No Flow Detected Message on IC controller

[dave_gr]

Moved f rom HERE

Hi All --

First contribution to this forum, hope it's okay if I revive this thread.

I'm also receiving a persistent "No Flow Detected" message displayed on the IC controller screen. As a far as I can tell, it appears haphazardly, sometimes when the pump starts up, other times during it's run cycle (evening 2750 RPM's; afternoon 1500 RPM). The mesh basket located to the side of the flow unit is clear.

About an hour ago I opened up the valve to the Flow Cell (pictured). The IC unit began to shudder, and it sounded as if water inside the plumbing was bubbling. A flow was detected, and the bubbling eventually subsided. I turned the valve off and as of now, the system is still detecting a flow. What I found interesting is that even when the flow cell valve is open, very little water comes out. Being totally ignorant of how this thing works, I don't if that's expected behavior or not.

I'd very much appreciate it if someone could weigh in with how to troubleshoot this issue. Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

About an hour ago I opened up the valve to the Flow Cell (pictured).

Which valve among all the pictures you posted did you open?

What I found interesting is that even when the flow cell valve is open, very little water comes out. Being totally ignorant of how this thing works, I don't if that's expected behavior or not.

The black hoses connecting to your main pipes are small and I would not expect a lot of flow through them.

Have you disconnected the two black hoses and ran your pump and seen how much flow comes through? Disconnect them one at a time and put the end in a bucket.

 

[dave_gr]

Which valve among all the pictures you posted did you open?

The valve to the center cylinder labeled "Flow Cell." The ORP / PH sensor are located to it's right and left.

The black hoses connecting to your main pipes are small and I would not expect a lot of flow through them.

Have you disconnected the two black hoses and ran your pump and seen how much flow comes through? Disconnect them one at a time and put the end in a bucket.

Thanks for the suggestion, just tried this. Disconnected the tubes leading from the ORP and PH sensor from the PVC plumbing and fired up the pump. Water spurted from each of the injector openings in the PVC plumbing, but the flow pressure to the line that supplies water directly to the magnet(?) suspended in water was extremely weak. Here's a link to a video to illustrate. It certainly doesn't look strong enough to register as "flow."

That injector site is at the bottom of a long vertical plumbing run coming from the heater. Could that be what's causing the issue?

 

[ajw22]

I was thinking of disconnecting the other end of the tubes at the red circle and seeing what the flow is. I want to see if the black tube may be collapsed or kinked inside.

 

[dave_gr]

Got it. Disconnected the supply lines, started the pump and observed the flow coming out of the lines. Seems okay, although the pressure to the line feeding the pH sensor is much stronger than the pressure feeding the ORP sensor. Here's a link to a video: iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud

FYIY, the IC system is now detecting flow. But this is typical -- sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.

Just got a second opinion from a local pool professional who has taken over the warranty work for my system. He reached out to a Pentair rep, who thinks the flow switch is busted. According to him, my system was installed with a newer, redesigned switch which is known to have problems. To fix the issue, he's going to replace it with an older model. Does this sound right?

Also, any idea what the grinding noise is at the end of the video?

Thanks for the help!

 

[ajw22]

I have not heard about different flow switches in the IntelliChem but we don’t hear about many of them here.

Glad you got Pentair’s attention. Let us know about the new versus old flow switch and how things work out. This is the way we learn and are able to help others.

Will listen to your video later.

 

[dave_gr]

I have not heard about different flow switches in the IntelliChem but we don’t hear about many of them here.

Glad you got Pentair’s attention. Let us know about the new versus old flow switch and how things work out. This is the way we learn and are able to help others.

Will listen to your video later.

Will do. Thanks for your input. Much appreciated!