No flow failure out of box

JoonasD

Active member
Jul 10, 2020
37
Tampa, Florida
Hey,

I jumped on the Amazon $900 deal on Hayward SWG. I finally got it installed professionally, I installed a heat pump and the company agreed to install the salt gen with no additional cost, with caveat that they are not responsible of any defects on the SWG as I didn’t buy it from them. And of course the no flow led is solid from start. We did basic troubleshooting with the company, no success so basically I am on my own.

I called Hayward, they told me to schedule an appointment with their service provider. I emailed one and got a reply that while Hayward parts have a 1 year warranty, the labor charge is not covered and it’s $160. Is this true or is it what I get with buying from Amazon?
 
Are you sure you have enough flow for the SWCG? The heat pump will increase backpressure and thus lower flow at the same RPM. What VS pump do you have? Check the flow switch that it is installed correctly with correct alignment. How are you powering the SWCG and is it on a timer to remove power from it when the pump is off?

You can check your Hayward warranty on line. The major pool equipment companies are stingy with their warranty when you purchase their products from independent sellers.
 
Are you sure you have enough flow for the SWCG? The heat pump will increase backpressure and thus lower flow at the same RPM. What VS pump do you have? Check the flow switch that it is installed correctly with correct alignment. How are you powering the SWCG and is it on a timer to remove power from it when the pump is off?

You can check your Hayward warranty on line. The major pool equipment companies are stingy with their warranty when you purchase their products from independent sellers.
Even if I run it at 3450, which is the max, it is still solid red. It's aligned correctly, arrows are pointing to the direction of the flow. It is powered through the main board and controlled through a timer that is set from 10am-5pm. My VS is running currently from 7am-7pm. My VS is not the best, its V-green 165. Long story short, I had a Hayward single speed pump with shaft leak, while the pool guy was changing the seal, he screwed up and broke the motor. He replaced it with V-Green VS motor.
 
J,

Show us a couple of pics of your equipment pad, and tell us what VS pump you have, and what speed are you running???

Thanks,

Jim R.
See above for the VS pump and speeds info. I have the VS pump running at 2850 normally for 4 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening and 2100 in between, but the even when I run at override 3450, issue is the same.
6D0B5A2B-37A9-476A-833E-B4AF4509B437.jpeg
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
J,

Thanks for the pics... :thumleft:

If you have good solid flow out of your pool returns, then the flow switch or wiring has to be bad..

Before I spent $160 bucks, I would install a new flow switch and cable.

It can't be the cell itself, but I suppose it could be a problem with the SWCG controller.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Check to make sure that the cell isn't clogged with debris.

What is the filter pressure at full speed?
First at 2850, second at 3450. Clean the filter? Also regarding your phone plug, don’t have one handy, if I spend $5 and get one from HD, what you mean with twisting?

also not handy enough to check for debris, I would assume debris free as new plumbing and new unit.69A78D23-6115-40BB-A329-6C178613A5C9.jpeg748F4EDD-50B5-42E6-8DD9-9942124D0265.jpeg
 
If the old plug test works, the flow switch is probably defective. Just don't run the cell without a good flow switch.

You can also remove the flow switch, screw a 1/2" npt threaded plug into the hole, turn on the system and manually close the flow switch to see if it works.
 
The hardware store should have a plug and cord that you can use. The cord will have 2 or 4 wires. Just connect all wires together with a wire nut. That will simulate a closed flow switch.

Also get a 1/2" npt pipe plug for the other test.
 
The hardware store should have a plug and cord that you can use. The cord will have 2 or 4 wires. Just connect all wires together with a wire nut. That will simulate a closed flow switch.

Also get a 1/2" npt pipe plug for the other test.

This is the cheapest actually for telephone cable.

Commercial Electric 8 in. Telephone Line Cord, Gray-8IN LPP 4C GR - The Home Depot

I tried finding the 1/2" npt plug but I cant find one in HD. should I go and browse the plumbing section?

So the cable test would check if my board is the issue, plug test would let me check if the flow switch works, did I got it right?
 
Search for 1/2 pvc plug on Home Depot site. They have them. That cord will work.

Correct on the questions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JoonasD
Actually, since you have a VS pump, just turn the pump off at the pump control while leaving the box powered. Leave the box switch in the OFF position so that the cell doesn't generate with the pump off. Unscrew the flow switch and manually close it to see if the no flow goes away. You might have to temporarily move the box switch to the auto position, but only do it briefly.

Any hardware store will have a 1/2" PVC pipe thread plug if you want to do it with the pump on.

First, do the test cord. Cut the cord, strip back the wires to expose the copper and twist the copper together to simulate a closed switch.

 
Last edited:

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.