Flow light issue

Jump to latest Follow Reply
vanellya

vanellya

Bronze Supporter
Jun 15, 2021
97
toronto
Pool Size
13000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
Hello all,
I posted about this issue last year, but the issue is persisting again. My flow light continues to turn red after a couple of days, only responding to increased pump speed. We opened the pool on Wednesday, and all was running well. Pool is clear and I added some salt and stabilizer because it was low. I also took a couple of days to deep clean the filters prior to start up. I used Dawn and TSP and the comb to really clean them well, and I soaked them overnight as well. Upon start up all the lights on the chlorinator were green. I had to pump running at 2550. Today I go look, and the flow light is red. I up the speed to 3000, it turns back green. When I turn it back down to 2550 (which is already high to begin with), it turns back red. I am completely stumped and have no idea what is happening. Could this be a faulty chlorinator?
 
It really can’t be this. Pool JUST opened a few days ago with spanking clean filters and I was having this issue all last summer even after passing OCLT. I have friends that have literally never cleaned their pool filters mid season, meanwhile I’m cleaning my filters every five minutes and adding bleach to keep my numbers on track. Something isn’t right
 
vanellya said:
It really can’t be this.
Click to expand...
It can and is the #1 issue on TFP causing the symptoms you are describing.

How are you testing your water?
How old are the reagents?
Post a full set of chemical results. FC, CC, pH, TA, CH, CYA.
AND, do the OCLT tonight.
 
Last edited:
van,

There is just one thing that will cause the flow of water to decrease day after day, and that is a dirty filter..

The number one thing that causes a filter to get plugged up is algae.. Even if you can't see it yet.

You need to do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.. OCLT...

If you fail the OCLT you will need to do a SLAM..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Even though the pool has been open only 5 days, the water is cold, it was shocked and the filters were clean upon opening? I am waiting on a fresh batch of DPD powder so I will take the water to get checked at the pool store today. I just find it so hard to believe that since last Thursday, the filters could suddenly be so clogged that they restrict flow even at a 2550 pump speed.
 
van,

If your only problem was constant low flow, then it could be anything..

But, if the flow decreases each day, then I can't think of anything other than an increasingly dirty filter that could cause that problem..

And... if you open and clean the filter, and the flow initially goes back to normal, and then starts decreasing again, it just proves the point..

Did you use Flock or Clarifier of any kind?? Any other 'magic' Pool Store chemicals?

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Nope no pool store chemicals. I only use bleach and muriatic acid if needed.

I will adjust as per the results, but should I clean the filter again now or after I ensure the chemistry is normalized?
 
van,

Were you able to do an OCLT? If so, what were the results?

If decide to clean the filter again, then I suggest that you first set your pump to say 3000 rpm and then record the filter pressure. Then clean the filter, and run the same 3000 rpm pressure check. Tell us what readings you had..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
I couldn’t do OCLT because I ran out of DPD but it’s on the way. But I’ll do what you said about the pressure gauge. I’ve been cleaning the filters with dawn and tsp and the filter comb. When I run my fingers in the pleats it doesn’t feel slimy. Any other pointers on cleaning them?
 
Toronto, not that far from us. Pollen is your enemy. It's horrendous this year...worst I've seen it. I put a filter-sock in the skimmer the other day, and it was clogged to the point of restricting flow so much the heater wouldn't kick-off inside of 24 hours. Bumping the pump speed just 'muscles' past the problem. You can barely see the pollen on the pool, unless you get the light and angle just right.

Grab a filter sock, put it in the skimmer, and check it the next day...I think you'll be amazed at the fluffy crud it's catching..and that'll be blocking your filter.
 
Van,

Just for reference...

I never clean or soak my cartridges at all.. Yes, they are not white, but the color is not what filters..

Do what you want, but it sure seems like a lot of effort for no real gain.

I replaced my 4 cartridges after 8 years.. Not because they did not work, but I just got antsy. The new cartridges did not work any better than the old ones.

I have a large cartridge filter and clean it once a year..



What size filter do you have??

I like SJ's post... Pollen could clog a filter just like algae, but you really need to do an OCLT to rule algae out first.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
This is the pressure gauge at 2450 and 2950 respectively

I can also add a skimmer sock if that will help. I’m about to open the filter and look now.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8820.jpeg
    IMG_8820.jpeg
    576 KB · Views: 4
  • IMG_8821.jpeg
    IMG_8821.jpeg
    545 KB · Views: 4
Using a surfactant like Dawn on your cartridges may be detrimental. I would again try to run the system without the cartridges installed.
 
Without the cartridges, the system should operate at a low rpm with no need to increase to keep the cell happy.

It will show it is the filters that are the issue.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply