Hi - I switched from a barracuda to a navigator because I find the navigator better at picking up the eucalyptus leaves. I have seen better suction pressure when I backwash the pump and I have checked for the common problems with suction. I do have a rather old 1.5 HP pump.
The question I had is that I have 3 valves on my outflow line and they are the for the skimmer, the cleaner and then for the other end of the pool that has a trap basket but the inlet and outlet are both under the water line (I assume that is for circulation).
What I do to increase power to the navigator is close the valve to the line running to the other end and partially close the skimmer. If I fully close the skimmer the pump works harder and starts sucking in air.
Do you think getting a 2.0 HP pump would fix the problem? I am not sure because if I cannot close the skimmer valve without it sucking in air, I am not sure if motte HP's will help. I am not also sure what causes the air to be sucked in other than the pump is working harder than the skimmer return can provide. My suction line is left wide open.
Ideallly I would like to have a system where I do not need to partially or fully close all valves to operate the suction cleaner. When I have them all open the navigator barely moves but with the closed and partially closed positions on the other valves, I get slow movement. It does not climb walls or go as fast as it did on the pool I had prior to moving to this home. Any suggestions on improving performance for the navigator?
The question I had is that I have 3 valves on my outflow line and they are the for the skimmer, the cleaner and then for the other end of the pool that has a trap basket but the inlet and outlet are both under the water line (I assume that is for circulation).
What I do to increase power to the navigator is close the valve to the line running to the other end and partially close the skimmer. If I fully close the skimmer the pump works harder and starts sucking in air.
Do you think getting a 2.0 HP pump would fix the problem? I am not sure because if I cannot close the skimmer valve without it sucking in air, I am not sure if motte HP's will help. I am not also sure what causes the air to be sucked in other than the pump is working harder than the skimmer return can provide. My suction line is left wide open.
Ideallly I would like to have a system where I do not need to partially or fully close all valves to operate the suction cleaner. When I have them all open the navigator barely moves but with the closed and partially closed positions on the other valves, I get slow movement. It does not climb walls or go as fast as it did on the pool I had prior to moving to this home. Any suggestions on improving performance for the navigator?