A Little Life Saver for Aussie Pools
Keep pool care refreshingly simple with the Davey ChloroMatic Nipper, a compact salt and mineral chlorinator designed to keep your water clean, balanced, and swim-ready all year round.
Built for everyday Australian pools, Nipper delivers steady, reliable chlorination with intuitive digital control, battery-backed scheduling and smart safety protection. Once set, it runs seamlessly in the background, adjusting to the seasons and supporting consistent water quality through summer heat, cooler months, and everything in between.
Its reverse polarity cell helps reduce scale build-up over time. Thoughtful operating modes make it easy to match chlorine output to real pool use, whether you're hosting a busy weekend, covering the pool, or easing into winter.
Why Choose the Davey ChloroMatic Nipper?
Mineral Salt Compatible
Designed to operate with both standard salt and mineral salt pools, giving you flexibility in how you balance and treat your water without changing equipment.
Australian Design
Engineered in Australia for Australian pool conditions — built to handle summer heat, seasonal changes, and everyday residential use with dependable performance.
Energy Efficient Operation
Switchmode power supply and intelligent operating modes help reduce unnecessary output, supporting efficient chlorine production across summer, winter, spa, and cover settings.
Versatile Pool Coverage
Available in multiple output sizes to suit a wide range of residential pools, making it a practical choice whether you're upgrading or installing new.
Reliable Salt Water Sanitiser
Digital alarms for add salt, low salt, and no flow conditions help protect both water quality and equipment, giving you clear feedback and added peace of mind.
Design & Functions Highlights
- UV-stabilised enclosure built for outdoor durability in Australian conditions
- Fully digital display for clear, intuitive control and easy menu navigation
- Sleek, modern enclosure design that keeps the equipment pad looking neat and refined
- High-performance output across the Nipper range with 15 g/hr, 25 g/hr, and 35 g/hr models available
- One plug cell power supply for a simple, fast installation and straightforward servicing
- Switchmode power supply for improved energy efficiency during operation
- Integrated flow switch to help protect the cell by stopping chlorination when water flow is insufficient
- Concealed pump power outlet to neatly power the pool pump from the controller
- Automatic pool cover sensor connection to activate Cover Mode
- Concealed main power supply for safe operation
Key Features
- 35 g/hr chlorine output sized for pools up to 140,000 L in cool climates (see Sizing Guide)
- Operating salt range 3000–6000 ppm with a recommended level of approximately 4,500 ppm
- Adjustable chlorine output in 5% increments for precise control
- Dual independent timers for flexible daily scheduling
- Boost Mode – 100% output for 24 hours to support recovery after heavy use
- Winter Mode – reduces chlorine production in cooler water conditions
- Cover Mode – lowers output to help protect pool covers from over-chlorination
- Spa Mode – reduced output for lower water volumes
- Reverse polarity in-line electrolytic cell to help minimise calcium scale build-up
- Integrated safety flow switch with automatic low-flow cut-off protection
- Failsafe digital alarms for Add Salt, Low Salt and No Flow conditions, helping safeguard both water balance and equipment performance
- Switchmode power supply for improved energy efficiency during operation
- Battery backup to retain time and program settings during power interruptions
- 3-Year manufacturer warranty for added peace of mind
Trusted Australian Performance — Depend on Davey
Engineered in Australia for real-world pool ownership, the Davey ChloroMatic Nipper delivers dependable, intelligent chlorination built to handle summer heat, seasonal changes, and everyday residential use.
Enjoy steady, confident water care with compact control that fits neatly into everyday pool life.
Sizing Your Chlorinator
Note: Chlorinator sizing is a guide only. Recommended pool capacities are based on an average run time of approximately 8 hours per day in typical residential conditions. Actual requirements may vary depending on climate, water temperature, bather load, pool chemistry balance, and environmental factors such as dust or debris.
Technical Specifications
| Model |
DNP25C |
DNP35C |
| Chlorine Output (g/hr at 100%) |
25 |
35 |
| Calcium Hypochlorite Equivalent (65%) (g/hr) |
38 |
53 |
| Chlorine Produced in 8 Hours (grams at 100%) |
200 |
280 |
| Input Voltage (VAC) |
220–240 |
| Phase |
1 |
| Supply Frequency (Hz) |
50/60 |
| Enclosure Class (IP) |
34 |
| Max. Load of Pump GPO (amps) |
9 |
| Max. Power (kW) |
0.24 |
| Salt Level (ppm) |
3000–6000
(4500 ppm recommended) |
Easy Installation & Maintenance
- Simple Installation: The in-line electrolytic cell installs on the return line after the filter, heater or solar system. Horizontal mounting is recommended, and the cell is compatible with standard 40 mm and 50 mm PVC plumbing. The compact controller features concealed power entry and a built-in pump outlet for a tidy, organised equipment pad.
- Low Maintenance Operation: The reverse polarity cell automatically alternates current direction to help minimise calcium build-up on the plates, reducing the need for frequent manual cleaning. In areas with high calcium hardness, periodic inspection and occasional manual cleaning may still be required to maintain optimal performance.
