Hi, all–
I’ve been having a problem recently with my pump, I think. What happened
early this season was that the filter would drop to 0 psi while it was on.
This would happen for about 10 seconds, then it would start up again, get up
to about 12 - 15 psi (normal). I backwashed the DE filter and after a little
rough patch (during one day), everything seemed fine.
Sp– today I broke the valve to the automatic chlorinator (don’t ask), so I
shut off the filter (and timer) and went off to search for a new valve. When
I came back home (about 4 hours after I’d turned everything off) with a
replacament valve and put the chlorinator back to work, the filter kept
dropping down to 0 psi. I backwashed the filter, then added DE and waited,
but I didn’t get the sense, after about 10 minutes, that I ought to keep
trying. The filter gauge would climb to about 14 psi, hang there for about
5-8 seconds, then drop down to 0 for about 10 seconds, and start all over
again. I didn’t hear a change in the pump, so I wonder if it’s a clog in the
filter line? If so, what do I do? Right now, I’ve turned off the filter,
because I didn’t think it was a good idea for either the fuse, the filter,
or the pump. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Tasia
Help with Pump or Filter?
December 8th, 2003 · 3 Comments
Tags: heaters
3 responses so far ↓
1 janis_40 // Dec 9, 2003 at 4:22 pm
The problem with the pressure is not the filter it is the pump. If the
output of the filter were clogged the pressure would go very high but that is
not happening. Run the system and when the pressure drops to zero check the
water flow at the pool and I think you will find it is almost nothing and
when the pressure goes back to normal you will find normal water flow. This
can only be the pump or something related.
Does your pump have a plastic lid that you can see thru? If so does the
strainer basket stay full of water and when I say full it should be all the
way to the top with only a few bubbles under the lid. If the strainer
constantly empties and refills the pump has lost it’s prime and the cause
needs to be fixed. Causes can be the oring for the lid maybe needs to be
replaced. The impeller is clogged with leaves or other stuff and needs to be
cleaned. Do you have an automatic pool cleaner? If so the hose could have a
leak. In other words something is letting air into the suction side of the
pump or the interior of the pump is clogged.
First thing check water flow when pressure at zero.
Is strainer basket full all the time?
If not try replacing the lid oring and go from there.
2 hunter_10 // Dec 11, 2003 at 11:57 pm
Thanks to electricjet for his (her?) advice. The pump wasn’t primed; I
started again, lubricated the o-ring and refilled the basket– voila! Didn’t
even need a new o-ring. The gauge climbed to 14 psi. . . and stayed there.
Thanks for your help.
Tasia
3 janis_40 // Dec 12, 2003 at 10:16 pm
Him! What part of the country are you in?
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