How much flow does a salt system need?

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D2creative

D2creative

Well-known member
Jun 27, 2020
83
Houston, TX
Pool Size
10000
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
Brand new pool setup and I'm noticing that when my pump is running at 1750-ish rpm the salt system says NO FLOW.
But if I bump it up to the next preset speed of 2300, the salt system runs fine.
Just wanted to see if this is normal or if there is a problem with the sensor I need to figure out.
System specs in my sig.
 
All depends on an individual pools plumbing and equipment. Some setups have more “head” restrictions then others and need more RPM to get the needed flow to engage the flow switch.

Change the 1750 preset and try in 50 RPM increments up.

Post pics of your equipment pad and let us see your setup and where the flow switch is placed.
 
The VS pump in your siganture -- is it the 0.85 hp version? If so, you likely will need to run at higher RPM to achieve the flow needed. Run through the steps Allen described.
 
mknauss said:
The VS pump in your siganture -- is it the 0.85 hp version? If so, you likely will need to run at higher RPM to achieve the flow needed. Run through the steps Allen described.
Click to expand...
ajw22 said:
All depends on an individual pools plumbing and equipment. Some setups have more “head” restrictions then others and need more RPM to get the needed flow to engage the flow switch.

Change the 1750 preset and try in 50 RPM increments up.

Post pics of your equipment pad and let us see your setup and where the flow switch is placed.
Click to expand...
Pump says THP 1.65/0.85

I'm pretty sure the switch is not in the right spot as there is only 6" of straight pipe before it. Plenty of room to move it forward toward the cell.

IMG_2395.jpg
 
D2,

I really doubt that moving the flow switch will help at all. Mine is immediately after a 90 and it works fine.

The larger the pump the slower it can run and still move a lot of water. The smaller the pump the higher RPM you have to run to move the same amount of water.

It also has to do with the size of your filter and when the last time it was cleaned. The smaller the filter, the quicker they get dirty and the less flow you will get.

If you decide to move the flow switch, please report back with your results.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Is the model number SP23520VSP or SP23510VSP?

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MaxFlo VS | Pumps | In Ground Pool Pumps - Hayward Pool Products

MaxFlo VS brings variable-speed technology to the popular MaxFlo pump family. They are an easy drop-in variable-speed pool pump upgrade that deliver up to 80% energy cost savings over single-speed models.
www.hayward-pool.com www.hayward-pool.com

MaxFlo VS | Pumps | In Ground Pool Pumps - Hayward Pool Products

www.hayward-pool.com www.hayward-pool.com

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Last edited:
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The hydraulic horsepower of the 1.65 "Rated" horsepower pump is 0.559 vs. the hydraulic horsepower of 0.409 for the "Rated horsepower pump of 0.85, which is odd since the hydraulic horsepower is 1.3667 times vs the expected 1.94 times, which indicates that Hayward is playing games with their ratings just like in the past with idiotic ratings that are mostly worthless.

The performance is close, so the ratings are not worthwhile.


1679778299702.png

MaxFlo VS | Pumps | In Ground Pool Pumps - Hayward Pool Products

MaxFlo VS™ brings variable-speed technology to the popular MaxFlo pump family. They are a drop-in variable-speed pool pump upgrade that delivers up to 80% energy cost savings over single speed models.
www.hayward-pool.com www.hayward-pool.com
 

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Given that of I'm reading right this is a pool that's been up for less than a week, I would venture to guess it is not a dirty filter issue. The aquarite manual mentions several times needing 12" clear in front of the flow switch and even states this can include the cell (ie if the install was flipped cell first, you'd be perfect) I would ask the builder to install the cell and flow switch per the manual before going down other paths. Screenshot_20230325_152339_Acrobat for Samsung.jpg
 

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@Ahultin

Almost all cells 'require' 12" of straight pipe before the flow switch. I have never seen where it makes any real difference in actual operation.

It can't hurt to move the flow switch and see what happens, but I would not get my hopes up. :)

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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JamesW said:
What is the filter pressure at different speeds?
Click to expand...
How do i find that out? Pressure gauge? Looks like about 4-4.5 psi at 1725 rpm and about 9 psi at 2300 rpm
I'm cleaning the filter daily this first week per pool builder.

Only thing i see on the screen currently is wattage. Its running around 120 watts at 1725 rpm and around 260 watts at 2300 rpm.
 
D2creative said:
How do I find that out? Pressure gauge?
Click to expand...
Yes.

D2creative said:
Looks like about 4-4.5 psi at 1725 rpm and about 9 psi at 2300 rpm
Click to expand...
That's too high and indicates a flow restriction at the return.

At 1,725 RPM, the pressure should be close to zero.

Is the system at the same elevation as the pool?

I would estimate the system curve to be about A when it should be about B.

Maybe try a new cartridge and check the cell for debris.


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D2creative said:
Its running around 120 watts at 1725 rpm and around 260 watts at 2300 rpm.
Click to expand...
That's too low and possibly indicates a flow restriction on the suction as well as the return.

I would probably check the suction pressure.

Can you check the wattage, filter pressure and suction pressure at these speeds?

3,450, 3,000, 2,400, 1,725, 1,000 RPM.
 
JamesW said:
That's too low and possibly indicates a flow restriction on the suction as well as the return.

I would probably check the suction pressure.

Can you check the wattage, filter pressure and suction pressure at these speeds?

3,450, 3,000, 2,400, 1,725, 1,000 RPM.
Click to expand...
How do you check suction pressure?
The equipment pad and pool are fairly level to each other. But the top of the pool is slightly higher than the pad the filter is sitting on. Mere inches.
 
Vacuum gauge screwed into the front drain plug.

However, be very careful as the drain plug hole is plastic and the pressure gauge is 1/4" NPT brass and it can easily crack the threaded plastic hole.

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In this picture, the main valve is closed, which I assume is when the deck jets are on.

Are you checking the pressure with the valve open or closed?

Why are the rocks all wet?

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JamesW said:
In this picture, the main valve is closed, which I assume is when the deck jets are on.

Are you checking the pressure with the valve open or closed?

Why are the rocks all wet?
Click to expand...
That pic was yesterday when i was running the jets.
The info I gave this morning was with the valve open and jets off.
Rocks were wet because i had just hosed dried mud off the valves from the construction and landscaping going on.

I'll have to pick up one of those gauges!
 
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