Not enough water on spa jets

[Ti3155]

Here is my current flow rate

I am having a hard time understanding what you are writing

The check valve will not open all the way if the flow rate is too low. It will only open fully when the flow rate is very high. So if you see the check valve opening a little and it is fairly easy to open by hand, then it is likely working ok.

What could be wrong with the filter so maybe I can fix it , valve maybe ?
What is the flow rate when the suction valve is set for pool and return valve set for spa? 55GPM

 

[Ti3155]

The check valve will not open all the way if the flow rate is too low. It will only open fully when the flow rate is very high. So if you see the check valve opening a little and it is fairly easy to open by hand, then it is likely working ok.

Have you tried the bypass mode in the filter? This will tell you if the filter is the problem.

I am having a hard time understanding what you are writing.

What is the flow rate when the suction valve is set for pool and return valve set for spa?

Do you know in what flow rate the check valve will open all the way ?

 

[Ti3155]

So I checked all the ways and I hot confused by taking the pictures lol idk what is what

But I slso check the gpm on backwash it was 76GPM

all the rest has apx the same flow rate if I use spa/pool spillway modes , the psi was 32-37 on the pump and on the filter it was between 30-32

I did the bypass on the filter and it increase the flow to the spa was either 32 or 44 and pool was 61 I think , still not enough but as soon as it will stop raining I will go and do it again and write down the order so I can upload The pictures in order no matter what I did not see high flow except the backwash lol

 

[mas985]

What is the flow rate when the suction valve is set for pool and return valve set for spa? 55GPM

So this is ONLY spillover correct? No water going to the pool?

Do you know in what flow rate the check valve will open all the way ?

No but it is well over 75 GPM. I normally operate my pump at around 70 GPM and the check valve is about 1/2 way open.

But I slso check the gpm on backwash it was 76GPM

At what RPM?

I did the bypass on the filter and it increase the flow to the spa was either 32 or 44 and pool was 61 I think , still not enough but as soon as it will stop raining I will go and do it again and write down the order so I can upload The pictures in order no matter what I did not see high flow except the backwash lol

Ok so probably not the filter.

 

[Ti3155]

So this is ONLY spillover correct? No water going to the pool?


No but it is well over 75 GPM. I normally operate my pump at around 70 GPM and the check valve is about 1/2 way open.


At what RPM? 3450


Ok so probably not the filter.

 

[mas985]

What is the flow rate when the suction valve is set for pool and return valve set for spa? 55GPM

So this is ONLY spillover correct? No water going to the pool?

But I slso check the gpm on backwash it was 76GPM

That is a little low for backwash at full speed. Is the back wash pipe as shown in the picture with no flexible tubing? If so, it could be an issue with the backwash valve.

 

[Ti3155]

So this is ONLY spillover correct? No water going to the pool?




That is a little low for backwash at full speed. Is the back wash pipe as shown in the picture with no flexible tubing? If so, it could be an issue with the backwash valve.

I’m not sure what you’re asking ?
The backwash is the flexible blue line , I stretch it on the ground and the water simply goes to my back yard.
The max flow rate on the back wash is 75gpm , this was just an example so you know the gpm before it goes to the filter or the heater .

 

[Noreaster]

Also, can you post a picture of your backwash valve? curious what the part number is.

 

[mas985]

To summarize:

Pool Suction to Pool Return + Spa Return: 55 GPM
Pool Suction to Spa Return (NO pool return): ?? GPM <- What is this?
Spa Suction to Spa Return: 27 GPM

-----------------------------

Separately, the blue backwash line will add some head loss and reduce flow somewhat but 75 GPM is still a bit low for the backwash line and the Intelliflo at full speed. Should be closer to 100 GPM.

 

[Noreaster]

To summarize:

Pool Suction to Pool Return + Spa Return: 55 GPM
Pool Suction to Spa Return (NO pool return): ?? GPM <- What is this?
Spa Suction to Spa Return: 27 GPM

-----------------------------

Separately, the blue backwash line will add some head loss and reduce flow somewhat but 75 GPM is still a bit low for the backwash line and the Intelliflo at full speed. Should be closer to 100 GPM.

I'm wondering if they didn't use a high flow multiport. I and not super clear on all the scenarios, but if we tried using both pool and spa returns and still caped out at 55GPM, seems to indicate we have the issue at the equipment pad. Since the backwash and recirculate were also both low flow and high pressure - we are running out of options.

 

[Noreaster]

Pentair sand dollar filter specs:

 

[Ti3155]

Pool Suction to Spa Return (NO pool return): ?? GPM <- What is this? 34GPM

 

[mas985]

So that means that improving the spa suction line is not going to help much.

Based upon all of the measurements, I really thing the issue is that filter. You said performance was the same before the heater was added so that eliminates the heater.

Unfortunately Pentair does not publish head loss figures for that filter but I suspect it isn't very good. I think a filter/heater bypass would help considerably.

 

[Ti3155]

So that means that improving the spa suction line is not going to help much.

Based upon all of the measurements, I really thing the issue is that filter. You said performance was the same before the heater was added so that eliminates the heater.

Unfortunately Pentair does not publish head loss figures for that filter but I suspect it isn't very good. I think a filter/heater bypass would help considerably.

I see , could be I still have air leak ?
As I mentioned before I see bubbles on the pump sitting on the top and I see air coming out of the return lines as the pump starts then I see here and there some air shoot but not alot , very little

 

[Ti3155]

I'm wondering if they didn't use a high flow multiport. I and not super clear on all the scenarios, but if we tried using both pool and spa returns and still caped out at 55GPM, seems to indicate we have the issue at the equipment pad. Since the backwash and recirculate were also both low flow and high pressure - we are running out of options.

Thank you , do you think its the multi port ?
What is my options here ? replace it with ?
Thank you again.

 

[Noreaster]

Thank you , do you think its the multi port ?
What is my options here ? replace it with ?
Thank you again.

That comment you quoted was directed at @mas985 as i was curious of his opinion.
Your task was to provide a part number for your multi port valve so we were using facts and not guessing.

 

[jedigrover]

Just started going through this thread today. Not a pool pro, but I've replumbed everything not covered by concrete on my pool in the past. I use 2.5" into the pump and with a 2.6HP Whisperflo on high speed I get 110GPM. My filter is DE & I have a Jandy backwash valve that is high-flow.

My 1st thought reading all this (and still my thought) is that your primary issue is the sand filter. Sand filters support much lower max-designed flow rates than DE or Cartridge. Standard multiport valves further restrict the flow. They now make high-flow multiport valves. But your filter is awfully small, IMO.

I know it costs money, but if it were me, I would consider going to a cartridge filter. That is going to seriously support higher flow. I would skip a multiport valve (don't need it), but I would plumb in a couple of standard diverter valves such that you can get a drain/vac-to-waste function as well as a recirculate function. Those are both useful and it can be done with 2 diverter valves, which aren't going to appreciably affect your flow rate (and they are easier/cheaper to service than a multiport).

Just my $0.02.

 

[mas985]

I see , could be I still have air leak ?
As I mentioned before I see bubbles on the pump sitting on the top and I see air coming out of the return lines as the pump starts then I see here and there some air shoot but not alot , very little

Yes but it isn't likely to affect flow rate much. A few small bubbles at the top of the pump basket is not really an issue.

Replacing the filter will help some but the heater is still likely to still be a significant head loss component. If you want the best performance possible, the cheapest and most effective option is a bypass.