To kick off my adventure in pool ownership I thought I'd start with something easy and replace the gauge on a Hayward 310T2 sand filter that always reads 0. I ordered one from TFtestkits with my TF100. I pulled the old gauge out and was happy to see the gauge mounts to a brass insert in the multiport valve. And then things took a turn for the worse.
The new gauge didn't fit, threads are too big. It appears TFtestkits got a gauge with 1/2" threads in a box marked 1/4". So I put the old gauge back in.
I took the opportunity to clean out the pump strainer basket. The basket is broken at the top. Add a that to the shopping list.
So now I know if have let air into the system. I read the filter manual and find the dire warnings about air trapped in the filter and "thou shalt use the air relief valve". The manual contains no information on the location or operation of an air relief valve. Do sand filters with top mount multiport valves have air relief valves? Do I need to do something to get the air out?
Instead of doing the smart thing and leaving the pump off until I found enlightenment on TFP I decided to set the multiport to rinse to try to blow the air out the waste pipe then I thought quickly pump off, change to filter and pump on. The first time I tried this water was still coming out the waste pipe. I rotated the multiport valve through a full circle and back to filter. At first I thought the plastic in the valve was crumbling but maybe its just dirty or sandy. Now water isn't coming out of waste and water is coming out of the returns so the pump isn't deadheaded. I don't know if I am filtering.
When I checked the returns I found the hose for the MX8 sucking air where it couple to the leaf canister.
Its fun when you can hear the pool sucking money out of your wallet. Any hints for a quick fix or is it robot time?
The multiport valve needs to come off so I can check/deep clean the sand filter. Do I attempt a rebuild on a 5 year old valve I don't know the history of or just buy a new one because I'd be buying most of the parts anyway in order to guarantee I can put it together when I am done?
The new gauge didn't fit, threads are too big. It appears TFtestkits got a gauge with 1/2" threads in a box marked 1/4". So I put the old gauge back in.
I took the opportunity to clean out the pump strainer basket. The basket is broken at the top. Add a that to the shopping list.
So now I know if have let air into the system. I read the filter manual and find the dire warnings about air trapped in the filter and "thou shalt use the air relief valve". The manual contains no information on the location or operation of an air relief valve. Do sand filters with top mount multiport valves have air relief valves? Do I need to do something to get the air out?
Instead of doing the smart thing and leaving the pump off until I found enlightenment on TFP I decided to set the multiport to rinse to try to blow the air out the waste pipe then I thought quickly pump off, change to filter and pump on. The first time I tried this water was still coming out the waste pipe. I rotated the multiport valve through a full circle and back to filter. At first I thought the plastic in the valve was crumbling but maybe its just dirty or sandy. Now water isn't coming out of waste and water is coming out of the returns so the pump isn't deadheaded. I don't know if I am filtering.
When I checked the returns I found the hose for the MX8 sucking air where it couple to the leaf canister.
Its fun when you can hear the pool sucking money out of your wallet. Any hints for a quick fix or is it robot time?The multiport valve needs to come off so I can check/deep clean the sand filter. Do I attempt a rebuild on a 5 year old valve I don't know the history of or just buy a new one because I'd be buying most of the parts anyway in order to guarantee I can put it together when I am done?
