So I got a few boxes in the last few days. Maxflo VS, Jandy 3-way valve, Phoenix pool cleaner (Hayward's version of "ThePoolCleaner" vacuum) and a new brush.
So now for the installation. I've posted a pic earlier of my pad. I'd really like some opinions on how to redo it or I'd I need to. It seems thrown top getter to me, but you all are the experts. If it can be improved, let me know how. Some things I've noticed are that out of the ground all the way to the pump is 1.5". Out of the pump to the filter, to the heater and to the return, is all 2". Should everything be 2", including from a the ground to the pump?
I'D GO 2" AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE EVERYWHERE.
Next, unions. Are unions a no-no? The old pump is glued. Unions come with the new one. Also, the 1.5" coming out of the ground doesn't have much room before it hits a coupler which doesn't leave much room for future repairs, etc. would unions work at that point to make install and removal of pipe easier in the future? At some point I'll be digging up concrete. Or I put another coupler and add a descent amount of pipe for future cuts, etc.
USE THE UNIONS.
Lengths of straight pipe. Is there rule if thumb for lengths coming out of or going to each piece of equipment? I know the new pump requires a minimum of 10".
SOME MANUALS ASK FOR 10X THE DIAMETER OF THE PIPE TO BE STRAIGHT PIPE INTO THE PUMP. I HAVE NO PROOF OTHER THAN MY OWN SETUP BUT MY INTELLIFLO PRIMES IN UNDER 10 SECONDS AND I FOLLOWED THAT RECOMMENDATION. A TECH AT PENTAIR EVEN SUGGESTED I GO LARGER (2.5" PIPE) CLAIMING I WOULD PRIME FASTER THUS MAKE THE PUMP LAST LONGER AND RUN QUIETER. I DUNNO...I WENT 12" OF 2.5" PIPE.
The backwash valve is also glued. So I assume I'd need to replace it? Is the valve shown the one still used by most? I know there is a different style shown in the manual that is available.
The pipe that the backwash comes out of, it's just an open pipe that drains down the sidewalk and gets DE everywhere. Is this the norm?
Oh and mounting the new pump. Right now the old one is bolted to a cut piece of plywood sitting on the concrete. How is the pump normally mounted?
MINE JUST SITS ON THE PAD 'HELD' IN PLACE WITH THE PLUMBING.
I know it's a few questions and honestly if it all looks fine and can't be improved, that's fine too. I'm up for rearranging anything to clean it up a little.
Hopefully I don't have the issues the other post had with the Maxflo...I don't. Have solar so hopefully I don't have those flow issues.
Also....main drain doesn't do anything...not sure if that's related to this plumbing or something else. I had a response before but don't remember. I think I remember it not being a big deal if it's not functioning and kind of normal?