Rainbow 320 Chlorinator Tips & Troubleshooting

My pool has almost no chlorine so I checked the chlorinator and none of the tablets are melting. I watched a video where they put boiling water in an empty chlorinator to dissolve all the gunk that holds the tablets together. Have you used this method and do you suggest it?

I just wish I knew what the proper dosage and dial setting would be for my 11,000 gallon pool? I'm seeing my cyanuric acid levels overshoot way up when I'm 75% full, and 100% open on the dial.

Thank you ! Moved into a house with a pool (we’ve never had one before) so this video was really helpful

Thank you this was helpful!

Recently my chlorinator started gushing water when I turn the system back on. What should I do?

I have the opposite problem. When the chlorinator valve is turned off it still dissolves the tablets. Chlorine level way to high. I ordered a new valve and appears nothing wrong with old valve. I do not have a heater. Any help appreciated.

How long should it take for 1" bromine to dissolve on 5 setting?

how quickly do the tabs disintegrate and need refilled?

I've spent well over a year trying to figure out why there is no water in my chlorinator, the reason...the guy who installed my new variable pump and chlorinator removed the check valve. Thanks Leslie's...

dude...this channel has everything one needs to know about pools and equipment!

Thank you! Something so simple as letting the water fill. I don’t know why when I was being taught they didn’t teach this. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I just had this same issue and checked everything: the check valve, the flow into the canister, EVERYTHING! Then I decided to fill up my pool’s water level and I found out THAT was the cause of no chlorinated water flowing out of the canister. Hope this helps you if you are having this issue!

Can you add more tablets or only 1 at a time?

I need to replace the Control Valve due to it being old and leaking. Does it just screw out and in or do I need plumber's blue glue?

What about the little knob with numbers on the side of the chlorination, how do I know what setting it should be on?

What is that black plug for?

Your videos are truly exceptional - they have helped me a lot. I just broke my Rainbow 320 and it will be a few days before the new one comes in. Can I plug the side opening and cap the top so I can at least run the pump a few hours a day? It’s going to be 91 tomorrow. Thanks so much!

Quick question. I’ve had the same tabs in over a month with little notice of the tabs being eaten. I just tried this yesterday and watched mine fill up before putting on the lid. Now do I have to do this daily when my pump turns on or only when I open it to add tabs? What’s the difference when it turns off at night and then starts back up in the morning? Wouldn’t I need to open it, prime the pump, and then close the lid before it over flows? I hope this fixes my brand new pool always being low on chlorine.

OMG, I've been using that chlorinator wrong for almost 20 years.

Hey man thanks for great videos!!! Can I plumb a pentair rainbow 320 into a 3/4 inch line. Reducing 1 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch on each end or do I need a 300 model? Thanks

Hello,
Im not sure if this is something I should be concerned about or if it is normal but water continues to flow in the chlorinator while the knob is turned to 0. My worry is the pressure the water will cause with the lid on will cause damage? Or is that normal? It drains quickly when I shut off the pump but when I turn it back on (I did wait a few minutes after shutting off to see if water will completely drain out) it continues to fill with water even when the knob is at zero. Im completely new to this and am not sure if this is a silly question or even a concern to have. Thank you in advance

Thank you

Never drain the chlorinator before filling it. Always load it full of water. That pushes the gas out and doesn't break the screen in the bottom when you drop tabs on it.

Idk if you've done one yet, but a video on the replacement of the 320 internal check valve would be great.
I find them to be a common enough problem sticking shut that I keep a couple on the truck.
The locking screw underneath is what trips people up, they don't know its there.
I have seen some seriously mangled threads caused by trying to unscrew the 320 without removing the locking screw.
Great videos!

What happens when you try to loosen the chlorinator lid and the whole chlorinator tube turns?

how much pressure can this chlorinator handle?

Do you need a check valve for the chlorinator if the heater they have is titanium

I'm trying to troubleshoot our chlorinator. The tablets don't appear to be melting. It seems to fill and drain fine, but I have a tablet stuck to the bottom that I can't lift out so I can't get to the screen underneath to check it. Strong chlorine smell when I take the cap off. I haven't checked the lines on the side yet, but my question is how do I pry that stuck tablet out? any tips on how to do that? Thanks!

Great video, thank you. My issue is daily I needed to open lid, fill chlorinitor with water and close lid. I’ll go back a couple hours later and it’s empty again. I’ve checked the tubes and elbows and all clear. What could be the problem? Cheers

My chloronator water flows from top hole, could this cause issues

Installed this product after the filter per the instructions with a properly oriented check valve and zero flow, installed the hi-flow kit and no flow, replaced the check valve and doubled checked the screen for clogging and still no flow. I'd like to hear your comments regarding the reliability of these products, dealing with pool contractors in Las Vegas, the reviews are mixed at best.

can you use calcium hypochloride granules with a chlorinator or is it only for tablets ? thanks

I am about to shoot you a message on your site, but thought I’d post here to in case someone else has an answer or idea...
We have a 2 month old Rainbow 320 chlorinator. We have no heater. And also have a one month old pentair pump. Ours is an “unground/above ground” pool with a 5 year old vinyl liner, 23,500 gallons. It’s been here since the 1970’s. Our new rainbow chlorinator “rattles”, have determined it is the screen popping loose and rattling around. It does this all the time, not just when the tabs dissolve. Have you figured out a way to keep the screen in place? I have put it back in “between the 4 posts” several times. It stays there for maybe 5 minutes. It is not clogged. Thoughts??

your videos are very helpful.... thanks.

My Rainbow 320 Chlorinator has a loud rattling check valve. It is a little internal plastic marble. The constant rattling is driving me up the wall. It has done this from day one. I red that you need to have at least 1 foot of straight pipe before and after the unit to prevent cavitation. I have now plumbed in 3 feet before and after. It made no difference. I'm sure other have had this problem. Does anyone know how to fix this issue. If not, does anyone know where I can rent a Howitzer for a day? I would really prefer doing a fix. The Howitzer option would likely cause a little more damage to deal with. And I have one neighbor that would strongly disapprove of that method.

Your videos are amazingly helpful- thank you for putting these up!

how do you know what setting to turn the metering dial to? we have a 10,000 gallon pool and a 1hp pump

My hose is at a strange angle and keeps crimping when tightening, any suggestions to stop crimp? Thanks and your video's are very helpful.

I knew inwas supposed to let that fill up with water! Grrrrr

My pvc pipe that comes from my system like this is leaking could it be that this is the problem

Following your instructions but when i have the lid off and start the system up, the water fills the whole chlorinator in about 2 seconds so there is no time to start it up and get the lid back on before it is all gushing over the sides. Any idea what's wrong? I turned the dial to 0 but it still fills to fast.

Do the 3" tablets dissolve slower that the 1"? My CYA got up to 300 using 1" tablets. Had to drain the pool. :(

dude thanks for this video. helped me out a bunch.

Great informative video!

If you don't have a heater do you have to worry about a check valve?

Is there an installation video anywhere??

Mine seems to have low pressure. The water flows out of the tub when level but when attached to the top of the chlorinator, the water will not flow into the chamber. Any ideas why?

Rather than removing the top to bleed off air and fill the tube with water, you can simply open the bleeder bolt at the top while the pump is running.

The hoses that go in and out of the chlorinator broke. I fixed them and put them back on, but it keeps popping back off. I don't know what to do. How do I fix it properly?