First post on this awesome forum, I've poked around, lurked around a bit, superb stuff here, thanks to all!
My problem is that my suction is too weak to properly run my new 4 wheel PoolCleaner on the low speed of my 2 year old two speed pump. And I cannot understand why.
By my approximate calculations of head and the pump curves from the manual, I should be getting 32 GPM. I plugged my numbers into Mas985's awesome pump tools spreadsheet and get 28 GPM. But I just don't see it in practice. Or more accurately, I only get 6 rpms on the PoolCleaner wheels where it requires 12 rpm. I've read that this particular cleaner works with even 15 GPM. So I am missing something.
I first thought that I had a suction side leak, as there was air in the basket when the suction cleaner was attached. But after smoke test, shaving cream test and replacing Orings, I realized I was not completely eliminating the air from the hose, because doing so eliminates the air. So now I am thinking its a clog. But hose and shop vac have not dislodged anything. Impeller feels clean and looks clean when inspected with one of those tiny cameras.
One thing I cannot understand is when the pump is on low speed, I can completely close off the suction line (with a plug), and it still does not cause any air in the pump basket. Initially, I thought this confirmed that I did not have a suction air leak but now I am not sure. Shouldn't the basket evacuate?
1. At low speed gauge reads 2 psi, goes to 12 psi on high speed.
2. On high speed no air in basket. If I prime with high speed and switch to low speed then no air or very little air in the basket.
3. On high speed with suction cleaner attached, a lot of air in the basket.
Thank you for your time and sorry this is so long!
My problem is that my suction is too weak to properly run my new 4 wheel PoolCleaner on the low speed of my 2 year old two speed pump. And I cannot understand why.
By my approximate calculations of head and the pump curves from the manual, I should be getting 32 GPM. I plugged my numbers into Mas985's awesome pump tools spreadsheet and get 28 GPM. But I just don't see it in practice. Or more accurately, I only get 6 rpms on the PoolCleaner wheels where it requires 12 rpm. I've read that this particular cleaner works with even 15 GPM. So I am missing something.
I first thought that I had a suction side leak, as there was air in the basket when the suction cleaner was attached. But after smoke test, shaving cream test and replacing Orings, I realized I was not completely eliminating the air from the hose, because doing so eliminates the air. So now I am thinking its a clog. But hose and shop vac have not dislodged anything. Impeller feels clean and looks clean when inspected with one of those tiny cameras.
One thing I cannot understand is when the pump is on low speed, I can completely close off the suction line (with a plug), and it still does not cause any air in the pump basket. Initially, I thought this confirmed that I did not have a suction air leak but now I am not sure. Shouldn't the basket evacuate?
1. At low speed gauge reads 2 psi, goes to 12 psi on high speed.
2. On high speed no air in basket. If I prime with high speed and switch to low speed then no air or very little air in the basket.
3. On high speed with suction cleaner attached, a lot of air in the basket.
Thank you for your time and sorry this is so long!