Astral E25 & E35 Salt Chlorinator Review - Honest Opinion
👍The Good: | Good chlorine production, self-cleaning salt cell, easy operation |
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👎The Bad: | Parts often need replacing, PCB frail and can encounter issues |
⭐Rating: | |
🔍Verdict: | Not a terrible option, but better chlorinators are available for this price |
Product Comparison Table - AstralPool E25
Before we dive into the review, let's take a look at the main specs for this product, and how it compares to other similar models.
Name | AstralPool E25 | AstralPool E35 |
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Best Price |
Astral E25 & E35 Salt Chlorinator Review
The Astral E25 & E35 salt chlorinator is an Australian-made machine that aims to provide quality performance at a reasonable price.
This machine boasts high longevity for replaceable parts when compared to other machines, but how well does this chlorinator stack up to the competition?
In this Astral E25 & E35 salt chlorinator review, we will discuss the design, chlorination performance, build quality, price, and warranty of this machine.
We will also give an overview of its pros and cons and answer some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision when purchasing your next salt chlorinator.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quality chlorine production
- Self-cleaning salt cell with reverse polarity
- Transparent salt cell for easy viewing
- Can be long-lasting
Cons
- Poor offerings for repairs/replacement parts
- Printed circuit board may be of poor quality
Design
The Astral E25 & E35 salt chlorinator consists of a refined, mountable control panel and an in-line, semi-transparent salt cell.
Available in two different sizes, the E25 is equipped to handle pools up to 96,000 litres in volume, while the E35 can manage pools up to 120,000 litres in volume.
The maximum pool volume for these machines can also be affected by climate. If you live in a warmer climate, the maximum pool volumes for the E25 and E35 are 50,000 litres and 75,000 litres, respectively.
The Astral E25 & E35 come with reverse-polarity-equipped salt-cell plates, giving these machines quality self-cleaning capabilities. This low-maintenance chlorinator also
provides simplified operation and functionality at an affordable price range, making it a suitable choice for most residential swimming pools.
Chlorination Performance
The Astral E25 & E35 chlorinators are Australian-made and designed specifically for Australian conditions. Rather than adding fancy tech features, it instead seeks to provide reliable and robust chlorination performance at a reasonable price.
With a maximum pool volume of 120,000 litres, there is a size of this saltwater chlorinator available to fit almost every residential pool.
Each size of the Astral E25 & E35 salt chlorinators produces chlorine at a different rate. The smaller size, the E25, produces chlorine at a rate of 25 grams per hour, while the E35 produces chlorine at a rate of 35g/hour.
The ideal operating salinity level of these machines ranges from 4,000-8,000 ppm of salt. Above or below this range, you may experience poor chlorine production performance. You could also encounter warning signals or risk incurring permanent damage to your machine.
Build Quality & Warranty
Astral E25 & E35 Problems
There are no widely-reported issues with the build quality of the Astral E25 & E35 Chlorinators salt chlorinator. Some consumers report experiencing failures with large components of the machine, such as the salt cell and the control board, around the five-year mark.
It’s important to note that salt cells for all chlorinators are consumable parts. This means that even with the best manufacturing and appropriate use, they will need to be replaced around the five-year mark, depending on how long you run them for each day.
Some users report issues with the control board failing. These issues do not seem to be widespread. If you don’t mind a bit of DIY, you can likely make cost-effective repairs to your control board by replacing worn-out fuses and resistors.
Astral acknowledges these minor issues with the PCB or printed circuit board that may cause some components to fail. Because this portion of the machine did not live up to design expectations, this chlorinator has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
Astral E25 & E35 Warranty
The warranty of the Astral E25 & E35 Chlorinators salt chlorinators is for 2 years. This warranty period is typical when compared to other saltwater chlorinators on the market and seems to effectively provide coverage to the most crucial elements of the machine.
However, if you are taking your machine for repairs after the warranty period expires, you may be frustrated at the solutions offered to you.
For failures with the salt cell or the control board, customers are advised to replace these units entirely at a cost that rivals the original purchase price of the machine.
Although it is typical for salt cells to need to be replaced after about five years of usage, it should be possible to repair the control panel of this chlorinator rather than entirely replace it.
Astral E25 E35 Chlorinator Price
Although the Astral E25 & E35 Chlorinators salt chlorinators seek to provide consistent performance at an affordable price, the price tags of these machines are not friendly towards all budgets.
The small size of the Astral E series chlorinator, the E25, has a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $1,500, while the E35 will run you about $1,900.
Astral E25 & E35 - FAQ
How Much Is An Astral E25/E35 Replacement Chlorinator Cell?
A replacement salt cell for the Astral E25 & E35 salt chlorinator costs approximately $590. Under normal working conditions, a salt cell should last for approximately five years before needing to be replaced. This is standard among salt cells of most manufacturers.
How Do You Reset An Astral E25/E35 Chlorinator?
To reset your Astral E25/E35 salt chlorinator, press the ‘up’ and ‘down’ buttons on the machine at the same time until the machine shuts off.
This will reset the machine entirely, so after it comes back on you will need to reprogram any timer features or production modes back to your preferred settings.
Final Thoughts - Astral E25 & E35 Review
The Astral E25 & E35 salt chlorinators advertise quality and consistent performance at a reasonable price. While the chlorination performance of these machines does seem to be sufficient, we would not exactly consider the price range of these chlorinators affordable.
Although they are not particularly expensive, cheaper models of chlorinators are available on the market.
There are relatively few issues with the build quality of this machine. The most significant issue with the build quality is related to the printed circuit board of the machine, as this piece can encounter issues that significantly impact the function of the chlorinator.
This issue is what ultimately led to this model being discontinued by the manufacturer.
Price Comparison - AstralPool E25
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