We’ve recently moved into a house with a large inground pool and attached spa. I am very lost on the correct position of the valves or how to use the booster pump. After priming and running the pump, the spa was losing water which I assume was due to the valves. All lines look to have been marked at one point but “skimmer” is all that is still visible. I also am not real sure on using the automation box for pool vs spa use. I would greatly appreciate all the help I can get.
New pool owner—need valve and spa help
- Thread starter pollardfamily10
- Start date
So I marked up what it appears to be but we can work through it.
On top right is the Return pipe. The pipe on far right goes to the pool. Also, the flexible line to the suction side of the booster pump connects to the pool return because it should only run when the pool pump is on and in Pool Mode.
The left side is the return to the spa. The black fixture close to the ground is a check valve which keeps the spa from from back through the plumbing. The Diverter valve between the 2 pipes is OPEN to both pipes. So flow is going to both the pool and the spa. If you rotate the handle 90 degrees such that the word CLOSED is facling to the left, the SPA return will be shut off and all flow only goes to the pool.
If you then rotate the handle 180 degrees, it will open the spa pipe and close the pool and all flow will go to the spa.
On the suction side - the pipes at bottom of the photo, I am guessing you have 2 skimmers in the pool (please confirm). The valve between the 2 skimmer pipes controls how much suction from each. Right now, 1 skimmer is CLOSED and the other is open. If you rotate the valve 90 deg then both skimmer pipes will be open.
Next is the Main Drain. Right now that valve has the main drain CLOSED. If you rotate it 90 degrees then it will open to create suction from the main drain.
The pipe to the far left is the Spa suction coming from the floor drain in the spa. That 3-way valve between the spa suction and the Pool suction works just like discussed above on the return side. Right now the pump is sucking water from both the spa floor drain and the pool (Skimmer). If you rotate it 90 degrees with the word CLOSED facing the spa pipe then the suction is only from the pool. Rotate it 180 deg and then the suction is only from the spa.
There are 2 basic modes for the system called Pool Mode and Spa Mode
Pool Mode - is suction from the pool and return to the pool. So the 3-way valves have to have the word CLOSED facing the spa pipes.
Spa Mode - is just the opposite - suction is from the spa and return to the spa. So you would rotate both 3 way valves 180 deg (to have the word CLOSED) in front of the pool pipes.
You have a Jandy automation system which is supposed to control the 2 valves to automatically switch between Pool Mode and Spa Mode. However, I see one of the valve actuators sitting on the ground by the Return pipes 3-way valve. It has a wire connected to it. That actuator is suppose to be mounted on top of that 3-way valve. The wire connects to the automation to allow you to press a button that then commands the 2 valves to rotate. Do you have the other actuator for the suction side?
There is more to discuss but do not want to overload you. So review this, ask questions and we can address all the issues.
On top right is the Return pipe. The pipe on far right goes to the pool. Also, the flexible line to the suction side of the booster pump connects to the pool return because it should only run when the pool pump is on and in Pool Mode.
The left side is the return to the spa. The black fixture close to the ground is a check valve which keeps the spa from from back through the plumbing. The Diverter valve between the 2 pipes is OPEN to both pipes. So flow is going to both the pool and the spa. If you rotate the handle 90 degrees such that the word CLOSED is facling to the left, the SPA return will be shut off and all flow only goes to the pool.
If you then rotate the handle 180 degrees, it will open the spa pipe and close the pool and all flow will go to the spa.
On the suction side - the pipes at bottom of the photo, I am guessing you have 2 skimmers in the pool (please confirm). The valve between the 2 skimmer pipes controls how much suction from each. Right now, 1 skimmer is CLOSED and the other is open. If you rotate the valve 90 deg then both skimmer pipes will be open.
Next is the Main Drain. Right now that valve has the main drain CLOSED. If you rotate it 90 degrees then it will open to create suction from the main drain.
The pipe to the far left is the Spa suction coming from the floor drain in the spa. That 3-way valve between the spa suction and the Pool suction works just like discussed above on the return side. Right now the pump is sucking water from both the spa floor drain and the pool (Skimmer). If you rotate it 90 degrees with the word CLOSED facing the spa pipe then the suction is only from the pool. Rotate it 180 deg and then the suction is only from the spa.
There are 2 basic modes for the system called Pool Mode and Spa Mode
Pool Mode - is suction from the pool and return to the pool. So the 3-way valves have to have the word CLOSED facing the spa pipes.
Spa Mode - is just the opposite - suction is from the spa and return to the spa. So you would rotate both 3 way valves 180 deg (to have the word CLOSED) in front of the pool pipes.