- Water Chemistry Matters: For best performance and cell longevity, maintain balanced water chemistry and keep salt levels within the recommended range. Proper water balance helps protect both the cell and pool surfaces.
| Parameter |
Ideal Reading / Range |
How to Increase |
How to Decrease |
Testing Frequency |
| Free Chlorine (ppm) |
1.5–3 |
Increase sanitiser output, add chlorine, and/or increase filtration time |
Decrease sanitiser output and/or reduce filtration time |
Weekly |
| pH |
Concrete & tiled pools: 7.4–7.6
Other surfaces: 7.2–7.4 |
Add Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) |
Add Hydrochloric Acid |
Weekly |
| Total Alkalinity (ppm) |
80–150 |
Add Buffer (Sodium Bicarbonate) |
Add Hydrochloric Acid or Dry Acid |
Weekly |
| Calcium Hardness (ppm) |
Concrete & tiled pools: 200–275
Other surfaces: 100–225 |
Add Calcium Chloride |
Partially drain & refill with lower hardness water to dilute |
Weekly |
| Stabiliser (Cyanuric Acid) (ppm) |
25–50
(15–25 if used with an ORP controller; not required for indoor pools) |
Add Cyanuric Acid |
Partially drain & refill pool to dilute |
Regularly |
Important: Add salt to the shallow end and allow it to fully dissolve—never add salt directly to the skimmer.
- Seasonal Adjustments Made Easy: Use Winter Mode, Cover Mode or Spa Mode to automatically adjust chlorine production based on water temperature and pool use. Boost Mode provides temporary maximum output when additional sanitisation is required.
In The Box
- 1 x Power supply with cell lead
- 1 x Chlorinator cell and housing
- 1 x Cell housing blanking cap and O-ring
- 2 x Barrel unions (40mm & 50mm tails) with O-rings
- 1 x Quick reference guide
- 1 x Power lead
- 1 x Flow switch
- 1 x Wall mounting hardware kit
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I run the Davey ChloroMatic Nipper each day?
Typical residential running times are 6–8 hours per day during summer and around 4 hours per day during winter. Actual run time depends on climate, bather load, and water balance.
Lower output settings and shorter run times during cooler months can help extend cell life while maintaining healthy sanitiser levels.
What salt level should I maintain?
Maintain salt within the operating range of 3000–6000 ppm, with around 4500 ppm used as a typical target level. Keeping salt in range supports consistent chlorine production and helps protect cell life.
Tip: Salt is mainly lost through backwashing, splash-out, overflow, leaks, and heavy rain dilution, so it’s worth checking levels after these events.
Can I add salt directly into the skimmer box?
No. Adding salt into the skimmer can send highly concentrated salt through your filtration system and other equipment. Add salt to the pool water (typically the shallow end) and allow it to dissolve fully before operating the chlorinator.
What does the Low Flow alarm mean?
The Nipper uses an integrated safety flow switch. If flow falls below the minimum required level (approximately 80 L/min), the system enters LOW FLOW ALARM and will stop producing chlorine until adequate flow is restored.
Check the pump is running, valves are open, the filter isn’t blocked, and the flow switch is installed in the correct direction. Once the issue is corrected, press the Menu/Select button to cancel the alarm.
Why does the unit show "Add Salt" even when salt seems okay?
The ADD SALT alarm can be triggered by low salt concentration, but it may also appear when pool water is cold (below approximately 15°C) because conductivity drops in cold water. If salt is within range and water temperature is above 15°C, the cell may require inspection/cleaning.
What is Boost Mode used for?
Boost Mode is used when the pool needs a temporary increase in sanitiser output—such as after heavy use, storms, debris load, or very hot weather. When enabled, BOOST MODE runs the system at 100% output for 24 hours.
Alternatively, you can shock the pool with liquid or granulated chlorine. If using granulated chlorine, inspect the cell regularly, as additives can contribute to electrode build-up.
What do Cover Mode and Spa Mode actually do?
COVER MODE reduces the cell set-point to 20% of your current output setting to help avoid over-chlorination while the pool is covered.
SPA MODE also reduces the cell set-point to 20% of your current output setting, which can be useful for smaller water volumes where full output isn’t required.
Note: Because these modes apply a percentage to your chosen output, your base chlorine setting still matters (e.g., 80% set output → Cover/Spa runs at 16%).
Does the self-cleaning (reverse polarity) cell eliminate manual cleaning?
Reverse polarity helps reduce calcium scale build-up by alternating current direction, but it doesn’t remove the need for periodic inspection. Scale can still form depending on water hardness, pH, temperature, and overall balance.
In hard water conditions (calcium hardness above approximately 275 ppm), plan on monthly cell inspections and manual cleaning as needed to maintain performance.
For new installations, it’s worth checking the cell more frequently at first to understand how quickly scale forms in your pool.
Does the Nipper have a Backwash Mode?
Yes. Backwash Mode temporarily prevents chlorine production for 5 minutes (countdown from 300 seconds) to support filter backwashing. During this period, no alarms are active and the flow switch is disabled.
What if the display is blank?
A blank display is typically caused by no power to the controller or a blown fuse. Confirm power is available at the outlet/controller. If power is present and the display remains blank, contact a qualified technician.
What should I check if chlorine production seems low?
Low chlorine production can be caused by several factors. Key checks include:
- Chlorinator output and timer settings (ensure output is not set to 0% or Manual Off)
- Salt level within the recommended range
- Water temperature (output may reduce below ~15°C)
- Flow rate and filter condition (clean baskets/backwash if needed)
- Cell condition (inspect for calcium build-up and clean if required)
- Water balance (pH, alkalinity, stabiliser)
- Mode settings (Winter/Cover/Spa may be active and reducing output)
If everything appears correct and output remains low, the cell may be approaching end of life and may require assessment by a technician.
Why does the clock fail to keep time when the power is off?
If the clock does not retain time when main power is off, the internal backup battery may be depleted or the unit may require a firmware update. Inspection and servicing should be carried out by a suitably qualified technician.
