Tristar VSP plumbing question

[MrSlippery]

Just had a new pool installed and had a question hoping someone more knowledgeable than me can help with. I have a Hayward Tristar VSP pump which is priming no problem however seems to have some air in the basket, I contacted my pool builder and he said this is completely normal. I then contacted Hayward and they suggested that a small amount of air in the basket is not uncommon on these pumps however when I sent them the picture of my plumbing set up they reversed that comment saying "the reason is quite obvious from the photo. You have 2 90 degree turns just before the pump. This will cause a restriction in the flow of water going through the pump. That is the reason for your low water in the basket"
I have attached a picture of the suction side, as you can see this is not the "ideal" way of plumbing this but what I am more concerned with is does it truly matter? Initially my thought was I should ask the pool builder to change the pipe coming out of the pump on the suction side to at least 5 inches of straight pipe before the 90 (ideally would rather see a sweep elbow there). Then get rid of the crappy ball valve and install a Jandy further up the line.

Am i just being picky here? Any legitimate concerns?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Slippery,

A few air bubbles in the basket is normal at low RPMs but you should not have air in the basket at 2K or above... I am sure the two 90's before the pump do not help, but I doubt they are the only issue.

Show as three pics... one at about 1200 RPM, one at 2000 RPM and one at 3000 RPM... If possible, take the shot looking down on the pump lid.

In my mind, as long as the bubbles don't increase over time, and you don't see bubbles coming out of your returns, then I really don't see a real problem.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[MrSlippery]

Slippery,

A few air bubbles in the basket is normal at low RPMs but you should not have air in the basket at 2K or above... I am sure the two 90's before the pump do not help, but I doubt they are the only issue.

Show as three pics... one at about 1200 RPM, one at 2000 RPM and one at 3000 RPM... If possible, take the shot looking down on the pump lid.

In my mind, as long as the bubbles don't increase over time, and you don't see bubbles coming out of your returns, then I really don't see a real problem.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Appreciate the insight, and I will take a few additional pictures tonight at those RPM. The pump has been running almost 2 weeks now and it does not seem to be getting lower over time and I am not losing prime. Even at high speed I have an air gap.

I tend to agree this is likely not a major problem, I have also seen a few other posts with similar situations with this VSP.

 

[dmcconnell68]

Hi,

I also have a Hayward Tristar VSP and have no air in the basket once the pump is primed. From the manual, minimum recommended is to have 5 times the diameter of your PVC pipe between the elbow and the pump. So if you are using 2" PVC, there should be 10" straight pipe between the pump and elbow. I have never seen flex-PVC used at the equipment pad like that either.

 

[MrSlippery]

The lines are 1.5 inches, not certain why they ran the flex lines up like that but all in all it seems to be functional. So realistically I should have 7.5 inches of straight pipe on the suction side?
I was thinking of simply asking them to turn the pump around as that might eliminate both 90s.
Alternatively could have them run the 7.5 inches straight then into 2 sweep elbows as well I just bought a Jandy neverlube to replace the ball valve

 

[MrSlippery]

Slippery,

A few air bubbles in the basket is normal at low RPMs but you should not have air in the basket at 2K or above... I am sure the two 90's before the pump do not help, but I doubt they are the only issue.

Show as three pics... one at about 1200 RPM, one at 2000 RPM and one at 3000 RPM... If possible, take the shot looking down on the pump lid.

In my mind, as long as the bubbles don't increase over time, and you don't see bubbles coming out of your returns, then I really don't see a real problem.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Attached different rpm, hopefully posts okay from my phone.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Slippery,

I would ask the pump installer what he thinks.. I would suggest adding more straight pipe in front of the pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[MrSlippery]

Slippery,

I would ask the pump installer what he thinks.. I would suggest adding more straight pipe in front of the pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.

He suggested it was normal, Hayward also said the same until they saw the 90 out of the pump.
Next week I'll be ordering the Jandy valve and at minimum I've asked the installer to put a straight section along with the new valve in place.

I'll report back ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sounds like a good plan to me..

Jim R.