Filter Pressures

[MrSethTaylor]

This is just a question for additional understanding. Reading around the internet in general if your pump pressure increases 10lbs time to clean or change. Also in general you shouldn't be above 30lbs. What none of the information I've run across discusses is that the pressure changes depending on pump speed.

If I run my pump at 1000rpm I get great filtration and almost no reading of any pressure on my filter. If I ramp it up to 3400rpm for quickly skimming the pool or for cleaning I get around 30lbs at the filter.

What is the rules of thumb for how and at what speed you should be basing these decisions such as clean filter pressure etc.

Thanks for helping with what seems like a silly question.

 

[Newdude]

Thanks for helping with what seems like a silly question.

You are here now. Throw away everything else because it's all blanket advice, and bad blanket advice at that.

We start with 25% psi increase, which will be specific to your system and RPMs of choice. My low RPM operating pressure is 3 or 4psi, the industry standard of +10 is ridiculous. Many can go longer than 25%, some need cleaning sooner, but start with 25% and monitor your flow.

With VS pumps we recommend using a high RPM baseline PSI after cleaning, then return to that speed when you wish to check. Mine for example is much easier to spot the difference of 18 to 22 PSI at prime / 3000 RPMs versus 3 to 3.75 PSI at 1500 RPMs.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Seth,

I have a large VS pump and a large cartridge filter. I clean my filter twice a year.. Once in the Spring and once in the Fall...It just makes no sense for me to follow the 25% or 10 lb. rules.

I run most of the time at about 1200 RPM and my filter pressure is about 1 lb. on a 30 lb. gauge.

I get wet when cleaning the cartridges, so I do it when it is warm enough to get wet.

I could not care less what my filter pressure is at 3450 RPM or even 3000 RPM. That is not where I run my pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.