CCP520 Reading 4 PSI at 58 GPM — Is That Normal?

[renanteperez]

Hi All,

I just had a new Pentair CCP520 cartridge filter installed today by a pool company. My IntelliFlo3 VSF pump is currently running at ~70% speed and showing 58 GPM, but the filter pressure gauge reads only 4 PSI.

• I already bled the air using the relief valve
• Everything else seems normal — good flow at the returns, no visible air in pump basket.
• The gauge is brand new and installed on the top of the filter.

I’ve seen some posts say “the lower the PSI the better,” but this feels too low for 58 GPM.

Is this normal for a brand-new CCP520, or should I assume the pressure gauge might be faulty?

Appreciate any insights from fellow pool owners.

Regards,
Renante

 

[ajw22]

You have no heater. 4 PSI can be normal.

What is your PSI at 100%?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Renante,

I have no heater and at 1200 rpm, my filter pressure is about 1 lb. on a 30 lb. gauge. (Note.. I don't know my GPM, and could not care less.. )

You are just making things harder on yourself.

Filter pressure shows how hard it is to push water through your filter, not how well your pump is running.

The real key is to just feel the pool returns.. Do you have plenty of water returning to your pool? I suspect that you do.

The whole point of having a VS pump is to run as slow as you can and still get the job done..

What specific reason are you running at 58 GPM?? Sounds like you might be worried about "turnovers" ???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a 3 hp Intelliflo3 or a 1.5 hp Intelliflo3?

A 3 hp pump would be at about 17 psi.

A 1.5 HP pump would be about 6.5 psi.




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[renanteperez]

You have no heater. 4 PSI can be normal.

What is your PSI at 100%?

Hi sir,
Yes, no heater. I will check later the PSI if I run the pump at 100% speed. I know that the PSI is 2 PSI at 50% speed with about 42 GPM. Thanks for the response.

 

[JamesW]

What is the power usage at those numbers?

How high is the pressure gauge above the pool water surface?

IntelliFlo3® Variable Speed & Flow Pool Pump

The award-winning, energy-efficient IntelliFlo3 VSF Pool Pump has a quiet design with sensorless flow control, app connectivity, and automation capability.

www.pentair.com

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/pumps/intelliflo3-vsf/manuals/install-guide/intelliflo3-pro3-vsf-install-guide.pdf

 

[renanteperez]

Do you have a 3 hp Intelliflo3 or a 1.5 hp Intelliflo3?

A 3 hp pump would be at about 17 psi.

A 1.5 HP pump would be about 6.5 psi.



View attachment 643903
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View attachment 643907

Hi James sir,
I do have 1.5 HP Intelliflo3. I asked the pool techs after they installed the filter and redo the piping and he said it's normal and the lower the better. It's just weird to me that only 2 PSI registers at 50% speed with 42GPM. Like you mentioned, I also expect around 5 to 10 PSI. Thanks sir for the response.

 

[ajw22]

2 PSI at 50% and 4 PSI at 70% says your PSI gauge is responding as expected.

As was said, the lower the PSI the better.

 

[JamesW]

If you count backwards from 10, the gauge actually shows 5 psi, which is pretty close to the expected 6 psi.

How high is the pressure gauge above the pool water surface?

 

[renanteperez]

Renante,

I have no heater and at 1200 rpm, my filter pressure is about 1 lb. on a 30 lb. gauge. (Note.. I don't know my GPM, and could not care less.. )

You are just making things harder on yourself.

Filter pressure shows how hard it is to push water through your filter, not how well your pump is running.

The real key is to just feel the pool returns.. Do you have plenty of water returning to your pool? I suspect that you do.

The whole point of having a VS pump is to run as slow as you can and still get the job done..

What specific reason are you running at 58 GPM?? Sounds like you might be worried about "turnovers" ???

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, I have three output jets, and they’re returning water very well—much better than the old 15-year-old DE filter. I'm currently running my variable speed pump at 50% (around 1,700 RPM), which is the same setting I used before switching to the new cartridge filter. I’m considering lowering it further to target around 28 GPM, since I’m running the pump 12 hours a day to achieve one full turnover daily for my 20,000-gallon pool.

And hey—I probably am making it harder on myself, but what’s a project without a little overthinking, right?

- Renante

 

[ajw22]

since I’m running the pump 12 hours a day to achieve one full turnover daily for my 20,000-gallon pool.

Why do you think turnover matters? It does not matter for any pool water quality.

Turnover of Pool Water - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

Affinity Laws for Pumps: Principles, Formulas & Calculator

Turbo machines affinity laws can be used to calculate volume capacity, head or power consumption in centrifugal pumps when changing speed or wheel diameters.

www.engineeringtoolbox.com

 

[renanteperez]

If you count backwards from 10, the gauge actually shows 5 psi, which is pretty close to the expected 6 psi.

How high is the pressure gauge above the pool water surface?

I'll make measurements when I get home.
The gauge is installed on top of the CCP520 filter (height is 56 inches), which is on a platform about 4 inches above the pool water surface. So that would be about 60 inches.

 

[JamesW]

I would expect 6 psi +/- 2 psi and you have 5 psi, so that indicates that everything is as expected.

 

[renanteperez]

Why do you think turnover matters? It does not matter for any pool water quality.

Turnover of Pool Water - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Hi ajw22,
I'm learning but I guess turnover directly relates to making sure your water is filtered and cleaned through your filter. Removing all dirt or contaminants, etc

 

[JamesW]

For a residential pool, turnover is really not important.

Make sure that the skimmers work and the SWG works and that is enough flow.

I would run 24/7 at the lowest possible speed that has good skimming and the SWG gets a good flow signal.

 

[proavia]

"Turn over" doesn't matter.

Set the pump for RPM and forget about percent and flow rate.
Try running the pump at 1200 rpm and enjoy the electric savings.

My pump runs 24/7 and uses less than $20/month of electricity. I run the pump at 1200 rpm for 20 hours and 2900 rpm for two 2 hour periods for my IFC). 1200 rpm in my pool is sufficient for skimming and SWG operation. I run 24/7 because I like to make a little chlorine all day.

Tell us a bit more about your pool by filling out your signature with info on your pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

 

[JamesW]

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[renanteperez]

"Turn over" doesn't matter.

Set the pump for RPM and forget about percent and flow rate.
Try running the pump at 1200 rpm and enjoy the electric savings.

My pump runs 24/7 and uses less than $20/month of electricity. I run the pump at 1200 rpm for 20 hours and 2900 rpm for two 2 hour periods for my IFC). 1200 rpm in my pool is sufficient for skimming and SWG operation. I run 24/7 because I like to make a little chlorine all day.

Tell us a bit more about your pool by filling out your signature with info on your pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

Hi proavia,
Fair point! I guess I’m still in my “overthink everything” phase. Love the 1200 RPM + <$20/month setup—might just copy your homework!

 

[renanteperez]

TFP is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is maintained by user donations.

The people who answer questions are volunteers.

If you find the site to be a good resource, please consider making a donation to help support the site.

Thanks.

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

Hi James and All,
Thanks for all the responses and the free education—I’m learning a ton! I went ahead and made some donations too… feeling generous and mildly loved today.