New build about 6m old. Have the Pentair VSF as our filter pump with Jandy automated valve and Pentair Easytouch controller. Filter Pump never loses prime when it turns on and off on its typical day to day schedule. If we use the spa at night the pump loses prime in the morning when it goes back to the pool mode. The jets have its own pump which never loses prime. Tested using the spa with the jets one night and without the jets the next night and the results are the same with the filter pump losing prime. Doesn't seem like its an air leak issue since it only loses prime when we use the spa. No idea where to start troubleshooting. Thanks for any help or ideas.
Filter pump loses prime only after using spa
- Thread starter delivery
- Start date
-
- Tags
- losing prime
Delivery,
Sorry to hear your troubles but in order to give us a better shot at helping you out you'd need to help us out first by filling in your signature and providing some good photography of the equipment pad from several angles so we can see what you're dealing with.
Sorry to hear your troubles but in order to give us a better shot at helping you out you'd need to help us out first by filling in your signature and providing some good photography of the equipment pad from several angles so we can see what you're dealing with.
D,
The number one cause of a Spa draining back into the pool, when the pump is off, is a bad Spa return check valve.
But that assumes the pool/spa was built right to begin with, and why we need to see several pics of your equipment pad.
Thanks,
Jim R.
The number one cause of a Spa draining back into the pool, when the pump is off, is a bad Spa return check valve.
But that assumes the pool/spa was built right to begin with, and why we need to see several pics of your equipment pad.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Added to my signature. Pics added.
edit: The spa level never drops at night either. When I put water back into the pump it stays there fine. After I prime it again I leave the filter purge valve open at the top and a ton of air it shoots out before water finally comes out. (not sure if this is normal or not. In the pics I attached there is a manual valve right before it goes to the pool. Not sure if that is in the right position? Also the manual valve going to the skimmer is off as I was playing around with that to see if that made a different which it did not. Water level in the pool is half way up the skimmer with an auto filler and is not clogged.
edit: The spa level never drops at night either. When I put water back into the pump it stays there fine. After I prime it again I leave the filter purge valve open at the top and a ton of air it shoots out before water finally comes out. (not sure if this is normal or not. In the pics I attached there is a manual valve right before it goes to the pool. Not sure if that is in the right position? Also the manual valve going to the skimmer is off as I was playing around with that to see if that made a different which it did not. Water level in the pool is half way up the skimmer with an auto filler and is not clogged.
Attachments
Last edited:
D,
I don't see anything obvious but have a couple of questions.
Is the pump basket empty in the morning before the pump first comes on? Or is the basket full, but quickly runs out of water when the pump comes on?
If you are in the spa mode, with things working, and then switch to the pool mode does the pump run out of water, or does the problem only show up if it sits overnight?
Thanks,
Jim R.
I don't see anything obvious but have a couple of questions.
Is the pump basket empty in the morning before the pump first comes on? Or is the basket full, but quickly runs out of water when the pump comes on?
If you are in the spa mode, with things working, and then switch to the pool mode does the pump run out of water, or does the problem only show up if it sits overnight?
Thanks,
Jim R.
Jim,
- Got it to lose prime so I could start fresh. Filled up the basket and the lines until it was completely full.
- Usually if I switch right away from spa mode to pool mode it will work fine in the morning but not always.
- It will always do it if I don't fill it back up on pool mode for a few minutes.
- The basket will have about 2 inches of water in it when it loses prime. When I twist off the pump cover water from the filter poors back into the basket.
D,
If this were my pool here is what I'd want to know..
Your actuators turn 180 degrees when switching between the pool and spa modes. The internal part of the valve that blocks one pipe and opens the other pipe, needs to rotate up as it moves between modes. If the valve itself rotates down, as it moves between modes, it will block the input to the pump. The pump will suck all the water out of the pipe and lose prime. At least temporarily.
I know manually you can move the valve to dead head the pump, but I am not sure if this can be done using the actuator or not, but I'd want to make sure this is not happening.
Just because the handle points the right way may not mean the internals of the valve are moving the right way.
Again, if my pool, I'd remove the actuator from the Intake valve and move it manually to confirm it is moving up between pipes and not down.
Thanks,
Jim R.
If this were my pool here is what I'd want to know..
Your actuators turn 180 degrees when switching between the pool and spa modes. The internal part of the valve that blocks one pipe and opens the other pipe, needs to rotate up as it moves between modes. If the valve itself rotates down, as it moves between modes, it will block the input to the pump. The pump will suck all the water out of the pipe and lose prime. At least temporarily.
I know manually you can move the valve to dead head the pump, but I am not sure if this can be done using the actuator or not, but I'd want to make sure this is not happening.
Just because the handle points the right way may not mean the internals of the valve are moving the right way.
Again, if my pool, I'd remove the actuator from the Intake valve and move it manually to confirm it is moving up between pipes and not down.
Thanks,
Jim R.
D,
Normally it does not matter, as the valve should never move to a position where the pump is not getting water or is deadheaded.
You can check the box and see what happens. It can't hurt anything.
How many valves do you have??? The two valves that switch between the Pool and Spa mode should be plugged into the Intake and Return connections on the main board, not connected to valve A and B connections.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Normally it does not matter, as the valve should never move to a position where the pump is not getting water or is deadheaded.
You can check the box and see what happens. It can't hurt anything.
How many valves do you have??? The two valves that switch between the Pool and Spa mode should be plugged into the Intake and Return connections on the main board, not connected to valve A and B connections.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Two automated valves that switch between pool/spa. In pool mode water goes into the pool AND the spa since we have a spillway.
manual valve to control flow skimmer/cleaner and drain
manual valve on the return to the pool. Not sure why this one is there? Its not fully closed or opened currently. (pic attached)
I will verify how the pumps are connected on the board when I get home.
manual valve to control flow skimmer/cleaner and drain
manual valve on the return to the pool. Not sure why this one is there? Its not fully closed or opened currently. (pic attached)
I will verify how the pumps are connected on the board when I get home.
Attachments
D,
Just to be clear.. The cable from the Intake actuator (in front of the pump) should be connected to the Intake port on the main board. The cable from the Return actuator (after the filter) should be connected to the Return port on the main board. Unless you have more actuators, nothing should be connected to the A and B connections.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Just to be clear.. The cable from the Intake actuator (in front of the pump) should be connected to the Intake port on the main board. The cable from the Return actuator (after the filter) should be connected to the Return port on the main board. Unless you have more actuators, nothing should be connected to the A and B connections.
Thanks,
Jim R.
They are connect to intake and return properly. Will work on your advise above and see how that works.
Everything is hooked up correct and functions properly in terms of valve movement and wiring. Appears to not just be during spa mode as I initially thought. Basket is near empty every morning now in the morning but the pump is able to prime itself after about 10 seconds. Pressure side leak ? I know how to check for suction side leak. How can you check for pressure side leak?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,672
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Typically a leak that allows air in but no water out occurs at the filter. Especially the air release / pressure gauge on your filter.
With the pump running and fully primed, turn the pump off. Listen for any sounds near the filter. Plug the air release outlet with your finger.