Zodiac/Barracuda MX8 flow question

[zhenya]

I have a Barracuda MX8 vacuum that I've been fighting with. It's just hasn't been consistent. In my trial and error testing I found that my pump needs to be running at 2900RPM to make this thing run. There is a test of how long it takes for wheels to turn 10 times. Does this sound right? I bought this vacuum because it claims to be running at a very low suction. For this test I had 100% going to the vacuum line with skimmer completely shut off.

thanks.

 

[jblizzle]

That certainly does sound like it should be a LOT more suction than it should need. I am wondering if there is something askew inside the cleaner that is preventing it from operating correctly?

I think the Pool Cleaner is the suction cleaner that needs the least amount of suction ... not that this info helps you now

 

[zhenya]

I inspected the vacuum pretty closely and I don't see anything inside. The thing will not move at all at below 2250 rpm and it doesn't get up to the proper speed until 2900.

 

[jblizzle]

What size pipes do you have? What is your filter pressure at 2900 rpm?

 

[zhenya]

I will get back to you on pipe size questions later. I am pretty sure they are 2". As for filter pressure - it's at around 20. I just did a backwash two days ago.

 

[jblizzle]

Not to ask a silly question ... but ... you did add DE back in after the backwash right? Ideally around 80% of the typical full amount unless you fully break down the filter.

 

[zhenya]

Yes, the DE is back in line
Pipes are 2" as I thought. Any other thoughts?

 

[jblizzle]

I would still have to guess that something is not in good shape internally in the cleaner ... but I have no experience with it.

 

[lindsgd]

We have the same cleaner and at 2750 and the majority of the suction going to the cleaner it barely moves. We had a big dust storm last week and our pool became a mud pit. I changed the rpm to 2900 and had all the suction to the cleaner and it moves really well. Cleaned up the bottom of the pool in about three nights running it 9 hours per night.

 

[malcolmb5325]

the MX8 is a slow moving cleaner and only requires approx 100 lpm ( about 26 gpm i think for you guys) to operate. we have what is called a pool pulse down under which you place in the end of the last hose and while the pump is operating you should adjust the flow to obtain a reading between 2.5 - 3. i am pretty sure that Zodiac offer it over there but not sure what the name is, i think "flow gauge".

 

[dansdad]

Ok how do you get this thing to run at 2.5 on the flow gauge?

 

[malcolmb5325]

do you have the flow valve in the skimmer box you can adjust? otherwise you can obtain the new flow regulator which clips onto the cleaner before the hose, check out the zodiac pool systems web site for pictures.