Multicyclone head loss

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R

richdog22

0
Feb 13, 2010
16
Redlands, CA
I am in the process of upgrading and changing some of my pool equipment.
Changing from DE filter to Pentair Clean N Clear Plus 520 Efficient Filter.​
Install new Pentair VSF variable drive pump.​
Install Pentair Easy Touch 8 Automatic Control with Screenlogic and IC40 Intellichlor Salt System​
Install Waterco Ultra MC16 prefilter​

My question is regarding the Waterco Multicylcone. I would like to limit the number of times I would have to clean out filter. Does the head loss from adding the MC16 seriously diminish the efficiency of my new system? I dug around and found the head loss curve the MC16 and it appears to me after a little unit conversion that the Multicyclone adds a not insignificant amount of head loss to the system. I do live in Southern California with ridiculous electricity rates. Wind and sediment can also be an issue for me at certain times of the year as well. What say the experts around here?

I have added the head loss curve for the MC16 below. Added head loss curve for the cartridge filter as well for a reference.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Richard

MC16 hed loss curve.JPG
CCFilter Curve.JPG
 
My pool gets a LOT of blown in dirt, sand and leaves. I use a Maytronics Dolphin S200 and it massively reduced my need to backwash. It picks up EVERYTHING off the floor of the pool... most of it being dirt and sand. I now only do a full filter clean once a year and backwash twice between. You may want to stick with the DE filter and just go with that vortex pre-filter (save money, keep benefits of DE). Plus, you're likely to see better electric bills with the new VS pump. I'm curious to see if you end up liking the vortex pre-filter as it looks like a cool piece of gear.
 
Rich,

I believe that a pre-filter is just not needed..

I have the 520 and clean it twice a year.. I could go a whole year, but can't force myself to wait... :mrgreen:

The whole idea of having a VS pump is so that you can run slow and still move a lot of water.. I run 24/7 at about 1200 RPM, most of the time, for less than $20 bucks a month. Granted my rates are not the same as yours.. Just for reference, my filter pressure at 1200 RPM is 1 lb.

I suspect that your pre-filter won't work well at low RPMs...

What I recommend is that you leave plenty of space for a pre-filter, but not install one at first. Run without one for a year and see how you like it.. I doubt that you will ever install one.

I also use hairnets in my skimmers.. And of course, since I live in this Century, I have a Dolphin Robot

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Reactions: LiveHereNow
The cyclone has about the same head loss as the filter. However, it isn't a lot (13' @ 105 GPM). In decent 2" plumbing designs, a cartridge filter is about 1/8th of the total head loss. So you will be adding about 13% in head loss. How much energy it costs, depends on how the pump is being used. Extra head loss reduces power usage at the same RPM (~3%). However, it increases energy use at the same GPM (~12%).

But as was mentioned above, you really don't need the cyclone. I doubt you will need to clean it more than once per year. I have a 420 sq-ft filter, and I don't need to clean it even once a year. I could go several years between cleanings but I don't.
 
LiveHereNow said:
My pool gets a LOT of blown in dirt, sand and leaves. I use a Maytronics Dolphin S200 and it massively reduced my need to backwash. It picks up EVERYTHING off the floor of the pool... most of it being dirt and sand. I now only do a full filter clean once a year and backwash twice between. You may want to stick with the DE filter and just go with that vortex pre-filter (save money, keep benefits of DE). Plus, you're likely to see better electric bills with the new VS pump. I'm curious to see if you end up liking the vortex pre-filter as it looks like a cool piece of gear.
Click to expand...
richdog22 said:
I am in the process of upgrading and changing some of my pool equipment.
Changing from DE filter to Pentair Clean N Clear Plus 520 Efficient Filter.​
Install new Pentair VSF variable drive pump.​
Install Pentair Easy Touch 8 Automatic Control with Screenlogic and IC40 Intellichlor Salt System​
Install Waterco Ultra MC16 prefilter​

My question is regarding the Waterco Multicylcone. I would like to limit the number of times I would have to clean out filter. Does the head loss from adding the MC16 seriously diminish the efficiency of my new system? I dug around and found the head loss curve the MC16 and it appears to me after a little unit conversion that the Multicyclone adds a not insignificant amount of head loss to the system. I do live in Southern California with ridiculous electricity rates. Wind and sediment can also be an issue for me at certain times of the year as well. What say the experts around here?

I have added the head loss curve for the MC16 below. Added head loss curve for the cartridge filter as well for a reference.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Richard

View attachment 147920
View attachment 147921
Click to expand...

I am in Ga and used the Multicyclone several years ago and it didn't catch a lot. I have had better luck using skimmer hair nets :)
 
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