Pump starved while vacuuming - AGP

[PieterS]

I modified my Intex pool with two 1.5" inlets to the pump. I don't have a skimmer - so when suction vacuuming the pool, I hook the vacuum up to one of those inlets, and attempt to close the other. When I do so, however, the pump gets starved and ultimately loses pressure. I have to crack open the other inlet to prevent this from happening - but then lose some suction on the vacuum so the cleaning is less effective.

Is this normal, or shoudl I be able to vacuum soley via one inlet and fully close the other?

Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

It's possible your pump is pulling water so strong that the original Intex flex hose (suction line) is collapsing and closing shut on itself. Have you noticed anything like that happening?

 

[PieterS]

No I have not. I have it mostly hard-plumbed with 1.5" PVC. There's just a small strecth of flex hose to the pump, I haven't noticed it collapsing but will take a good look.

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• PieterS
• Jun 22, 2021

 

[PieterS]

I'm suspicious the long 1.25" vacuum hose might be too restrictive. I did upgrade the pump last year to a more powerful pump/filter, I don't believe I had this issue prior to that? I'll try closing one inlet during normal pump operation and see what that does (eliminates the long vacuum hose question).

I don't believe I have a suction side leak, during normal filter operation the pump basket stays nicely filled with water and no bubbles.

 

[mas985]

I don't believe I have a suction side leak, during normal filter operation the pump basket stays nicely filled with water and no bubbles.

Just because you don't have a leak when both suction ports are open, doesn't mean you won't have a leak with one port closed and the other on the cleaner. The pressure drops in the pump basket making it more likely to have a leak. The fact that the pump becomes "starved" and you lose pressure means that there is an air leak.

 

[PieterS]

Well, closing each inlet while in filter mode works just fine - no sucking of air or starving the pump. The vacuum hose I do have is the crappy Intex-supplied hose with several sections - I wouldn't be surprised if some air is sucked in while bobbing on top of the pool. I've been wanting to get rid of that vacuum anyhow, I'll get a true 1.5" one-piece hose and report back!

 

[PieterS]

Got a new 1.5" one-piece hose and vacuum head - worked much better! Not sure the pump was 'starved' per se with the old setup, but new setup is definitely better.