air bubbles in SWCG

[dtrebus]

I have read several older threads about air bubbles trapped in SWCG, especially at low pump speeds.
I have had my Core 55 since beginning of June. For the whole month of July, up until about a week ago, I have been running my VSP at 1000rpm, with 2 15 min sessions of 2500, just to flush out any air bubbles.
About a week ago, I have noticed waster flowing through SWCG and the flow switch is pushed to side (not straight up and down), but generator shows no flow light. If I keep everything on, and plug the return jet for a bit, the flow switch drops to vertical and when return is unpluged, the no flow light goes off. When I loosen the union in top, the air escapes and green light comes back on. I turned it up to 1200RPM and after work, I noticed no flow light was on even though there is flow and flow switch is activated. I am currently trying 1300RPM. I tried to outline where air is on picture.
Don't know why this just started this past week, and I have never had issues with it for over a month, with the same settings.
Purpose of VSP is to reduce electric costs w/ lower speed, but if I have to continually turn up speed to clear air, that defeats the purpose. I know its bad to have flow switch not operational but generator still generates, but I'm confused as I can see water flowing and flow switch is activated, but it alerts me to a no flow situation.
Any insights or solutions to this?

 

[generessler]

You should prefer experts' advice. I'm not one. But It might not be air. The cell generates hydrogen gas, which is lighter than air. And it's potentially explosive. Think Hindenburg. The flow needs to be strong enough to sweep this out to the pool. In other words the switch might well be working as intended. You may need to determine the flow/pump RPM that keeps the cell full, then run the pump at that speed while the SWG is on. The cell manual says "In case you have a variable speed pump, increase flow until the LED turns off."

 

[mknauss]

With your very small cartridge filter, be sure you are cleaning it often enough. Likely your flow rate is decreasing as it plugs up.

 

[dtrebus]

It's weird how in 1 month of no problems and no changes, it suddenly shows no flow light even though I see flow and the flow switch is deviated a good bit (but I don't know if it would deflect more (or max.) at higher speeds.

 

[mknauss]

If you are sure you have adequate flow, and the no flow light shows then file a warranty claim.

 

[dtrebus]

Just saw your post Marty. Pressures stay the same at different speeds, but will clean it again and see what happens.

 

[mknauss]

If the pressure stays the same at different RPM, I would be suspect of the pressure gauge.

 

[generessler]

It's not a popular opinion here, but cases like this are what led me to add a flow gauge. It's a nice cross-check with pressure and great for items like SWG, heater, skimmers, etc. with minimum or "best" flow specs.

 

[dtrebus]

I'm seeing how long I can dial down RPM until it happens again. had it at 1200prm and this morning no flow light was on.
With the pressures, I meant it was the typical pressure for the speed pump was set at, there hasn't been any deviations in pressure.
And actually, it has been about 2 months that I had everything set with no changes, and it just started. I don't see any leaks anywhere, so is it a design flaw?
Just have to play with it more and call circupool to see if it's something with the flow switch

 

[dtrebus]

I read somewhere that the "air pocket" could affect the salinity sensor which is on the opposite side of cell from flow switch. So it was recommended to angle the unit towards the back to keep the salinity sensor covered. Will try that also

 

[dtrebus]

So I angled the Core 55 about 10-15 degrees to the back of the unit so the sensors on that side were covered, and I am back down to 1000RPM on my VSP and the No flow light has not come on again