remover allows us to keep water hardness much lower (50ppm) than with traditional water care.
The chlorine generating cell is easy to access and easy to clean.

7. How is the ACE salt water sanitizing system different from a traditional chlorine generating system?

Common generator cells use titanium electrodes capable of producing only chlorine. The ACE system uses unique solid diamond electrode along with two titanium electrodes The patented diamond electrode increases the sanitizing power in the water while using less salt.

8. How much salt does the ACE salt water sanitizing system use, and will it cause corrosion?

Pools systems use up to 5000ppm of salt. High salt levels, like those used in a pool, combined with unstable water in a spa can corrode equipment overtime. The unique diamond technology used by the ACE system allows us to minimize salt levels to 1000 - 1500ppm and prevent corrosion.

How does the ACE salt water sanitizing system use diamond technology to generate chlorine?

Unlike common titanium electrodes that convert chloride or bromide salt directly into chlorine or bromine, a diamond electrode used in the ACE system generates high energy Active Oxygen from water. The active oxygen can then clean the water without chlorinated or brominated byproducts. Once the water is clean, the active oxygen produces the chlorine residual as well as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and MPS. (Note that MPS generation is dependent on having pH down present in the water.)

10. Why is diamond technology so much better than any other media?

Diamond electrode technology is superior to conventional titanium electrodes in regards to how the energy is imparted to the water. Ordinary salt water systems are limited to creating only chlorine. Diamond electrodes allow for significantly higher energy to be transferred to the water and first create Active Oxygen. The Active Oxygen scours the water breaking down waste down. Then the chlorine generation takes place in the water as a reaction between the chloride from the salt and the Active Oxygen.

11. Why are most salt water sanitizing systems for spas based on bromine?

Bromine is easier to generate than chlorine and is more stable in a spa environment. Unfortunately bromine has a strong chemical odor and can be more corrosive to spa components than chlorine.