Hi

I have a CDS-16 Ozone Generator in my spa and the manual that came with it recommends replacing the MicroChip every year. Is this really necessary or only for best performance? What actually "degrades" in the microchip and how much do these cost? I'm at one year, and I have a 330 gallon LS7000 LifeSprings Spa (Burboa Manufacturing).

The "chip" that needs to be replaced is the actual ozone generator. It is simply something similar to a spark plug, but on a chip, and designed for the proper arc. What happens is over time the arc becomes less effcient and will need to be replaced. They recommend every year, I change mine about every 3. The front of the ozone generator may have a clear plastic window where you can observe the corona. Mine does and when it starts to lessen is when I change it. The arc appears as a purple glow around a black line.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to take a look in there next time the jets are on to see if mine has the miniature lightning show observation window. Any idea what those chips cost?

Depends on where you can locate them on the cost. However, just to let you know, ozonators usually only turn on during the filter/heat cycle, not with the jets.

Interesting reading I found here.

Q. I know there is a replaceable chip in the ECS units; I just want to know what happens to the old one. If it were a bulb I could understand it deteriorating over time, but this is a chip. How are my customers supposed to know when it is no longer effective other than what the owner's manual says? I want to know what makes the chip deteriorate. I know about the purple glow, tell me if there is no bulb, what deteriorates? If after replacing the chip, the ozonator still doesn't "glow" what are my options? Throw it away?
A. The Spa Eclipse and CDS models of ozone generators were designed with the customer in mind. When you initially plug in one of these generators, you will notice a purple glow that reaches about two thirds of the way across the chip. The customer will know when to replace the chip when the purple glow is almost gone, or gone. They may look at their ozonator once they recognize their water quality is degrading.


Generally speaking, one to two years is average for changing out a chip.


The chip starts to reduce its ozone output because as air is drawn in across the chip, any impurities are dropped out and plate out on the surface of the chip. As the deposits build up on this surface it starts to block the electrode, thus creating less ozone. The chip can be pulled out and cleaned which may prolong its life but will NOT bring it back to 100%. If after replacing the "chip" and the unit still does not work, we would recommend contacting Charlie Adams here at DEL Ozone at 1-800-676-1335 Ext. 248. He will issue an RGA # to return that unit back on and determine the cause of failure. If it is under warranty then it will be replaced.



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