Pentair top canister stuck

[richierich]

How do I open this? I removed the locking ring but can't get the top canister to budge at all. I should add that this is a brand new unit only been installed for a week. I was just curious to look inside and see what it looks like for when I have to remove the cartridge and clean it one day.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rich,

The lid should come right off after you remove the locking ring and open the air valve.

Did you try rocking it back and fourth?

I have used a wide common screw driver between the two halves on a couple of older DE filters, but I'm sure it is not recommend and not something I'd want to do on a new install.
There is a big O-Ring in there that could get damaged if you are not careful.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[richierich]

Rich,

The lid should come right off after you remove the locking ring and open the air valve.

Did you try rocking it back and fourth?

I have used a wide common screw driver between the two halves on a couple of older DE filters, but I'm sure it is not recommend and not something I'd want to do on a new install.
There is a big O-Ring in there that could get damaged if you are not careful.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yeah I bled the air release valve also. I tried to just pull the top off straight up, I kind of rocked it back and forth but not that much. I'll have to try later. I tried a screw driver a little bit but got nervous I'd break the o-ring so I stopped. It didnt really even budge

Would it matter opening the drain plug?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rich,

I just noticed that you have an AG pool.

Do you have a way to shut off the water going into your pump?

If so, I would remove the drain plug and try it.

I'm not up on AG pools, but I can imagine that if you remove the drain plug, gravity will cause the water in the pool to flow through your skimmer and out the drain hole in the filter.

I did notice that the manual says to stuff a rag in the skimmer line.. ???

Jim R.

 

[richierich]

Yeah just re-read the manual. It says to drain the filter. I try that. Thank you I do have valves to shut the flow of water

 

[smankins]

I have a new Pentair CC200 and the top is very difficult to remove. I had to stick a screwdriver, or some flat bladed object, in the gap and wedge very gently to get it started. I removed the lid before I installed just to see what was in there and it was a chore. I removed it again after installation just so I could rotate the lid where I wanted and again had trouble getting it off. I have seen a video where Pentair suggested tapping the lid with a rubber dead blow hammer if needed to remove the lid but that didn't work for me and I didn't want to whack it too hard. Hopefully it becomes easier over time.

 

[richierich]

yeah I'm worried to stick a screw driver in there. Maybe I can use a rubber mallet. I haven't had a chance to use drain the filter yet. I plan on having my wife hold the bottom, while I hold the top.

 

[smankins]

If you do use a screwdriver or flat blade don't stick in the screwdriver perpendicular to the filter top. Try to get it in almost tangentially so that more blade is in a gap, if possible. Then just gently rock the screwdriver and move it to different locations.

 

[richierich]

would you suggest angling the screw driver up toward the top or down toward the floor

 

[smankins]

Sorry for the late reply. I've been out of pocket. Just keep the screwdriver (or something flat like a scraper) level with the gap and rock it up and down.