You have a Jandy automation system which is supposed to control the 2 valves to automatically switch between Pool Mode and Spa Mode. However, I see one of the valve actuators sitting on the ground by the Return pipes 3-way valve. It has a wire connected to it. That actuator is suppose to be mounted on top of that 3-way valve. The wire connects to the automation to allow you to press a button that then commands the 2 valves to rotate. Do you have the other actuator for the suction side?
There is more to discuss but do not want to overload you. So review this, ask questions and we can address all the issues.
Im not sure why my response isn’t showing. We do have two akimmers by the pool and one by spa. There is another actuator but I don’t if either work.
We are still struggling. Neither pool skimmer is suctioning at all but spa skinmer is and it actually does so quickly and is then too low. The pump fills with air and stops. There is also a blue line attached to the top of the filter into a pipe that I’m not sure what it is. We’ve changed and checked o rings, cleaned the filter cartridges, and taken the pump somewhat apart to make sure it turns and has no debris.
Spa suction port should be completely closed during "pool" operation. The handle should point to the right while facing the pump.
This is the blue line that I’m unsure of the purpose. We have removed the chlorinator as the hose was brittle and completely fell apart. We’ve also bought a new pressure gauge since the old one was filled with water and didn’t seem to work but the new one just stays at 0.
Attachments
- May 3, 2014
- 62,857
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Likely to remove air from the filter. Where does the other end go. Should not be needed if equipment is properly maintained.
The picture showing the pipe is not the best but the other end goes into the pvc pipe that’s coming back into the filter
- May 3, 2014
- 62,857
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
OK -- Are you sure? Picture is fuzzy but it looks to be on the outlet side of the filter. Is it not?
That blue tube is connected to the PVC pipe that is leading to your Pool. See that it is right before the chlorinator.
It just appears to be a method to bleed air from the filter and push it back into the return plumbing. I have never seen that setup before but it is not harmful and should not be affecting anything.
In my earlier picture that was marked up. Look at the pipe marked Spa Drain. The valve next to that needs to be rotated 90degs clockwise so that the word "CLOSED" is facing the spa drain pipe. This will close off all suction from the spa and only allow suction from the pool skimmers.
Can you show a photo of your pool and also of your spa and try to show the skimmer for the spa. Does your spa have a bottom drain?
Herman's noted photo seems to me to be dead-on.
I'm noticing your return is completely shut in the photo. This will dam the pump's pressurized outflow (dead-heading) if it remains in that position when the system is on. This can cause damage quick, especially in an aged system.
Like, blow stuff apart damage.
Assuming your valves have remained in the photographed position, all that's happening is your spa is draining via the suction side out of its main drain and filling into the pool via the open pool skimmer. This transfer on the suction side is uniquely possible even when the filter pump is running, because of the deadheaded outflow.
*Note* what you're reffering to as a skimmer in your spa, I suspect is a spillway. This water is returning directly to your pool through an encapsulated pipe to your pool wall. I do not believe you would have a spa skimmer looking at your plumbing.
I'm noticing your return is completely shut in the photo. This will dam the pump's pressurized outflow (dead-heading) if it remains in that position when the system is on. This can cause damage quick, especially in an aged system.
Like, blow stuff apart damage.
Assuming your valves have remained in the photographed position, all that's happening is your spa is draining via the suction side out of its main drain and filling into the pool via the open pool skimmer. This transfer on the suction side is uniquely possible even when the filter pump is running, because of the deadheaded outflow.
*Note* what you're reffering to as a skimmer in your spa, I suspect is a spillway. This water is returning directly to your pool through an encapsulated pipe to your pool wall. I do not believe you would have a spa skimmer looking at your plumbing.
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There were (are?) devices, like ozonators, that used that as a pressure/water supply. What's on the other end?
This is also suctioning air when spa is in. Is that normal? So sorry, we know nothing and this pool has been a headache
The pipe with the U shape plumbing allows air to mix with your spa jets. It is supposed to do what it is doing. It is facing downward to prevent any rain or other debris to fall into the pipe.
Can you show a picture of your pool and spa?
We can help you overcome the pool being a headache and transition to an enjoyment. It just takes a little learning.
Can you show a picture of your pool and spa?
We can help you overcome the pool being a headache and transition to an enjoyment. It just takes a little learning.
Here are a couple pics. Spa is low since it was draining in the pic. Skimmer baskets are out so we can check for suction under
Good news. We’ve finally got pump going well and staying primed and was able to use the booster pump to get the Polaris vacuum going so now just working on figuring out what I’m doing wrong for only the spa skimmer to work and not the two on the pool
no pictures were posted of the pool and spa.
OP, you may have missed post #10. I do not believe you have a spa skimmer. This would be unusual given your plumbing.
There is a working skimmer attached to the side of the spa and two separate on the pool
There is also a spillway but also a skimmer
