Flow problems
JasonLion said:
The pressure difference will be highest, and thus give the highest flow rates, if the two connections are both as close to the pump as is practical. Several inches of pipe either way won't make any noticeable difference but being on the far side of the filter will be detectably, but not seriously, worse than between the pump and the filter.
My Liquidator has been nothing but problems....hopefullly with some advice I can get it working well.
My pool: 27000 gal above ground, sand filter, powerflo matrix 1.5hp pump. Liquidator is below pool water level. The pump and filter are only 4-5' from the skimmer and return. No heater, no obstructions. The Liquidator is installed with the suction side line right before the elbow which turns into the pump intake. The Pressure side line is installed about 2' from the filter output.
I can't get enough vacuum on the suction side to overcome the check valve. I have removed the check valves, so I must cut flow completely whenever the pump is off to prevent overflow.
With the check valve removed I get enough suction to move to flow meter to where the center of the little ball floats between .75 and 1.5, and it varies within that range. This is not enough to chlorinate my pool, even running 24 hrs on high speed. (Forget the low speed, I get ZERO flow at low speed).
The flow meter will only move higher if there is a suction side obstruction, such as if the skimmer basket is full of leaves, or if I partially close a valve in the 1.5" skimmer line between the liquidator tubing and the skimmer to restrict water flow. My filter pressure is 12-18, depending on circumstances. (12 being just backwashed, 18 being with DE added to clarify pool)Changes in filter pressure do not seem to effect liquidator flow.
It seems you are suggesting that I relocate the pressure side line to between the pump and filter......I just don't understand why the "pressure differential" would make any difference, since the liquidator tank is not pressurized, and the float valve stops the pressure side line when the tank is full anyway, aren't the two flows (in and out of the liquidator) independent? My pressure side works just fine, the liquidator tank stays filled. The problem is no vacuum on the suction side.
Any help would be appreciated...and don't be afraid to get technical.....I majored in Chemical Engineering, but it was 25 years ago so my Fluid Dynamics is more than a biit rusty!