Best practices for backwashing with an Intelliflo VS

Kelly Gordon · May 31, 2017

The Intelliflo is new, so I'm still working out the kinks. When I wanted to backwash with my old single-speed pump, I just turned it off, QUICKLY turned the multiport to backwash, ran the backwash for a few minutes and then reverse the process.

Problem is, if I didn't move quickly enough, I could lose prime since our pump is so far above the pool.

So now, with the Intelliflo, there is more lag. I hit off, move the multiport and then hit start --- but it looks like it wants me to pick a speed? So I hit the speed. Then hit start. Wait a few seconds for the motor to get going. Meanwhile, my water is flowing downhill the whole time.

What's the FASTEST way to do this with an Intelliflo? And/or is it OK to shut a couple of my lines just before I turn the pump off so I don't have to move at breakneck speed?

Kelly

duraleigh · May 31, 2017

Well, I can't help with the intelliflo but I would fix the leaks in your system and your pump will stay primed all night.

SoCalGuy · May 31, 2017

duraleigh's right, the VERY FIRST issue you need to address is why the pump immediately loses prime when you shut it off. If that's been an ongoing problem, it could explain a lot of the issues you've been having with your equipment.

Even with equipment 15' above the water, the pump should prime within a couple of minutes at most. Water definitely shouldn't just drain right out of the basket when the pump shuts off.

You most likely have a check valve somewhere between your skimmer and the suction side of the pump. Is it working? It may have debris stuck in it. If you don't have one, you may need to install one. They're nothing special... just one-way flappers that keep water in the pipe from flowing back into the pool when there's no suction on the line.

Once that's resolved, backwashing should be a snap. Just open the backwash valve on the filter and hit the "Quick Clean" button on the pump. When you're finished hit stop. Boom, done.

Flying Tivo · May 31, 2017

If there is no leaks, then just add a check valve before the pump.

Felipe

duraleigh · May 31, 2017

If there is no leaks, then just add a check valve before the pump.

Well, not quite. If there are no leaks, the water won't drain back down and there is no need for a check valve.

Kelly Gordon · May 31, 2017

SoCalGuy said:
duraleigh's right, the VERY FIRST issue you need to address is why the pump immediately loses prime when you shut it off. If that's been an ongoing problem, it could explain a lot of the issues you've been having with your equipment.

Even with equipment 15' above the water, the pump should prime within a couple of minutes at most. Water definitely shouldn't just drain right out of the basket when the pump shuts off.

You most likely have a check valve somewhere between your skimmer and the suction side of the pump. Is it working? It may have debris stuck in it. If you don't have one, you may need to install one. They're nothing special... just one-way flappers that keep water in the pipe from flowing back into the pool when there's no suction on the line.

I do NOT have a check valve. I'm not even sure if there's room for one. I'll go take some pictures in a bit so y'all can see what's going on.

As for the the smaller concern about backwashing on the Intelliflo: I assume I need to turn the pump off, move my multiport to backwash, then hit Quick Clean on the pump? Do I decide when I am done backwashing still? Or does the pump have a timer? And at the end of that, do I hit power off, move the multiport back and then power it back on by hitting on? Or would I hit a speed button and then on? It seems like I hit the on button and the system just blinks at me until I choose what it should do. (Nothing is programed right now; I'm trying to get through the SLAM process before I do anything routine.)

SoCalGuy · May 31, 2017

Kelly Gordon said:
As for the the smaller concern about backwashing on the Intelliflo: I assume I need to turn the pump off, move my multiport to backwash, then hit Quick Clean on the pump? Do I decide when I am done backwashing still? Or does the pump have a timer? And at the end of that, do I hit power off, move the multiport back and then power it back on by hitting on? Or would I hit a speed button and then on? It seems like I hit the on button and the system just blinks at me until I choose what it should do. (Nothing is programed right now; I'm trying to get through the SLAM process before I do anything routine.)

You basically have it right. Backwashing isn't a timed operation, you decide when you're finished. Open the backwash port, start the pump (in your case hit "Quick Clean"), let the filter spew some sludge out for a minute until the water runs clean, stop the pump, close the port. Some people repeat it a couple of times. When you're finished backwashing, you can run the filter either by pushing the "Quick Clean" button again or one of the "Speed" buttons, then "On" while you add a little more DE to make up for what you just dumped out. When you're all done, hit "Off" - twice - and the pump will run whatever schedules you've programmed into it. Or hit any "Speed" button and run it manually. You can adjust any speed while the pump is running by using the up and down cursors.

There's a bit of a learning curve to programming the Intelliflo, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see it's really pretty simple... not much different from programming a thermostat or automatic sprinklers.