Going crazy with my Intex SWG and low pump volume

[miketew]

Hey there. I just got my pool setup (each component listed below and putting it in my signature soon) and cannot get the SWG to operate properly.

I keep getting error 90 low flow. I found some suggestions to tip it backwards or forwards to help with air bubbles. If I tip it in a weird way the alarm won't go off, and I see what looks like functioning generation happening, but it eventually stops working again, and I don't think my pool is receiving any flow from it at all.

I don't seem to have any leaks, from what I can tell the sand filter is configured and working properly (when I turn it off and on, I can see lots of pressure in the tubes) and it is cycling water in the tank. Everything appears "clean" and water is being sent to the SWG. However, the SWG doesn't seem to be doing anything from what I can tell.

I'm posting the pictures of my setup, maybe someone will see something I did that is obviously stupid. Also, should the output from the SWG back into the pool be above the water line, below the water line, or is it irrelevant? The first picture shows how the SWG is tilted and in that manner it usually doesn't give me the low volume error. Although I think it eventually did on me last night again.



Intex Ultra Frame 14 ft x 42 in Round Pool Set with 1,000 Gal Filter Pump (not using the stock filter) [purchased new]
Intex CS8110 Krystal Clear Saltwater Chlorine Generator [purchased off Craigslist, supposed to be fully functional]
Intex Sand Filter (I need to find the exact model when I get home again) [purchased off Craigslist, supposed to be fully functional]
2 of INTEX 1.25" to 1.5" Type B Hose Adapters for Pumps & Saltwater System [purchased new]

 

[LFrankow]

Put the swg downstream of the sand filter, it should be the last appliance inline before water re enters the pool. Oh and I think you have the flow going the wrong way through the SWG if I remember correctly the flow valve should be on the upstream side of the plates.
My returns are below waterline.

 

[miketew]

Thanks for the quick reply!

It is the last appliance before the water goes in (water is going from pool to sand filter to SWG back to pool) and at least based on the arrows and I'm pretty sure I checked the manual a couple times the SWG should be configured in/out properly.

I couldn't tell if being below waterline helps keep the system pressurized (of sorts) and it needs that pressure to work, or if maybe it needs to be ABOVE the water line, because water flowing downwards off the pool actually causes an issue.

 

[LFrankow]

Well every pool pump I have had has the water coming in the side into the skimmer basket then out the top to the sand filter, then through a swg or directly back to the pool. If the incoming water doesn't enter the basket of the skimmer, it will just use the outside of the basket to filter junk out, making it harder to clean out said junk.

 

[miketew]

Yeah based on the video here KRYSTAL CLEAR SALTWATER SYSTEM CS8110 CS8220 - YouTube it looks like I have the connections in the right direction.

I do have some air release valves (well, one on the re-enter side) that I think might be closed. I don't know if my reading comprehension has become completely terrible, but I don't see anything in the manual about some of this stuff.

Now THIS is helpful - it looks like maybe the sand filter stuff is WRONG! Apparently I have that backwards?! Maybe you meant the flow was wrong on the filter side, not the SWG side
INTEX POOL - EASY UPGRADE- SAND FILTER - SALTWATER SYSTEM - YouTube

 

[LFrankow]

The water should go into the pump via the front/lower opening as the rotation of the motor will push it out of the top opening.
To determine water direction flow look at your flow valve on the SWG it will drift with the flow with the pump running.
*edit* the flow goes to the lower opening of the pump, out the top to the sand filter inlet, then out of the sand filter you go to the SWG then to the pool

 

[miketew]

Well, now I have a very strong flow going into my pool! Yes! It was the sand filter stuff I had wrong. I got it already assembled so I kinda skipped a bunch of the manual and I saw "IN" and "OUT" and it seemed to make sense. But it was the basically backwards. Whoops.

SWG isn't complaining at all now - not low salt or high salt. Very strong flow coming out into the pool.

Now I just need good test strips and to make sure the chemicals are balanced. The local pool store was out of salt testers, but she said a normal spa testing strip kit should work just as well.

But it doesn't say it's compatible with salt water generators and mentions hot tubs only not pools. I'm happy to order something off Amazon just need to know what best to order.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Now i can see why you had it backwards. Please dont skip instruction manuals and Poolschool at the top. This will make you understand fully the ways of TFP pool maintenance, which the first commandment is to have a proper test kit. Order a TFT-100 or a Taylor k-2006C. Do not relay on poolstore testing or Guess strips. For now just add regular bleach like half a gallon to up your FC. You can also use poolmath above to calculate how much Cya you need according to your pool size. If you dont add CYA your SWG chlorine will be burned off by sunlight and leave you with 0 FC.

Felipe

 

[miketew]

Yeah like I said I got those pieces already assembled... so I was able to skip some of the manual. But he had disconnected them before putting in my car.

Anyway - those kits seem pretty spendy and excessive for what is likely to be a 3 month pool season at the most. Probably 2 months at this point.

 

[LFrankow]

Anyway - those kits seem pretty spendy and excessive for what is likely to be a 3 month pool season at the most. Probably 2 months at this point.

Well maybe you will get lucky and fudge your way through, my guess is you are probably going to show up here in about two weeks, asking how to filter "The Cloud" out of your pool. Essentially turning your last two months of pool time into 2 weeks of swimming and 6 weeks of walking around muttering.
You should read this article a few times though

Pool School - Water Balance for SWGs

You can get pretty close with salt and cya additions just by keeping track of what you add via the PoolMath link above. Salt test strips I forget which ones I used to use, I mainly go by the lcd readout of my SWG because if it says it is high enough the unit will work.