Aqualink PDA system, Pentair variable speed pool pump and Laminars.

[robl45]

I've asked before never figured it out so figured I would try again on here. I have an Aqualink PDA system with a Pentair Variable speed pool pump and Pentair Laminars, 2 of them. The problem I have is I turn on my laminars and they work great. For about 30 minutes or so. Then they start to get lower and lower. They also start to sputter so I'm guessing they don't get enough flow. One seems to be worse than the other although both aren't great, but one ends up with a little sputtering but is still basically working while the other ends up a pathetic mess that doesn't resemble a laminar stream. The thing is, if I turn the pump off and back on, they perform great again for about one minute while its in prime and then they also work but they are much lower because it drops out of prime. Weird if its a flow issue. If I turn off the laminars and turn off the pump and then turn it back on again and then turn on the laminars, they work great for whatever amount of time before going to Crud again. I'm at a loss with this. Its a Pentair 3hp VS pump BTW. It is set for basically top RPM when the laminars run and when blower is activated for the spa. Never notice an issue with the spa bubbles dropping out, but the blower does turn off after 30 minutes. Anyone have any ideas. its really starting to make me insane as I was about to start pulling apart the laminars to figure out what is wrong, but I realize they are only spitting when the flow starts to drop.

I also need to figure out how to angle these pentair laminars if anyone has any suggestions, As it is now, I can set them however I want, but once I drop them down in the hole, they basically just move to whatever position they want.

EDIT: after doing a bit of research, it seems that the variable speed pump is also variable flow and I'm thinking that somehow its dropping the speed to keep the flow constant or something? The Aqualink only has settings for RPM. Would maybe setting the RPM less than max give it more headroom or something?

 

[ajw22]

Remove the cartridge from your filter and run the laminars and see what behavior you get.

 

[robl45]

Is it okay to run for that long?. Assuming I do run it like that, what does that tell us? Not being a smart Rear, just we need to use the filter regardless.

 

[ajw22]

Is it okay to run for that long?.

You can run without the cartridge for a long time. Water will just circulate through without anything being filtered.

Assuming I do run it like that, what does that tell us?

It will tell us if your problem is your filter getting clogged.

Not being a smart Rear, just we need to use the filter regardless.

It is just a test to rule out or point to the filter as the culprit.

 

[robl45]

okay, so I will be the first to admit that I dont clean the filter like I should, and you make a good point, however that doesn't explain the issue of turning it off and then back on and it works fine again. Wouldn't it just work at a reduced level of output if the filter is clogged?

 

[ajw22]

okay, so I will be the first to admit that I dont clean the filter like I should, and you make a good point, however that doesn't explain the issue of turning it off and then back on and it works fine again. Wouldn't it just work at a reduced level of output if the filter is clogged?

Nope, that is why I suspect it is your filter.

When the pump is running dirt and debris will coat the filter and slow the flow.

When you turn the pump off the water drains from the filter and the dirt and debris slumps off the cartridge into the bottom of the filter. When you restart the pump the filter is cleaner then when the pump was shutoff. At least until the running of the pump recoats the filter with the dirt and the flow slows.

 

[robl45]

Considering it just rains all the time here now its hard to do a lot , but I changed the speed from 3450 to 2700 and let it run for about an hour and the laminars seemed to stay the same. I will try again without the filter and the higher speed when I have a moment.