No Pressure on DE Filter / No Suction on Spa Skimmer

[NeilH]

Hi,

New pool owner here trying to find some help with pool problems.

The other day I noticed that the pressure gauge on the DE filter was zero. Other than that everything seemed to be working fine. Had good suction on the skimmers and good pressure on the returns. I removed the filter basket and there were no obstructions to the pump. I could not remove the pump from the housing to check for debris because the installers put conduit right up against the pack of the pump . I also drained the DE tank and took off the cover. The DE screens are dark gray. Does this mean we need to backwash and then clean the DE filters? I called a local pool shop and they said it could just be a bad gauge.

Yesterday, when putting the system into Spa mode, the returns turn on for the spa but there is no suction in the spa skimmer. This caused the spa to overflow. What could cause this and is there anything I can do to fix it on my own? I'm thinking an obstruction somewhere in the line but don't know how to address it.

Could the problem with the pressure on the DE filter be related to the lack of suction in the spa skimmer?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Richard320]

Assuming you see good flow when it's in pool mode, I'd suspect your gauge is bad.

Lack of suction in spa mode tells me there's a valve that needs to be opened. If they're manual valves, you forgot. If they are automatic, then you have a bad actuator or control circuit somewhere.

Got any more information or pictures of the plumbing setup?

 

[NeilH]

I have uploaded some images of my setup. Not sure how it is usually done, but here are the links.
http://imgur.com/FfFVa shows the valves. From left to right they are labeled:
Pool Main Drain
Water Feature
Spa Main Drain
Skimmer (most likely for the spa)
Skimmer (most likely pool #1)
Skimmer (most likely pool #2)

http://imgur.com/caT1L shows the DE Filter and the multi port valve for Filter, Backwash, etc. To the right of the that is the actuator controlled valve that turns when Spa Mode is activated.

http://imgur.com/xx95x shows the heater.

 

[Richard320]

If those valves are in the same position they were, you have the spa and one skimmer blocked, the valve with the actuator right at the pump looks to have that leg closed.

If it's automatic, there is a way to manually move the valve. I hunted it down a while ago, might take a while to find the link again, but essentially it was push down or pull up on the handle to disengage the motor drive, then turn the handle to whatever position.

Link: https://shop.solardirect.com/pdf/pool-h ... manual.pdf page 5 tells how

 

[NeilH]

Thank you very much! The problem has been fixed. When I was working on the filter pump yesterday, I left the valve actuator switch in the OFF position instead of switching it back. When Spa Mode was activated, the valve couldn't move resulting in no suction at the skimmer.

Now to learn how to remove the DE filters, clean them, and backwash.

Have a great Labor Day!