Hayward SP3202VSP - filter basket water level

[scottdog123]

Hi Everyone,

I just replaced my 2006 Jandy 1.5HP Stealth pump with a Hayward SP3202VSP pump.

I have a below ground 20K gallon pool and my pump and filter are considerably higher (about 15 feet).

So far, the Hayward pump has been doing a great job, but I noticed that after it runs for a long time (hours) that the water level on the filter basket goes down pretty far. Tonight it was at or just above the inlet side of the basket, the pump seems to be running fine, but concerned it will drop too far and loose it's prime. If I kick up the RPMs to 3400, within a minute or two it will clear out all the air in the basket. The other thing I tried is bypassing the filter (with a value I have) so I essentially remove the filters back presure, and it also quickly fills up the basket.

things I think are be contributing:
- 15' uphill journey of the water causes additional suction or work for the pump
- the filter is contributing to some back pressure (will clean it out tomorrow)

I have read on this forum that many others have similar behavior with VS pumps:
https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/62967-Yet-another-priming-issue-with-Hayward-EcoStar-3400VSP


If it never looses it's prime, is there any harm in running it like this?

thanks!

 

[cjpwalker]

My jandy 2hp ePump pump does the same thing. After reading post after post of old timers saying any air in the basket is a sign of a leak, I finally found a few that admitted the water level will drop in the basket of a VS pump. The most I've let mine run nonstop at low rpm (1750 is where I usually let it cruise) is a week while on vacation. I kick it up when adding bleach or vacuuming. It never dropped below the top of the inlet.

Mine only sits a couple of feet above the water level, though.

I'd say experiment with yours - let it run for several days and see if it finds a level that it will stay at with your given speed - I bet it will.