- Oct 28, 2013
- 7
Hello everyone,
I recently replaced my Polaris Caretaker 5 port Valve unit as the cleaning heads were no longer rising. Prior to the replacement, the pump pressure indicated on my Pentair sand filter was between 20psi (clean) and 30psi (required cleaning).
With the new pool cleaner valve, and with the main return valve fully open, the operating pressure is around 5psi, which is not enough to drive the cleaning heads.
To increase pressure I tried reducing the flow to the main return. With the main return half closed, the psi on the Caretaker increases to 5psi, which doesn't seem to be enough to drive the 3 heads in the middle of the pool, which open simultaneously. With the main return fully closed, the psi on the Caretaker increases to 10psi, which I understand is still not within normal limits, but does drive the pool cleaning heads. HOWEVER, this increases the pressure on the Pentair sand filter to 25psi with the main return half closed and 30psi with the main return fully closed. My last Pentair sand filter cracked when the pressure went over 35psi, so I'm concerned that this might happen again.
I don't have any other valves open (fountain, waterfall etc.). The only other valves are the suction valve for pool robot (off) and the valve that splits between the skimmer (40%) and the main drain (60%) for suction.
I checked the caretaker valve and all unions for water leaks but can't find any. What am I doing wrong? Is there another way to regulate the pool filter and pool cleaner pressure? I thought opening the valve on the pool filter pressure gauge might help, but wouldn't that simply lower the pressure overall?
All suggestions and advice greatly appreciated. I know this is an amazing forum!
Thanks,
I recently replaced my Polaris Caretaker 5 port Valve unit as the cleaning heads were no longer rising. Prior to the replacement, the pump pressure indicated on my Pentair sand filter was between 20psi (clean) and 30psi (required cleaning).
With the new pool cleaner valve, and with the main return valve fully open, the operating pressure is around 5psi, which is not enough to drive the cleaning heads.
To increase pressure I tried reducing the flow to the main return. With the main return half closed, the psi on the Caretaker increases to 5psi, which doesn't seem to be enough to drive the 3 heads in the middle of the pool, which open simultaneously. With the main return fully closed, the psi on the Caretaker increases to 10psi, which I understand is still not within normal limits, but does drive the pool cleaning heads. HOWEVER, this increases the pressure on the Pentair sand filter to 25psi with the main return half closed and 30psi with the main return fully closed. My last Pentair sand filter cracked when the pressure went over 35psi, so I'm concerned that this might happen again.
I don't have any other valves open (fountain, waterfall etc.). The only other valves are the suction valve for pool robot (off) and the valve that splits between the skimmer (40%) and the main drain (60%) for suction.
I checked the caretaker valve and all unions for water leaks but can't find any. What am I doing wrong? Is there another way to regulate the pool filter and pool cleaner pressure? I thought opening the valve on the pool filter pressure gauge might help, but wouldn't that simply lower the pressure overall?
All suggestions and advice greatly appreciated. I know this is an amazing forum!
Thanks,