Some background - 24,500 gal 40 year old in-ground pool. About 3 years ago part of pump system developed a crack/leak. Had to replace all including basket. Had a 1 hp single speed "forever"; bought a Pentair 1.5 variable. That's when my problems began! I considered a 3 hp, but read that cannot use with my 1.5" piping (= mistake). I learned fairly quickly that once my Nautilus 48 DE filter started to get a bit dirty, the pool filter pressure would rise and my Polaris 360 would slow down and water circulation would drop so much that i couldn't keep my pool clean. In the past, I would only have to clean the DE twice or so a year. No more. Now its doubled. I later learned what a med-head and a hi-head pump is. I've done nothing but struggle with this pump since then. It has no oomph, and Pentair is of no help; the dealer has closed long ago.
My problem is that it's gotten much worse!!! I've been having an associated issue for months. What happens is that I clean the filter and set my Polaris pressure at about 53 lbs. After a few days of running the pump a few hours a day. the water pressure on my 360 drops to below 40 lbs. I cleaned the filter, shocked w/3 gal on Saturday, June 29. Today is Wednesday the 3rd. (I had cleaned it two weeks before on 6-16). I went out and the sweep gauge was on close to zero I opened the Ortega diverter valve all the way; very little change. I turned off the pump. Did some other things for 20-30 minutes. Went back, turned on the pump, the gauge went up to almost 70 lbs. I halfway expected this; happens all the time, more so the past several months. But then, in 5 or 10 minutes, it starts dropping again. went down to about 55. One hour later, down to below 40 lbs. Tank pressure at about 16-17 lbs.
In most past years, when pool started looking green, tank at 20-24lb, I would clean the filter with hose. Reassemble, prime tank, gauge would read 8-9 lbs. add DE to skimmer, 9 lb. Turn on sweep. Diverter valve from 12:00 to about 8:30 to 9 (6=wide open); tank pressure = 11 when first cleaned.
What have I tried? I had to replace the Ortega diverter valve last year. I thought I was getting OEM. It wasn't. After a few tries, I was able to use outside cover only and make it work. Not the problem. I noticed the sweep hose metal screen clogged up a couple times. A tear in the filter grid? Couldn't find one. No. Not the problem. I have noticed sometimes, a lot of DE on the bottom of the tank. I've tried 8 and 7 lbs. I have noticed like fine sand laying on the steps. Its been in the pool for months, or more. Can't seem to get it all out
I don't understand. Water comes out of the tank to a tee (which has a diverter valve) goes to the pool outlets and the sweep. Why does sweep water pressure drop .to almost nothing when the tank pressure isn't that high? The pool is green, but not that bad. I've always been able to clear it up. Not lately.
My problem is that it's gotten much worse!!! I've been having an associated issue for months. What happens is that I clean the filter and set my Polaris pressure at about 53 lbs. After a few days of running the pump a few hours a day. the water pressure on my 360 drops to below 40 lbs. I cleaned the filter, shocked w/3 gal on Saturday, June 29. Today is Wednesday the 3rd. (I had cleaned it two weeks before on 6-16). I went out and the sweep gauge was on close to zero I opened the Ortega diverter valve all the way; very little change. I turned off the pump. Did some other things for 20-30 minutes. Went back, turned on the pump, the gauge went up to almost 70 lbs. I halfway expected this; happens all the time, more so the past several months. But then, in 5 or 10 minutes, it starts dropping again. went down to about 55. One hour later, down to below 40 lbs. Tank pressure at about 16-17 lbs.
In most past years, when pool started looking green, tank at 20-24lb, I would clean the filter with hose. Reassemble, prime tank, gauge would read 8-9 lbs. add DE to skimmer, 9 lb. Turn on sweep. Diverter valve from 12:00 to about 8:30 to 9 (6=wide open); tank pressure = 11 when first cleaned.
What have I tried? I had to replace the Ortega diverter valve last year. I thought I was getting OEM. It wasn't. After a few tries, I was able to use outside cover only and make it work. Not the problem. I noticed the sweep hose metal screen clogged up a couple times. A tear in the filter grid? Couldn't find one. No. Not the problem. I have noticed sometimes, a lot of DE on the bottom of the tank. I've tried 8 and 7 lbs. I have noticed like fine sand laying on the steps. Its been in the pool for months, or more. Can't seem to get it all out
I don't understand. Water comes out of the tank to a tee (which has a diverter valve) goes to the pool outlets and the sweep. Why does sweep water pressure drop .to almost nothing when the tank pressure isn't that high? The pool is green, but not that bad. I've always been able to clear it up. Not lately.
You are investing a lot of time and attention to the mechanical aspects of your water flow issues, and perhaps it is something mechanically related. But I would first encourage you to post a full set of water test results because we have found that in many cases, an excessive organic matter load in the water/filter can drastically effect the performance of your equipment.
