Ticking from my Hayward MaxFlo VS 500 pump at under 1800rpm

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John-John

John-John

Member
Feb 9, 2025
9
Austin, TX
Pool Size
13092
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I am a new pool owner and navigating failing maintenance based on what my pool builder told me in "pool school" and what I am learning here. My pool has been installed and under my care for about 2 weeks now. Prior to 3 weeks ago my knowledge was zero.

A few short facts for this post is not incredibly long.
  • My builder asked that I run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week at about 2500 rpm during the first few weeks, and I have been doing that. Before changing that up, I did some research here.
  • My pool equipment is installed on the side of my home below the pool level, so I am always mindful of shutting values before cleaning filters and the smaller in-line skimmer.
  • I recently dropped the RPM to 1750 based on trying to find the minimum speed needed to heat the pool and keep it clean. I plan to dial that 12 hours a day back after I learn more.
  • The 3 week old pump has a slight tick to it at 1750 rpm. When I hit the "quick clean" it no longer ticks, but when the speed drops back down it ticks.
The tick is louder than the normal rotational hum. Is this normal?

I closed all the values, flipped the breaker off, and attempted to find something between the impeller and the small inline skimmer, but it was clean. Is there a safe way to backwash the impeller? Since my equipment is below pool grade, can I
  • shut the pool skimmer value off
  • leave the jet/return value open
  • take the lid off the inline skimmer,
  • open the filter vent to rush water back through the pump the opposite way.
In theory, any rock of debris would then wash up out of the impeller and up to the small inline skimmer housing.
 
Some modern VS pumps have fans in the back of the motor to cool the motor and electronics. The fan blade may hit a shroud at low RPMs.

I doubt that ticking is from the impeller.

I would not worry about it.

Or you can piut a warranty claim into Hayward through your builder. But I think you will be told it is normal.
 
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wireform said:
Hi, welcome. We'll wait for someone to chime in here. Just one item of note, I went into your pm logs and your FC is skirting danger being so low. Target range for 40 CYA 5-7 PPM . At this point I'd recommend
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to be sure nothing algae wise is brewing yet eventhough you don’t see it yet.
Click to expand...
I’m planning to perform that test tonight. The chlorine levels are getting affected by the different temperatures and high fluctuations we’ve been experiencing here in Central Texas. About a week after the pool was completed, the temperature dropped to the high 30s during the day and the lower 20s at night. This caused us to run the pump continuously and the heater to be on.

This following week, we had a week of cloudless sunny days in the 70s, and my wife wanted the heater set to the high 80s. My water is currently super clear, but the test you mentioned will help me determine the chlorine levels.

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
I'm the last 5 days your CYA has been all over the place that's not possible if you didn't drain off water so which level is it. Chlorine in the water is what it is no matter the temperature swings you speak of. Follow the OCLT per the instructions and let see what you have in the morning.
 
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