Low Pressure on Sand Filter

[Quant]

I had my pump off for about a week during storms. I try not to run the motor while it is raining. Turned it back on and I have low pressure. There is a lot of debris from the storm, mostly dead leaves but stayed low emptying all the baskets.

• I backwashed -- did not seem to help.
• Left it run overnight and it was about 5psi (normally 10psi after backwash) on the gauge, today it was at zero psi, emptied the screens, the pump basket was not packed but the screen had a lot of leaves and after cleaning it went up to 3psi.
• The aerator flow/squirt distance is about down to half and the backwash flow is also about half the distance, so I know it is not just the gauge. There is still enough flow to power the floor sweeper.
• Floor sweeper is not plugged, but I did not check the hose end to end. Though if it was plugged, it should just draw more from the skimmer.
• No obvious blockages, no excess air in the system from the intake/ suction side.
• Motor and pump do not sound different and the pump self-primes fast like normal after I empty the pump basket.

That last point leads me to believe there might be a blockage in the sand filter, but wouldn't the back wash clear that? I could see how a leaves getting in there might be a problem, but back washing should at least stir them up and change the pressure?

Thoughts?

Picture is the same pump, but it has a different 3rd party motor that has been working for 18 months.



Thank You,

 

[mas985]

When filters clog up, the filter pressure rises not falls so I don't think that is the problem.

However, with lower than normal filter pressure is usually a sign of a clog in the suction line, impeller inlet or the impeller itself.

An improvement in PSI when you cleaned the pump basket is again a sign of a suction side issue. Remove the pump basket and check the impeller inlet for any additional debris. You may need to remove the motor from the wet end housing to inspect the impeller for clogs.

 

[Quant]

When filters clog up, the filter pressure rises not falls so I don't think that is the problem.

However, with lower than normal filter pressure is usually a sign of a clog in the suction line, impeller inlet or the impeller itself.

An improvement in PSI when you cleaned the pump basket is again a sign of a suction side issue. Remove the pump basket and check the impeller inlet for any additional debris. You may need to remove the motor from the wet end housing to inspect the impeller for clogs.

Thank You,

I have a probe camera I will try to stick in there.

 

[sktn77a]

Do you have any air bubbles in the pump basket or returns?