Help on pump prime of Pentair intelliflo variable speed pump

[yangcha1]

Thanks. Your type of union is my plan B after two unsuccessful tries to stop the leaking from the threading to the pump housing. The union I am using is:
Amazon.com : Hayward SP14983S 2-Inch MIP by 2-Inch Socket White PVC Flush Male/Female Socket Union : Pipe Fittings : Patio, Lawn Garden
There is no O-ring to the pump housing.

Very frustrating experience . The pump works perfectly, very quiet and very energy efficient, -- except there is water seeping. I tried teflon tape, teflon tape + pipe dope, pipe dope alone. None of them worked. Always a very very slow water seeps from the connection.


I will buy the following union as yours:
Amazon.com : 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2 Garden
Hopefully it will work.

If possible, could you tell me how much the union costs? Thanks.

Right -- the unions I used have an additional O-ring outside the union against the pump housing, so that threading doesn't have to seal, it just pulls the O-ring tight. I'm sure it's possible to seal threaded fittings with dope or tape on the threads themselves, I just have never done so successfully (the twice I tried on the old pump). I gather that larger threaded fittings are harder to seal that way (vs say a 3/4" metal pipe thread), and these unions eliminate the need to do so.

It might help to post some pictures of your unions and connections at the pump, might give people some more ideas.

 

[yangcha1]

So either you are very lucky or you are very good at plumbing, or both. I am really bad at this plumbing business. On one hand, you don't want the leaking, on the other hand, you don't want to crack the pipes or pump outlets. Very tricky.

View attachment 41565

As I stare at my pipe, I've just realized that I would have to either cut the pipe or spin my pump to disconnect it!!! LOL!

Thinking back when I plumbed this, I understand what I now did.

Thankfully, and because I used that pipe compound I posted earlier, I had no leaks but I think I'll be picking up some unions now for the future just in case.

The output port on the pump does go to a union but that union is part of the filter

 

[Agent99]

I'm pretty comfortable with plumbing although I'm not a pro, I'm pretty handy and consider myself a jack of some trades.

A little luck doesn't hurt but experience is much better if you can get it.

 

[jmastron]

Thanks. Your type of union is my plan B after two unsuccessful tries to stop the leaking from the threading to the pump housing. The union I am using is:
Amazon.com : Hayward SP14983S 2-Inch MIP by 2-Inch Socket White PVC Flush Male/Female Socket Union : Pipe Fittings : Patio, Lawn Garden
There is no O-ring to the pump housing.

Very frustrating experience . The pump works perfectly, very quiet and very energy efficient, -- except there is water seeping. I tried teflon tape, teflon tape + pipe dope, pipe dope alone. None of them worked. Always a very very slow water seeps from the connection.


I will buy the following union as yours:
Amazon.com : 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2 Garden
Hopefully it will work.

If possible, could you tell me how much the union costs? Thanks.

I don't remember the price, but I think it was $30 or so for both (I wanted them that day); that Amazon price seems pretty good, and those are exactly what I got.

Completely understand the frustration with leaks. I left the old pump output leaking from the threads for the better part of a year because it didn't have a union and I knew I was replacing the whole thing anyway. As soon as I started up the new pump after having redone all the plumbing (because I needed to move the pump so the controls would be accessible), I felt water spraying on me! Sinking feeling that I'd messed up a joint, but it was a pinhole leak in the Polaris booster hose, and I had to rush out to get a new one. Then, 2 days later, there's water all over the pad again -- this time from a water supply line that I hadn't changed but must have jostled an already weak joint. So it was back to the store and more PVC gluing for me. It's nice finally having a dry equipment pad...for now.

 

[yangcha1]

Just want to give an update. I replaced the threaded union with the union with o-ring such as:

Amazon.com : 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2 Garden

Now there is no leaks now.

Thank all of you for helps.

I don't remember the price, but I think it was $30 or so for both (I wanted them that day); that Amazon price seems pretty good, and those are exactly what I got.

Completely understand the frustration with leaks. I left the old pump output leaking from the threads for the better part of a year because it didn't have a union and I knew I was replacing the whole thing anyway. As soon as I started up the new pump after having redone all the plumbing (because I needed to move the pump so the controls would be accessible), I felt water spraying on me! Sinking feeling that I'd messed up a joint, but it was a pinhole leak in the Polaris booster hose, and I had to rush out to get a new one. Then, 2 days later, there's water all over the pad again -- this time from a water supply line that I hadn't changed but must have jostled an already weak joint. So it was back to the store and more PVC gluing for me. It's nice finally having a dry equipment pad...for now.

 

[chiefwej]

The nice thing about the Pentair fittings is you don't need any pipe dope or tape. I have the same ones. They have been designed specific for this application and fit perfectly. They do cost a couple bucks more, but are worth it.

 

[Agent99]

I dunno...I'd never put together any threaded plumbing without pipe compound but that is me.

 

[chiefwej]

I dunno...I'd never put together any threaded plumbing without pipe compound but that is me.

If you would put pipe compound on a coupling that was sealed with an O-ring, well then I guess so. Because, these work just like that. The threads don't seal it, they just pull the O-ring tight against the pump body to make the seal

 

[Divin Dave]

I agree,
the pentair unions are worth it IMO.

The nice thing about the Pentair fittings is you don't need any pipe dope or tape. I have the same ones. They have been designed specific for this application and fit perfectly. They do cost a couple bucks more, but are worth it.

 

[jmastron]

Just want to give an update. I replaced the threaded union with the union with o-ring such as:

Amazon.com : 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2 Garden

Now there is no leaks now.

