Hayward SP32950VSP Operating Normally?

[m1k_3]

Below is a video of this pump running at 55%. The top of the video is the suction side. The water level is basically at the top of the water intake pipe in the pump.

New video by Mike Major

Below is a video of the pump after it has been priming for a couple minutes.

New video by Mike Major

The water level in my pump never goes higher than the top of the strainer basket in the pump. After it is "primed" the water level slowly goes down to the water level in the first video. The PB is claiming it is working as expected. I have limited experience with pools but I was always under the impression that pump should run almost full of water. Maybe a bit lower if it running at slower RPM.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Richard320]

Low water on low speed is pretty normal. If you put it up on high for a few minutes, it should fill that pump basket. There might be a small bubble trapped at the top, but that's it.

Do you see air bubbles in the returns?
If you crack the air bleed on the filter while the pump is on, do you get air first? More than just a single "psst," I mean.

Either of those point to a suction side air leak.

 

[m1k_3]

I do see some small bubbles at the returns. At times there are more bubbles than others and I can visibly see them at the surface as well. I have a hayward S-244T sand filter. I don't think it has an air bleed.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

I don't have your specific pump, but I don't believe that what you show is normal at all..

When I run my IntelliFlo at 1200 RPM, I get one or two nickel sized bubbles.. There is zero sloshing around.

I assume 55% is closer to 2800 RPM which should have nothing but water..

I think your pool builder has no clue what he is talking about.

It appears to me that you have a small suction side air leak. Most likely the pump o-ring is not sealed or lubed or the small drain plugs are leaking..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[m1k_3]

I have lubed my o-ring. This is a brand new pump and first time being used this year. I checked the drain plugs and they seem fine. I have even run water over intake joints plugs and pump lid. No luck finding where the problem is.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

What kind of filter do you have? If you have a multiport valve, set it to recirculate and see what happens..

You can also shut the pump off and take out the pump basket.. feel up inside the pump and make sure there is nothing in the impeller area..

Do you have valves controlling the input to the pump? If so, try running on just the skimmer, or just one skimmer at a time, or just the main drain, and see if you see any difference..

What color is your water? Is it clear or cloudy?

When was the last time you cleaned the filter? What is the filter pressure at 55%?

The more info you can provide, the better our answers might be...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Richard320]

I have lubed my o-ring. This is a brand new pump and first time being used this year. I checked the drain plugs and they seem fine. I have even run water over intake joints plugs and pump lid. No luck finding where the problem is.

I do see some small bubbles at the returns. At times there are more bubbles than others and I can visibly see them at the surface as well. I have a hayward S-244T sand filter. I don't think it has an air bleed.

No, your filter doesn't have an air bleed since the return water leaves out the top. Your filter type and model should be in your signature. What we like to see is here: Read This BEFORE You Post - Trouble Free Pool

You can protest and deny things as much as you want, but you have a leak. You won't get air out of your system unless you're sucking air into your system. You need to find that leak. Could be as simple as a vortex in the skimmer caused by low water level or a stuck weir.

 

[m1k_3]

Mike,

What kind of filter do you have? If you have a multiport valve, set it to recirculate and see what happens..

You can also shut the pump off and take out the pump basket.. feel up inside the pump and make sure there is nothing in the impeller area..

Do you have valves controlling the input to the pump? If so, try running on just the skimmer, or just one skimmer at a time, or just the main drain, and see if you see any difference..

What color is your water? Is it clear or cloudy?

When was the last time you cleaned the filter? What is the filter pressure at 55%?

The more info you can provide, the better our answers might be...

Thanks,

Jim R.

I have a hayward S-244T sand filter. I tried setting to recirculate and the pump still does not fill when priming. It is set to a 3 minute prime cycle.

I have shut the pump off and cleaned out the pump basket but I have not felt inside the pump. I will try this today.

The only input to the pump I have is a single skimmer with a 2inch pipe going to the pump.

Water is clear.

This the first year I have ever had this pool up in running. It is a new install so the filter has never been clean. The filter pressure is around 10 when the pump is running 55%.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

I was just making sure the filter was not blocking the flow out of the pump.. If you have the same problem in recirculate, then the filter cannot be the issue. "Cleaned" might not have been the right word, if you have a sand filter, I should have said backwashed.

It still seems like a suction side leak to me..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[m1k_3]

Called Hayward support and the person I spoke to said it should be fine and its okay not to completely fill. I am at a loss. The heater is not complaining of flo issues. I guess I will leave as is and hope for the best.

 

[jimmythegreek]

This is a new pool install or just a new equipment install? If you have a SWG you will see some bubbles from returna when it's making chlorine but the pump should fill on prime like a normal pump. You gotta be careful with just a single input to pump mke sure your water level stays up to keep pump wet always. I agree you have a smal leak somewhere. Have him pressure test your skimmer line

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mike,

If you "called" me and said you had a few bubbles in your pump at low speed, I would also say that sounds about right... but, once I saw the video, I don't call that a few bubbles.. You should never have water slopping around like that when running... Did you show the last video to Hayward???

If nothing else, I recommend that you have your pool builder give you the names of other pool owners that have the same pump, so that you can arrange to see how their pumps work...

Thanks,

Jim R.