I just got a house with a pool and I think I have my water flow turn on right but I’m not totally sure. Can someone clarify? All the way to the right the two pipes coming up are marked skimmer, the middle pipe coming up is marked drain the one left of that marked return. To the left, out of pic, is just a heater. The pipe that comes up higher all the way to right is unmarked but that small filter reads as no pressure. But it’s got water flowing and it’s filtering lots of small stuff. Any help appreciated
Are my valves set right?
- Thread starter Organick
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,062
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome! 
The 3-way valve to the very right (skimmers) is open to the middle position so that both skimmers can pull water. The center valve for the drain appears to be open as well. The valve to the left may say return, but it's not a return like we speak of here - returning to the pool. Instead, it's supply water being pulled IN from another source coming back to the pump. Maybe a vacuum cleaner port or spa? Make sure to update your signature.
Now the line coming up from the rear of the pump goes to two places - to the filter and to the right through that canister back into the ground. The valve for those is currently open to both. I don't recall what that separate line to the right (with the canister) is for. Maybe another pressurized cleaning system? I'm drawing a blank, so maybe someone else can confirm. After going left to the filter, it comes out at the PVC that goes down and to the left outside the image. Probably to your heater. Hope that helps.
The 3-way valve to the very right (skimmers) is open to the middle position so that both skimmers can pull water. The center valve for the drain appears to be open as well. The valve to the left may say return, but it's not a return like we speak of here - returning to the pool. Instead, it's supply water being pulled IN from another source coming back to the pump. Maybe a vacuum cleaner port or spa? Make sure to update your signature.Now the line coming up from the rear of the pump goes to two places - to the filter and to the right through that canister back into the ground. The valve for those is currently open to both. I don't recall what that separate line to the right (with the canister) is for. Maybe another pressurized cleaning system? I'm drawing a blank, so maybe someone else can confirm. After going left to the filter, it comes out at the PVC that goes down and to the left outside the image. Probably to your heater. Hope that helps.
O.
Show us a a pic from both sides.. One showing the heater and all the pipes connected to it, and one showing the view from the heater toward the pump..
I too am unsure what the valve marked "return" is supposed to do..
Unless you have a cleaner in your pool, or maybe some kind of in-floor system, I would turn the valve that allows water to go to the little filter with the gauge off. I'd want all the water to go to the main filter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Show us a a pic from both sides.. One showing the heater and all the pipes connected to it, and one showing the view from the heater toward the pump..
I too am unsure what the valve marked "return" is supposed to do..
Unless you have a cleaner in your pool, or maybe some kind of in-floor system, I would turn the valve that allows water to go to the little filter with the gauge off. I'd want all the water to go to the main filter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thanks! Here are other pics I have. I can get more if needed. There is a floor drain, there is a port for an auto vac, I don’t think it has a cleaning system beyond the filters.
O,
Ok... the weird suction side valve that is labeled Return make some sense now...
Since your heater is not working just leave it as it is in your pic.. In the current position it will send all of the return water back to the pool...
If the heater were working, you "could" close the main drain valve so that it was isolated from the pump, you could then turn the "Return" valve so that all the water from the heater could go to the main drain.. In theory this allows for better heating of the pool water , but I have my doubts that it is all that much better..
If you are not using the autovac system then you should shut of the valve that is letting water go to the little filter....
I would move the main drain valve so that it is only open about 10%... This will provide more suction to your skimmers..
Please let us know if this does not make sense or if you have more questions,
Thanks,
Jim R.
Ok... the weird suction side valve that is labeled Return make some sense now...
Since your heater is not working just leave it as it is in your pic.. In the current position it will send all of the return water back to the pool...
If the heater were working, you "could" close the main drain valve so that it was isolated from the pump, you could then turn the "Return" valve so that all the water from the heater could go to the main drain.. In theory this allows for better heating of the pool water , but I have my doubts that it is all that much better..
If you are not using the autovac system then you should shut of the valve that is letting water go to the little filter....
I would move the main drain valve so that it is only open about 10%... This will provide more suction to your skimmers..
Please let us know if this does not make sense or if you have more questions,
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thank you!! So that pipe all the way to the right is only for the auto vac?
And close the middle valve only 10%? Does it matter which way I rotate it?
And close the middle valve only 10%? Does it matter which way I rotate it?
O,
On the output of the pump is a valve with the handle pointing straight down.. You need to point that handle to the left.. this will shut off the water going to the little filter.
On the center valve, if you point the handle to the left side, you will fully open the main drain and shut off the skimmers.. You need to point the handle to the Right, which will shut off the main drain.. and then just crack it open just a little bit. This will let a little (about 10%) of the water to come from the main drain and most of the water to come from your skimmers..
Thanks,
Jim R.
On the output of the pump is a valve with the handle pointing straight down.. You need to point that handle to the left.. this will shut off the water going to the little filter.
On the center valve, if you point the handle to the left side, you will fully open the main drain and shut off the skimmers.. You need to point the handle to the Right, which will shut off the main drain.. and then just crack it open just a little bit. This will let a little (about 10%) of the water to come from the main drain and most of the water to come from your skimmers..
Thanks,
Jim R.