Thank all of you for helps.

Thanks for the update; I'm glad it worked. There's nothing like the satisfaction of admiring a totally dry equipment pad (until the next thing springs a leak...)

 

[Agent99]

If you would put pipe compound on a coupling that was sealed with an O-ring, well then I guess so. Because, these work just like that. The threads don't seal it, they just pull the O-ring tight against the pump body to make the seal

I took a closer look at the Pentair union you posted and I understand better now about this unique union. Most unions only have 1 o-ring...this one has two, correct? The one you mention where it seals against the pump body plus a second one in the two mating halves, right? I'd probably STILL want to put some pipe compound on the threads (just to be sure) in the pump body but I agree that the o-ring seals it just fine without the mess.

2" unions go for around $6-10 a shot so these are about double that but do look nice and likely worth it. These pool companies and their proprietary stuff can be painful (big margins for them, I'm sure). I found that out years ago when I needed to redo some plumbing and the standard 2" unions I bought for my Sta-rite filter did not fit!! :grrrr:

 

[Agent99]

PRAHER 2IN MIPxSKT UNION WITH PR200903


I found this Praher part...ought to work fine at about half the cost of the Pentair parts. I actually only need one since the output of my IntelliFlo goes to my filter and that has its own (proprietary) union.

 

[jmastron]

PRAHER 2IN MIPxSKT UNION WITH PR200903


I found this Praher part...ought to work fine at about half the cost of the Pentair parts. I actually only need one since the output of my IntelliFlo goes to my filter and that has its own (proprietary) union.

Note that the CMP ones from Amazon that OP linked to are $21 for a set of 2 with free shipping; these appear to be $8.50 each; for 2 with shipping it comes to $25, so a bit more expensive.

I took a closer look at the Pentair union you posted and I understand better now about this unique union. Most unions only have 1 o-ring...this one has two, correct? The one you mention where it seals against the pump body plus a second one in the two mating halves, right? I'd probably STILL want to put some pipe compound on the threads (just to be sure) in the pump body but I agree that the o-ring seals it just fine without the mess.

2" unions go for around $6-10 a shot so these are about double that but do look nice and likely worth it. These pool companies and their proprietary stuff can be painful (big margins for them, I'm sure). I found that out years ago when I needed to redo some plumbing and the standard 2" unions I bought for my Sta-rite filter did not fit!! :grrrr:

See above; $21 for a set of 2 to your door isn't that much more.

My guess is that the different plastics, movement, etc, make it harder to get a good seal with just the threads at a pump, unlike putting 2 standard PVC threaded fittings together. All I know is that 100% of the taped pump joints I've made have leaked (1 out of 1 ), and 100% of the O-ring unions have been dry (2 out of 2).

 

[Agent99]

Yeah, I missed the [OP]'s link to the CMP ones...a bit cheaper than Pentair's part. However, I only need one of these unions but I supposed having an extra laying around isn't so bad. Actually, I don't need ANY of the unions as I plumbed my IntelliFlo without 'em (scroll up to see a pic of my plumbing job) but realized that I have no easy way to remove the pump from the plumbing should I need to! DOH! Boneheaded move on my part. I wish I had bothered to think about using a union at the time but alas, I did not. But, no leaks so I'm good until I need to remove the pump.

About 5 years ago, I stopped using teflon tape on plumbing threaded joints and now use a good joint compound and it hasn't let me down since.

 

[chiefwej]

They provide the fittings as a pair because you need one for the suction side and one for discharge. What's the point of only having a coupling on one side? You still wouldn't be able to remove and replace the pump without cutting.

 

[Agent99]

As I stated earlier, there is a union on my filter which connects to the output of the pump so no need to have two unions on one line, eh?

 

[albert436]

Question -- Why is the Intelliflo union referred to as Hi-Temp ?

And by the way, this is a great educational thread for me, thanks everyone.

:study:

 

[Agent99]

It is made of CPVC. CPVC is designed specifically for hot water like in one's home. This doesn't mean PVC can't handle it but CPVC is better. Go to any home center like Lowe's or HD and you'll see it. It is a bit of an off-whitish color typically compared to PVC.

 

[yangcha1]

Personally I think the Praher part is better than the ones from Amazon. It looks more durable and nicer and Praher is a well known brand.

Note that the CMP ones from Amazon that OP linked to are $21 for a set of 2 with free shipping; these appear to be $8.50 each; for 2 with shipping it comes to $25, so a bit more expensive.



See above; $21 for a set of 2 to your door isn't that much more.

My guess is that the different plastics, movement, etc, make it harder to get a good seal with just the threads at a pump, unlike putting 2 standard PVC threaded fittings together. All I know is that 100% of the taped pump joints I've made have leaked (1 out of 1 ), and 100% of the O-ring unions have been dry (2 out of 2).

 

[yangcha1]

I don't think pipe dope is necessary for this kind of union. It may mess up with the o-ring. Remember to lubricate the o-ring thoroughly before installation.

I took a closer look at the Pentair union you posted and I understand better now about this unique union. Most unions only have 1 o-ring...this one has two, correct? The one you mention where it seals against the pump body plus a second one in the two mating halves, right? I'd probably STILL want to put some pipe compound on the threads (just to be sure) in the pump body but I agree that the o-ring seals it just fine without the mess.

2" unions go for around $6-10 a shot so these are about double that but do look nice and likely worth it. These pool companies and their proprietary stuff can be painful (big margins for them, I'm sure). I found that out years ago when I needed to redo some plumbing and the standard 2" unions I bought for my Sta-rite filter did not fit!! :grrrr: