40+ PSI

[f_dupp]

Trying to help a friend. I used to work on pools 20+ years ago, so I don't want to second guess her current pool guy. But he's telling her not to be concerned about a 50 psi on her Hayward sand filter, since it's new (1 year old). I looked at manufacturer specs, and it does say max PSI is 50, but that seems high to me. After backwash, it's still 40+.

I know this can be variable by pool set-up, but what do y'all think. Is that normal for a new filter? BTW, she's having major trouble getting pool clear. My expertise was generally more chemical than mechanical.

 

[JohnT]

It’s definitely not right.

 

[Richard320]

At 50 psi there'd hardly be any flow.

If the flow seems decent, I'd suspect a bad gauge. Does it go back to zero when the pump is off?

 

[JamesW]

Does the gauge go to zero when the pump is off?

The only pump that can get to 40 psi is a 3 hp Whisperflo or Intelliflo.

No residential pump can do 50 psi.

What pump does she have?

 

[f_dupp]

Flow seems good. New filter, so I assume new gauge. But who knows how it was winterized. Will ask about PSI with pump off.

 

[f_dupp]

(I'm doing this all virtually, with new pool owners)

 

[f_dupp]

Hayward Super Pump 700. Don't know HP. It's a 28k gallon pool.

 

[JamesW]

https://www.hayward-pool.com/assets/documents/pools/pdf/Hayward_Super_Pump_700_Digital_Download_SellSheet_v2.pdf

If it's this pump, the limit is about 69 feet of head, which is about 30 psi.

The pump can't generate more than 30 psi.

Must be a bad gauge.

 

[f_dupp]

Thanks all! Will follow up after checking the gauge if that doesn't fix this.

 

[JamesW]

But he's telling her not to be concerned about a 50 psi on her Hayward sand filter, since it's new (1 year old).

I would be concerned about a service person who thinks that 50 psi is normal for any filter or pump.

 

[f_dupp]

Confirmed. Gauge goes down to 30 when pump is turned off. Not sure why her pool guy didn't tell her that, rather than tell her it's a new filter and not to worry about it. Maybe he's the one that broke the gauge. Haha.

Anyway, first post here. Appreciate all the help.

 

[Richard320]

Confirmed. Gauge goes down to 30 when pump is turned off. Not sure why her pool guy didn't tell her that, rather than tell her it's a new filter and not to worry about it. Maybe he's the one that broke the gauge. Haha.

Anyway, first post here. Appreciate all the help.

One thing to be aware of -- you can't just say the gauge is off by 30 psi and do simple arithmetic. It's completely unreliable now. Fortunately, changing it is not significantly harder than replacing a light bulb.

 

[JohnT]

Pool guys and pool store workers are at best a crapshoot. Some know their stuff, but some are clueless. If you don’t at least understand the basics, or have some TFP friends who do, you can’t tell. TFP is priceless even if you just use it to keep an eye on pool workers you hire.

 

[wireform]

Confirmed. Gauge goes down to 30 when pump is turned off. Not sure why her pool guy didn't tell her that, rather than tell her it's a new filter and not to worry about it. Maybe he's the one that broke the gauge. Haha.

Anyway, first post here. Appreciate all the help.

All the above but will add: use some Teflon tape on the threads and do not use any liquidy pastes/thread sealers as that will give you a false feel for "enough tightening" and you can easily crack the plastic threaded port. Go it with feel and stop. If it leaks when the pumps running give it another turn.