We are mostly done with our pool build. What I noticed is when I run the Pentair VSF pool pump at 1400 rpm's I will get air into the system because I see about 1-2 inches of air under the clear pump cover. I have to run the pump to 3000 rpm's to remove the air. I called the builder today to have them contact me and take a look. They spoke to my wife and told her it is because I have the rpm's to low and need to run it at 2600 rpms to so I do not get air into the system. The issue is he never called me to tell him that after a few hours of shutting off the pump I will loose water in the pump. The water feature pump is the same as the pool pump and it never lost any water inside. The lady who I spoke with was upset that he tech never called me as she instructed him to. If they tell me the same "Stuff", I will ask them to put that in writing. I know people here said they run 1200 rpm's 24/7 with no issue.
PB says I should run at 2600 RPM's
- Thread starter brentkhack
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You have a suction side air leak. Not much of one. Probably the pump lid or one of the drain plugs. Start by using Magic Lube on the pump lid gasket. That is the normal culprit.
VS pumps may build a bit of air under the lid if left at low rpms (1000 or so) for long periods of time. But it does not effect the operation of the pump and your water definitely should NOT drain out when the pump is off.
VS pumps may build a bit of air under the lid if left at low rpms (1000 or so) for long periods of time. But it does not effect the operation of the pump and your water definitely should NOT drain out when the pump is off.
Telling you to run at higher RPM is akin to taking your car to a mechanic about a knocking noise and having him tell you turn up the radio. Not a proper answer.
Seeing air inside the pump strainer basket on low speed is normal. Having water leak out because trapped air is expanding and pushing it out is not. Find and fix the air leak as Marty^^ said. I wouldn't count on the "technician" to be capable of doing it.
Seeing air inside the pump strainer basket on low speed is normal. Having water leak out because trapped air is expanding and pushing it out is not. Find and fix the air leak as Marty^^ said. I wouldn't count on the "technician" to be capable of doing it.
I have three settings for the rpm's on my pool. The default speed is 1200, 1750 for "low speed" and then 3000 for "high speed". If I leave it at 1200 maybe only half of the basket is full when running. I get nervous about that and tend to turn it up to 1400. I did get some pool lube over the weekend and cleaned off that pumps gasket and that didn't help at all. The other issue is 1750 when primed turns on my SWG, but when the level starts to lower I have to bump it up to over 1800 rpm's. I have noticed at least two return eyeballs that have bubbles that come out when running.
I get a a few bubbles of air in the lid of my pump when running at 1200 or so, it’s normal. Just make sure the pump basket isn’t emptying out when the pump is off. If it does, you have a leak somewhere.
SWGs also generate bubbles, so that could be what you are seeing enter your pool.
Air from a suction side leak will often just collect in the filter and not make it to the pool. Open the air relief valve on the top of the filter when the pump is running and see if air or water comes out.
Air from a suction side leak will often just collect in the filter and not make it to the pool. Open the air relief valve on the top of the filter when the pump is running and see if air or water comes out.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
brent - your VS pumps have unlimited rpm settings. You have an ET8. You have no 'default' settings. You can set it at whatever you want.
I don't want to take the chance of waiting to see how far it goes down at 1200 for an extended amount of time. I just deleted the pump schedule so now I have everything off. I want to see how far it goes down at when I get home.
I get a a few bubbles of air in the lid of my pump when running at 1200 or so, it’s normal. Just make sure the pump basket isn’t emptying out when the pump is off. If it does, you have a leak somewhere.
- - - Updated - - -
What I meant was my default speed is 1200 that I set up without me choosing low speed or high speed
Brent,
I would tell your PB what you want fixed is the problem of the water in the pump basket draining back into the pool when the pump is turned off... this is not an subjective "speed" issue, the fact that the water drains back can't be explained away with an excuse...
As the other have already said, a few bubble in the top of the pump lid is normal at 1200 rpm.
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
I would tell your PB what you want fixed is the problem of the water in the pump basket draining back into the pool when the pump is turned off... this is not an subjective "speed" issue, the fact that the water drains back can't be explained away with an excuse...
As the other have already said, a few bubble in the top of the pump lid is normal at 1200 rpm.
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
I would love to have only a few bubbles at that speed. I am only at half full or half empty depending on the person at that 1200 rpms.
- - - Updated - - -
I do this every time I am looking over things. I do get a second or two of air then water will come out.
The supervisor of our build called me and said the air is coming from the Pentair DE filter. So I should run at 2600 or maybe a little lower to keep air out of the system. The bubbles from the eyeballs are from the filter too. So they said this is normal and have had calls just like this before.
That is 100% Bull.
The filter is on the pressure side of the pump. If there is any leak at all in the filter, it's going to be water squirting out.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
So wrong. Why have a VS pump then? Should have just bought a single speed.
You have a suction side air leak.
You have a suction side air leak.
Every day I am amazed at the lack of knowledge and understanding in the pool builder industry 
I just sent in a warranty request to Pentair to see what their viewpoint on this is. Not happy.
What is the height of the equipment relative to the pool water surface?
At 1,400 rpm, what happens when you open the air relief on top of the filter?
Also, your signature says above ground pool?
At 1,400 rpm, what happens when you open the air relief on top of the filter?
Also, your signature says above ground pool?
Hard to say about height difference, but the equipment would be a few inches higher than waterline. At that speed air would rush out briefly then water. I have a below ground pool, thanks for picking up on that and i will fix when i get on a computer.
Brent,
Not sure if you saw my post #9 or not????
What did the PB say about why the water drained out of the pump basket with the pump off??? This has zero to do with pump speed...
Jim R.
Not sure if you saw my post #9 or not????
What did the PB say about why the water drained out of the pump basket with the pump off??? This has zero to do with pump speed...
Jim R.
LOL ... so air is magically getting into the filter from ... the filter? And then the air in the filter is allowing the pump to drain?
Air gets into a filter from a suction side leak ... period ... end of story.
Once the air is in the filter it is compressed, which can push some of the water backward when the pump turns off.
But in order for the pump (and filter?) to continue to drain water, more air must be able to get into the system.
Air gets into a filter from a suction side leak ... period ... end of story.
Once the air is in the filter it is compressed, which can push some of the water backward when the pump turns off.
But in order for the pump (and filter?) to continue to drain water, more air must be able to get into the system.