Low Pressure Hayward Tristar VS pump

[hezzer78]

Hello!
I’m reading a bunch on the pool school section of this site, but need some clarification on a few points.

I have a hayward SWG pool with a tristar vs pump. The pressure reading on the gauge is very low - like maybe 1 or 2 psi.
I turned it off, released the pressure valve, then opened the pump strainer and cleaned out the strainer basket. I made sure the was some water in the strainer then replaced the basket snd started the pump up again. Once water started to shoot out of my pressure valve on my filter I closed it. My pressure goes up to 10 or 12 when it primes, but drops back down to 1 or 2 when it stops priming. Also, my pump strainer doesn’t have any water in it anymore.
Everything I’ve read says that’s bad, but I can’t find how much water is needed exactly. I can only seem to fill my strainer up 1/3 of the way as there’s a pipe at that point and the water just drains out.
What am I missing here? Should my pump be off until I can fix it and get water in it?

Do I need a tech to come out and look at it? Pool newbie here so any help is welcome.

thanks!

 

[ajw22]

What RPM are you running the VS pump?

Pressure is proportional to flow and pump speed. When running at low RPMs the PSI gauge can read very low.

 

[hezzer78]

What RPM are you running the VS pump?

Pressure is proportional to flow and pump speed. When running at low RPMs the PSI gauge can read very low.

Its at 1750rpm right now.

and I realized my pump does have water in it - in the dark it looked empty.

 

[ajw22]

Good or bad pressure depends on the equipment you have and how it is connected. Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

Post pics of your equipment and valves.

What you describe can be normal for your setup.

 

[hezzer78]

Good or bad pressure depends on the equipment you have and how it is connected. Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

Post pics of your equipment and valves.

What you describe can be normal for your setup.

Thank you! Signature done.
I will post photos tomorrow in the daylight.

 

[Jimrahbe]

78,

Filter pressure is not a reading of how well your pump is working, it is really the amount of effort it is taking to push water through the filter.. A VS pump at low RPMs coupled with a clean filter. will have low pressure.. My pressure is always about 1 or 2 lbs..

The key is to quit looking at the gauge and go stick your hand in front of a pool return (eyeball).. Do you have good flow or not?? Does your SWCG have enough flow to turn it on??

If yes, then I doubt you have any problem at all.

If no, then let us know and we will try to help..

Thanks,

Jim R

 

[hezzer78]

Thank you for your tips Jim!

the return flow is good - I guess? I can feel it and see the water moving, so I’m assuming that’s a good thing.
Here are some pics of my system. The pressure was reading 4 or 5 psi when I rant it at 2250rpm.