Adding a dedicated waterfall pump

BobTinTX

New member
Dec 17, 2024
4
Double Oak, TX
While looking for info about adding a second pump for the waterfall, I found this site. This seems to be the place to ask questions to very knowledgeable experts.

Background ... my pool was remodeled a few years ago and the waterfall feature wall was rebuilt. The rebuild included wider waterfall outlets (wider slits, if you will). Of the three outputs, the center is on a dedicated shear line (I think that is the right term for a return line that goes to a water feature). The outer two share a shear line. Basically, with more flow, less output (head?) pressure, the result is that output of the waterfall lands close to the wall surface. Any wind pushes the water into the wall. With the smaller (previous) slits, the water splashed into the pool at a distance that kept if from impacting the wall. Hopefully that describes the issue that I am trying to fix.

Hopefully, adding a dedicated water feature pump will improve the situation. But the fact that the pool equipment has a 3-port jandy valve to close off the pool returns and direct the flow to the waterfall with unsatisfactory results raises some doubt that even a dedicated pump will fix this. I haven't tried every combination of valve and pump RPM so there is some hope.

Attached please find a pdf that has the existing pool equipment (page 1 and 2), the electrical schematics for an Intermatic PE733 Wi-Fi timer (page 3 and 4), and three proposed plumbing configurations for the waterfall pump (page 5, 6, and 7). If you have limited time (as most), please jump to the back three pages and give your thoughts. All feedback welcome. Thanks in advance.
 

Attachments

  • Pool Pad Labelled with plumbing options.pdf
    2.3 MB · Views: 7
Bob,

Where do you plan to 'suck' the water from?? You can't have two pumps sucking water from the same source at the same time.

Normally, a new suction port is installed in the pool.. Much easier to do with a new build.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Bob,

Where do you plan to 'suck' the water from?? You can't have two pumps sucking water from the same source at the same time.

Normally, a new suction port is installed in the pool.. Much easier to do with a new build.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Hi Jim,

The first plumbing configuration option called Dual Diverted Skimmers will suction from the skimmers to the waterfall pump when the waterfall pump is ON. When the waterfall pump is OFF, the skimmers will be diverted to the filter pump. Using the skimmers should not be an entrapment hazard and should provide enough water to the waterfall pump. An actuated 3-port Jandy valve will be controlled by the Intermatic PE733P. Your thoughts here very much appreciated.

Regards,
Bob T.
 
Welcome to TFP.

Water to sheers must be filtered. The slits in the sheers are small and debris in the water will clog the slit.

Your Jacuzzi 185 pump running at 120 volts cannot push as much water as a good 3+ HP pump running at 240 volts. I suspect a more powerful pump running at close to full speed may give you the flow you need at your waterfall.

Please post your pictures and diagrams to the forum. It will make it much easier to reference back to as we discuss this with you in the future.

 
Will a small sand filter work? Or a cartridge filter? Just trying to save space on the concrete. Thoughts welcome.

Sand or DE filters should not be used with a waterfall.

A small cartridge filter is required. Jandy has a small cartridge filter that is used to protect waterfalls although the energy filter is rated for up to 60 G.P.M. MAX. Your sheers may have more flow than that.

 
Hi ajw22,

I've decided that the Jandy CS100 will work great. I thought about the extremepowerUS filters, but too many bad reviews and challenges. Paying a bit more for Jandy, but probably worth the money and the reduction in aggravation.

The energy filter looked promising, and I could put one filter per sheer return (two filters total). But not sure I could balance the flow through each sheer line to stay below 60 gpm. I'll reconsider this as it will be a lower cost option and even reduces the filter area utilized on the pad.

Regards,
Bob
 
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