VA-52 Apollo backwash valve replacement

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jeffr47

jeffr47

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Bronze Supporter
Oct 19, 2018
144
Rockville, MD
Pool Size
22000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool Universal40
I have a trusty VA-52 DE filter that's keeping my pool spotless. However, the backwash valve it is attached to has seen better days. Yesterday I looked out and noticed my water level was under the tile, and discovered the ferncos that attach the backwash valve to the filter had popped off and I was pumping my pool into the yard.

I think the valve is discontinued, so I am looking for a replacement suggestion. Also, how best to handle the PVC to metal transition between the valve and the filter?
 

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Anthony went away decades ago. There used to be backwash valves that could be adapted somewhat universally, but that caused too many liability issues and they are no longer made. You could always plumb pipe directly into the filter with adapters like the ones in your picture. You would then need to open the filter to clean. Unless you can find an old pool company that might have something lying around, that's the best you can do if your valve is leaking, too.
 
I'm wondering if this might work. I'd have to adapt the plumbing of course.

Praher Universal Multiport Valve 1-1/2" FPT (Sand/D.E.) - SM-10-A0 - INYOPools.com

SM-10-AO-THREAD - VALVE,1 1/2" ALL PORT - PRAHER (SM-10-AO-THREAD)
www.inyopools.com www.inyopools.com

Or this, again having to adapt the plumbing because the spacing is wrong for my filter.

1stoppoolstore.com

Jandy Slide Valve - Push Pull - DE - 1 Stop Pool Store Plano - Coppell - Frisco TX

The Jandy Slide Valve offers an economical alternative to provide basic backwash functions. Large flow passages for simple, efficient...
1stoppoolstore.com 1stoppoolstore.com
 
If you are willing to adapted the spacing with PVC pipe offsets then either of those can probably be made to work.

You can also get the same functionality by stacking up two standard 3-port valves, and depending on how close your current spacing is, might be able to match it.

Downside is there are two levers to move instead of the one plunger, the upside is it gives you a "vacuum to waste" option should you ever want it.
 
flynwill said:
If you are willing to adapted the spacing with PVC pipe offsets then either of those can probably be made to work.

You can also get the same functionality by stacking up two standard 3-port valves, and depending on how close your current spacing is, might be able to match it.

Downside is there are two levers to move instead of the one plunger, the upside is it gives you a "vacuum to waste" option should you ever want it.
Click to expand...
Can you make me a diagram showing how to do this with 3-port valves? Sounds like a simple solution.
 
Note that the Jandy valve come with a stop that is usually set so that you cannot shutoff the center port of the Tee, so for this usage you will likely want to remove the eight phillips head screws that hole the handle assembly to the valve body, rotate the assembly 180 degrees and re-install the screws, so that the stop will now prevent the "all open" position.
 
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It took me longer to get this project started than I expected, and getting all the various existing pieces to line up was a challenge. But it works beautifully! The threads on the two unions at the right match the threads on the DE filter, so that was an easy adaption as well. And I used the new pump to waste feature I now have to bring down the pool level without having to drag out the submersible pump, which was another plus!

IMG_8758.jpeg
 
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