Filter drain solution needed

Nochain

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2022
72
Arizona
Hi so I have a Pentair Clean and Clear cartridge filter that has a 1-1/2” drain plug at the bottom. I would like to not discharge all that saltwater in the area of the filter. Ideally I would like to convert the 1-1/2 inch plug into a drain line. I am therefore looking for an 1-1/2 inch O-ring male with either an elbow or threaded hole to put an elbow in. Then I can run a drain line with a ball valve.
Doing this would then allow me to rotate the filter since I would not have to have easy access to the drain plug in front.
Here’s what I am currently setting up.4A8A0D26-1047-4456-AF1F-635234113862.jpeg
 
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Why? I have never removed the drain plug from my cartridge filter. Just clean the filters and put them back. If you really want to remove the water, use a shop vac.
 
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Just one example..



Jim R.
 
Just one example..



Jim R.
Thanks I looked through a bunch of threads but all were about leaking drain plugs. Thanks I’ll read this one and see if I can find a solution.
 

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Well after reading several older thread on this I’ve come to a conclusion.
1. Lots of folks are interested in this.
2. The solutions are sctetchy at best. Using teflon tape instead of O-Rings. Using shark Bite and other lower pressure HW.
3. A solution still eludes me.

A 1.5” ORing adapter to pvc std. should be easy to find but it ain’t.
 
1). Verify an elbow will fit under the filter. I wanted to do the same with a similar filter and it didn't have the clearance.

2) use a brass male NPT fitting with teflon tape. If it's good enough for the pressure gauge pressurized whenever the pump runs, it's good enough for a waste drain. Once the filter is an outtie instead of an indie, use a threaded elbow and valve.

Your local plumbing supply probably has one with male on both ends but this one would work also

 
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1). Verify an elbow will fit under the filter. I wanted to do the same with a similar filter and it didn't have the clearance.

2) use a brass male NPT fitting with teflon tape. If it's good enough for the pressure gauge pressurized whenever the pump runs, it's good enough for an occasional 5 minute waste drain. Once the filter is an outtie instead of an indie, use a threaded elbow and valve.
Thanks you know we are talking about a 1.5 inch fitting right? Thats a big honking brass fitting thats not in standard box store.
Also the time under pressure is all the time the pump is on and the system is pressurized. It’s got to be 99.99% good or you’ll drain the pool as any typical drain plug failure.
Are you suggesting that a standard npt be used in the oring non nbt hole? Thats a tapered male into a straight female threaded hole. I don’t think thats goona work is it? Again this is a 15psi system….
 
I'm saying I would try it gently and make a judgement call as it was screwing in. :ROFLMAO:

What about a pump union and then use PVC ? You might run out of clearance tho

Judgement? Ask my wife about my judgment lol. I was thinking exactly the same thing a 1-1/2 union to pvc elbow. I just ordered one and we’ll see about clearance. If it works then this would be a solid solution. It will for sure be dependent on clearance!
 
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It’s typically done by screwing in a 1-1/2” X 3” long threaded nipple and you cut off one end of the threaded nipple pipe. Then you PVC glue a 90° street elbow onto the cut nipple and add a Hayward style ball valve (the kind that can be taken apart and serviced) to the end of the elbow. You can then add whatever plumbing you want on the discharge side of the ball valve.

There’s no elegant solution for this … it requires a little bit of A-Team/McGuyver hacking …
 
It’s typically done by screwing in a 1-1/2” X 3” long threaded nipple and you cut off one end of the threaded nipple pipe. Then you PVC glue a 90° street elbow onto the cut nipple and add a Hayward style ball valve (the kind that can be taken apart and serviced) to the end of the elbow. You can then add whatever plumbing you want on the discharge side of the ball valve.

There’s no elegant solution for this … it requires a little bit of A-Team/McGuyver hacking …
Yes seems simple but how do you seal that nipple? A straight pipe where the plug with an O-Ring are not equivalent seals. Nor do they have the same seal under pressure. A straight pipe would depend on the threads and sealant for a seal. I wouldn’t trust that to a long term full time pressurized vessel. Would you?
 
Yes seems simple but how do you seal that nipple? A straight pipe where the plug with an O-Ring are not equivalent seals. Nor do they have the same seal under pressure. A straight pipe would depend on the threads and sealant for a seal. I wouldn’t trust that to a long term full time pressurized vessel. Would you?

You use Teflon tape and Teflon thread sealant (tape first and then a thin layer of sealant). It will hold up fine. My outdoor spigots are threaded on to pipe nipples using that exact same approach and they hold off 65 psi water pressure without ever leaking. Your pool filter maybe reaches 20 psi at most. Most pool pumps on the suction and discharge side are connected to the wet end using threaded PVC pipe nipples with Teflon sealant. Works just fine. I would have no qualms with setting up a filter the way I described and, in fact, when my filter is replaced someday I will be doing exactly that.

The choice of a cap and o-ring is simply a matter of convenience by the manufacturer. Either method of sealing will work under the given operational conditions. There’s nothing more magical about using an o-ring.
 
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You use Teflon tape and Teflon thread sealant (tape first and then a thin layer of sealant). It will hold up fine. My outdoor spigots are threaded on to pipe nipples using that exact same approach and they hold off 65 psi water pressure without ever leaking. Your pool filter maybe reaches 20 psi at most. Most pool pumps on the suction and discharge side are connected to the wet end using threaded PVC pipe nipples with Teflon sealant. Works just fine. I would have no qualms with setting up a filter the way I described and, in fact, when my filter is replaced someday I will be doing exactly that.

The choice of a cap and o-ring is simply a matter of convenience by the manufacturer. Either method of sealing will work under the given operational conditions. There’s nothing more magical about using an o-ring.
Interesting thank you for your perspective and experience. I am always interested in learning something new. Experience is worthwhile in understanding.
 
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