Any potential problem using two pumps?

[bensmail]

Over the next few days I plan to set up a second pump for a solar panel. I want to T off before the sand filter and use a small cartridge filter pump to push water through the solar panels and then enter back in a second T after the sand filter.

Is ther any problem with potential water pressure on the return side of the sand filter?

 

[duraleigh]

I may very well be wrong but I am not sure that will help. Pool pumps are constant speed pumps and if they are being force-fed like you are discussing, I'm not sure it will do any additional work.

 

[bensmail]

The pumps are not in-line, just using the same intake and return lines.

 

[Davsmth41]

You may end up robbing water from your main pump causing it to cavitate or get air bound. May need some valves to meter water to both better. May not work at all. I'm curious to know though

 

[mas985]

Why would you want to do that? Unless the main pump is a very small AG pump, it should handle the solar panel just fine by itself at much less energy use. Using two pumps would just waste energy without much benefit.

 

[bensmail]

I found it virtually impossible to get the pump running through the solar panel when the sun was out and not when cloudy... unless I was home to micro-manage it.

I want one pump on a temperature switch pumping through the solar panel and the sand filter pump running 4 hours a day regardless of sun.

 

[JasonLion]

The simplest thing to do is to get a solar controller with an automated diverter valve that redirects the water towards the panels when they are warmer than the pool.

 

[bensmail]

But then the pump would need to be on all day every day just in case the sun is out. I'm in Maine and the weather is unpredictable at 7am when I leave for work.

 

[JasonLion]

The controller can turn on the pump, as well as switch the valve, if that is required.