Air in pump basket when directing suction to pool cleaner

[skinien]

I've searched the threads and couldn't find a similar issue. Sorry if this is a duplicate.

I've been trying to troubleshoot an issue, researching for the last month, and can't seem to find a solution.

I have a 3 port suction side valve that allows me to direct intake from the spa or pool. The pool has two skimmer baskets: 1) is just a simple skimmer basket 2) is a skimmer basket pool cleaner combo

My main problem is if I direct enough suction to the automatic pool cleaner per OEM specs (11 - 13 RPM), I start to get air in the pump basket. It starts off as small bubbles and eventually builds up to a significant amount of air. If I don't get the RPMs to 11+, the pool cleaner doesn't make it to the shallow end of the pool. If suction is lower, say 8 RPMs, I have no issues with air in the pump basket.

I don't think I have a leak in the cleaner hose - I've inspected and held out of the pool while running and no air builds up in the inline leaf canister nor do I hear a hiss/leak. I've also checked for air leaks on the suction side plumbing but I would think if it is a suction side leak, it would happen all of the time.

I have a 60 sq ft DE filter
Hayward sp3400vsp set at 3100 RPM
The pool cleaner is a two wheel Hayward Poolvergnuegen with 12 hoses (including the leader hose)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

Do you have a main drain?

Post pics of your pump and valves and equipment.

 

[skinien]

Thanks, signature updated. Pictures attached.

 

[ajw22]

Is this pool cleaner new? Did it ever work correctly?

 

[skinien]

We moved into the house about a year ago and inherited most of the equipment, including the cleaner. Although the pool has kept clean, I'm just now trying to tune it. I recently learned that there shouldn't be air in the basket.

 

[ajw22]

Your setup is not optimum for a suction cleaner. All you can do is the best with the valves you have. That is why folks have switched to robot cleaners.

 

[skinien]

Can you explain what in the setup makes it not optimum?

 

[steevo]

Is the other skimmer pulling in air when you use the vac and turn up the suction? When you attach the vacuum, can you stop suction from the other skimmer? There should be a flap inside.
A better setup would use a dedicated line for the vacuum. Best would be a robot.

 

[skinien]

Is the other skimmer pulling in air when you use the vac and turn up the suction? When you attach the vacuum, can you stop suction from the other skimmer? There should be a flap inside.
A better setup would use a dedicated line for the vacuum. Best would be a robot.

The other skimmer is not pulling in air. I'm pretty good about keeping the water level at the right height. There is a way to stop suction from the other skimmer but that actually makes the problem worse. It's almost as if the pump does not handle the flow restriction well.