Upgrading Your Pentair IC40 to the IC40+: Warranty-Safe Guide

When Your Pentair IC40 Is Discontinued: A Real-World Call

We recently got a call from a homeowner — let’s call him Brian — who was trying to track down a replacement salt cell for his Pentair IntelliChlor system. He told us, “I’m pretty sure I have an IC40, it’s about three years old. Can I just buy a new cell?”

When we checked our inventory, we had to break the news we’re delivering to a lot of customers lately: we no longer carry the original IC40; Pentair has moved on to the upgraded IC40+ cell. That led to a bigger conversation with Brian about discontinued models, IC40+ replacements, and how plumbing direction can make or break your warranty.

We walk through this same situation with homeowners all the time, so we thought we’d lay out what we explained to Brian in a simple guide.

IC40 vs IC40+: What We Tell Our Customers

When customers call us asking why they can’t just buy “the same IC40” they already have, here’s how we explain it.

The original IC40 is being phased out and can be hard to find through normal distribution. You might still see some online, but availability is hit or miss, and the warranty can be questionable if it’s not purchased through an authorized source.

The IC40+ is Pentair’s upgraded replacement cell. When we sell an IC40+ over the counter, we explain that:

• It’s the current-production model that replaces the old IC40.
• When purchased from us, it comes with a three-year manufacturer warranty.
• The warranty is still valid even if you install it yourself — as long as it’s installed according to Pentair’s specs.

That last point is where things often get tricky, and where Brian’s call took an important turn.

Why Buying “Anywhere Online” Can Cost You Your Warranty

Many homeowners tell us, “I see IC40 cells on Amazon for cheaper; why shouldn’t I just get one of those?” Here’s how we walk through that decision with them.

When you buy from an authorized dealer like us:

• You know the cell is genuine and new — not refurbished or gray market.
• You get the full Pentair warranty period (three years on the IC40+ in our case).
• We can look at your specific equipment and plumbing and warn you about any warranty risks before you install it.

If you find an old-style IC40 on a marketplace site, it might work, but:

• The model is discontinued, so support and stock are limited.
• Warranty coverage may be shorter, limited, or non-existent.
• Returns and replacements can be more complicated if something fails early.

When Brian realized he could accidentally buy a cell and void the warranty the day he installed it, he paused and asked us what to check on his current setup first.

Why Plumbing Direction Matters for the IC40+

Here’s the piece almost nobody thinks about until we mention it: the direction your salt cell is plumbed and the way water flows through it can void your IC40+ warranty.

On the call, Brian went outside to look at his current cell and said, “It looks like it’s installed upside down. The flow arrow is pointing down toward the ground.” That’s when we told him what we tell all our customers:

• The IC40+ must be installed either horizontally or vertically with water flowing upward.
• If the water is flowing downward through a vertical cell, Pentair considers that an improper install.
• An upside-down vertical install can allow water to leak into the electronics and void the warranty.

So even if the old IC40 seemed to “work fine” in that position, the new IC40+ is less forgiving. That’s why we always look at plumbing layout before we sell or install one.

How We Help Homeowners Check Their Current Cell Orientation

When someone calls us from their equipment pad, this is the step-by-step process we walk them through so they can check their own plumbing:

1. Find the clear plastic cell with the cord attached — that’s your IntelliChlor salt cell.
2. Look along the body of the cell for a small arrow and the word “FLOW”.
3. Note which way that arrow points relative to your pump and filter (it should point in the direction the water travels back to the pool).
4. Check which way the arrow points relative to the ground and to your equipment pad:
   • If it’s horizontal (side-to-side), that’s usually fine as long as the arrow matches the water flow.
   • If it’s vertical and the arrow is pointing up, that’s the correct orientation for an IC40+.
   • If it’s vertical and the arrow is pointing down, that’s a red flag for IC40+ warranty coverage.

When Brian told us his arrow was pointing down, we let him know that simply flipping the cell around in the same piece of pipe would not solve the problem with the IC40+.

Why “Just Turning It Around” Usually Isn’t Enough

Another question we hear a lot (Brian asked this too) is, “If I pull the cell out to clean it and reinstall it the other way, doesn’t that fix it?” Unfortunately, for the IC40+, the answer is usually no.

Here’s how we explain it to customers:

• The IC40+ is designed so that water needs to flow in a specific direction and orientation to protect its internal board.
• If the plumbing itself forces the water to flow downward through the cell, simply rotating the cell won’t change the water path.
• To make it “warranty-safe,” you typically need to re-plumb so the water either flows horizontally or up through the cell.

That’s why we offered Brian two realistic options: try to locate a discontinued IC40 that matches his existing plumbing (with limited warranty and availability), or have us re-plumb the equipment so an IC40+ can be installed correctly and fully covered.

Your Options If You Have an Older IC40

When we look at an older IC40 setup with a homeowner, we usually outline the same two paths we outlined for Brian:

Option 1: Track Down a Legacy IC40

• May let you plug in without replumbing if your system is already working well.
• Can be harder to find; stock is limited and sometimes pricey.
• Warranty may be shorter or uncertain, especially from non-authorized sellers.

Option 2: Upgrade to IC40+ and Correct the Plumbing

• Gives you the current model with a strong manufacturer warranty.
• Requires ensuring the water flows horizontally or up through the cell.
• Often involves some cutting and reconfiguring of PVC by a qualified tech.

Most of our customers choose the IC40+ plus a small plumbing rework because it gives them a fresh warranty and a system that’s in line with current Pentair specs.

How We Can Help You Upgrade Safely

If you’re staring at a tired IC40 and wondering what to do next, we’re happy to walk you through the same checks we did with Brian. We can:

• Confirm which IntelliChlor model you have.
• Look at photos of your plumbing to verify flow direction and orientation.
• Recommend whether a legacy IC40 makes sense or if an IC40+ upgrade is smarter.
• Handle the re-plumbing and installation so your warranty stays intact.

Upgrading your salt system doesn’t have to be a guessing game. If you’d like us to take a look at your setup or quote an IC40+ with warranty-safe installation, reach out — we help homeowners through this upgrade every week.