Autopilot Dig 220 - Read Light - Purifier off Check Flow

[Amanda14]

Hi.

Completely befuddled. Baskets clean, pressure extremely strong at 28, checked union screen in autopilot and it's clean. Backwashed and hosed out grids. Removed Tri Sensor and no scale or build up. Did the rubber band test and the light when off when I replaced it with rubber band on it. That test is you take a rubber band and secure the paddle to the plastic piece behind it on the tri sensor. Took it off and have the red light again.

Any feedback? Really appreciated.

 

[ajw22]

Pressure at 28 is not good. That indicates your filter is dirty and need to be cleaned.

High pressure is bad, not strong. Low pressure is good and indicates little resistance through the filter.

The rubber band test forces the flow switch on. It showed your flow switch works.

Do you have a MPV on your filter?

Show us pictures of your equipment pad?

 

[ajw22]

Thanks for the answers. What is an MPV? Is that the valve? It's running at 28. I hit the grids with a hose today while in the filter and top off and thought that would do the trick. Not sure what else I can do. I loathe taking the grids out but sounds like I need to.

MPV Valves - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Yes, you need to clean your grids better.

DE Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Amanda14]

Thanks. I have had this pool for almost 30 years and I guess am lucky I have never had an issue. Yes I have a Hayward MPV and embarassingly, I never used the Rinse function. I backwashed today and ultimately the water runs clear and I dump 4 scoops of DE into the skimmer basket. Would putting the MPV to rinse help clean it further or do you think I need to bite the bullet, take out the grids and wash them out? Really appreciate this.

 

[ajw22]

Does your MPV have a RECIRCULATE setting?

If so, put it in RECIRCULATE and see if your Autopilot gets good flow and generates.

That will confirm you have a filter problem.

 

[Amanda14]

Will try tomorrow AM and send a pic of the pad. Thanks again.

 

[Amanda14]

Morning. And the saga continues. Backwashed/rinsed this AM (after last night hosing off grids while still in filter). Put to recirculate and still getting the red light flow message. Pic of pad also.

Thanks

 

[ajw22]

Then it is not a filter problem running on RECIRCULATE.

You either have a bad Trisensor or the check valve in the manifold, circled in red, failed and is bypassing water.

Talk to these guys and see if they have other ideas….

SaltPoolGuys.com: AutoPilot Pool Pilot Experts

An authorized AutoPilot Pool Pilot & AquaCal dealer featuring replacement cells, parts, complete systems & heat pumps. Offers nationwide shipping.

www.saltpoolguys.com

 

[Amanda14]

So funny. I have been. I really appreciate the guidance. Would that cause the pressure issues?

 

[ajw22]

Would that cause the pressure issues?

nope, it is after the filter where PSI is measured.

Does the PSI gauge go to 0 when the pump is off?

 

[ajw22]

What are the saltpoolguys saying about your problem?

 

[Amanda14]

Feels it could be the manifold since it's mechanical and the rubber band test worked it's not the tri sensor. Having company come out tomorrow to get to the bottom of it since the pressure is crazy and rather have the experts remedy it.

 

[Amanda14]

So the end of the chapter of this is that the pressure was indeed due to the grids in the filter. I replaced a few and pressure is better. The trisensor issue had a poor o ring so we replaced that, but it's leaking. I've had it since 2017 so I may replace the manifold and get a new sensor with it. Thank you again