Pentair 011056 Pump priming higher than the set priming speed

[jesse-99]

One of my Pentair 011056 pumps which I just recently installed, replaced an older Jandy 1.65HP single speed pump. This pump handles one of my water features (beach jets/bubblers). In my iAqualink, VSP pump #4 is set to prime at 1750rpm (I've also tried priming speeds of 1000rpm, 1450 rpm, 1750rpm, 2450rpms, etc.) for *1* minute. But when the pump is turned on by iAqualink, the first 15-20 seconds or so, it seems to run at a full blast 3450rpms, because the water features gush about 12-15' high in into the air. After 20 seconds or so, the pump comes down to the priming speed that is actually set in the iAqualink for the remainder of that *1* minute. I can't seem to prevent this initial rpm surge when it's first tuned on. It wouldn't be a problem but, the beach jets/bubblers blast water out 12-15' high and it goes everywhere for those first 20 seconds or so before the RPMs come down to the actual set prime speed, and then after that full minute, down to the designated run speed (1450rpm).

Anyone ever see this condition? Not sure how to prevent it.

 

[MSchutzer]

Just a thought, is the motor wired to receive continuous AC power or is it wired though one of the switched relays?

It sort of sounds like the pump wakes up and runs at its own priming speed until the RS485 commands from the Aqualink system are understood. Once it boots and sees the Aqualink commands it drops to the speed set by the Aqualink command.

This might happen if the AC power to the motor is being switched as the motor essentially boots up every time the Aqualink system turns on the motor relay, and there’s a delay before the Rs485 commands are understood.

A VSP motor should be wired directly to its AC breaker so that it receives continuous power.

 

[jesse-99]

@MSchutzer --- You are correct, the pump is wired direct to the breaker, NOT to a relay. (that's how it's supposed to be). And yes, you are also correct that I think the pump wakes up, THEN realizes "oh I'm controlled by RS-485" so I need to back off my priming speed.

I wonder if I just disconnect the RS-485 cable , reboot the pump, and see if I can MANUALLY set a prime speed on the pump to 1750 or so? Then hook up the RS-485 again, and that MIGHT solve the issue?

Thanks for your input, I think you're spot on so far.

 

[MSchutzer]

One other question, I assume that you went into the pumps user interface and set that pumps address to 4?

When the pump is not running but connected to the RS485 does the user interface show the “Not Active” message (or words to that effect)? Even when the pump is off the Aqualink system is still polling the motor status and those RS485 commands should keep the “not Active” message displayed on the pumps user display. If you don’t see that message on the pump display when it’s off there‘s something going on with RS485 to pump communication.

And lastly which intelliflo pump did you set up in the Aqualink system? You want to select Intelliflow VS and not the intelliflo VF selection.

Your idea about changing the priming speed on the pumps interface to something slower is a good idea if everything else looks like it’s configured right.

 

[jesse-99]

Correct, each pump has a different address. This pump in particular is address #4. Yes I believe the display always shows "Not Active" except for when I first turn the breaker on after its been off. If the breaker is off, I think turning it on takes about 10 seconds or so for it to say "Not Active" but I'd have to double check that and verify.

Yep, all 4 of my Pentairs are selected as VS and not VF pumps. I will check into changing the priming speed on the display tomorrow sometime when I have a chance to disconnect the RS 485. Will report back when I had a chance to check this.

 

[1poolman1]

One of my Pentair 011056 pumps which I just recently installed, replaced an older Jandy 1.65HP single speed pump. This pump handles one of my water features (beach jets/bubblers). In my iAqualink, VSP pump #4 is set to prime at 1750rpm (I've also tried priming speeds of 1000rpm, 1450 rpm, 1750rpm, 2450rpms, etc.) for *1* minute. But when the pump is turned on by iAqualink, the first 15-20 seconds or so, it seems to run at a full blast 3450rpms, because the water features gush about 12-15' high in into the air. After 20 seconds or so, the pump comes down to the priming speed that is actually set in the iAqualink for the remainder of that *1* minute. I can't seem to prevent this initial rpm surge when it's first tuned on. It wouldn't be a problem but, the beach jets/bubblers blast water out 12-15' high and it goes everywhere for those first 20 seconds or so before the RPMs come down to the actual set prime speed, and then after that full minute, down to the designated run speed (1450rpm).

Anyone ever see this condition? Not sure how to prevent it.

VSP have an initial high-speed surge to quickly evacuate the water in the pump pot. That creates the area of low pressure that will start the water moving in the plumbing. Have never seen any not do that. Then they do just what yours does, slow to the set priming speed. Starting at the speeds mentioned, except 2450, likely wouldn't do that.

 

[DavidArmenB]

VSP have an initial high-speed surge to quickly evacuate the water in the pump pot. That creates the area of low pressure that will start the water moving in the plumbing. Have never seen any not do that. Then they do just what yours does, slow to the set priming speed. Starting at the speeds mentioned, except 2450, likely wouldn't do that.

+1

No matter what priming speed you set on the pump or automation, the Intelliflo will surge to max speed for a bit before slowing to the priming speed for the length set. My 011056 IntelliFlo does the same exact thing.

Priming is disabled for my pump. I’ve never needed that particular feature.

 

[jesse-99]

Crud, so basically there's no way to prevent the beach jets from shooting up to 12-15' in the air for those first 15-20 seconds and stopping the pump from doing that surge?

 

[DavidArmenB]

Crud, so basically there's no way to prevent the beach jets from shooting up to 12-15' in the air for those first 15-20 seconds and stopping the pump from doing that surge?

Not unless the priming feature is disabled.
Priming should not be necessary unless the pump cover is removed or there is a suction side leak which constantly drains the pump basket when off.

For example, I can leave my pump off for days and the basket will remain full of water and it will start right up at any speed, even say 1200rpm, which is my default speed.

 

[jesse-99]

Hmm didn't realize I can disable the priming feature. I'll have to look in the manual for that.

 

[JamesW]

You can also set a top speed or a priming speed.

 

[jesse-99]

@EVERYONE ... Appreciate all the tips! I disconnected the RS-485 cable, went into the pump's control panel and turned off priming completely. Hooked back up my RS-485 cable, and now when I turn it on via the iAqualink it turns on to the priming speed as set in my iAqualink (1750rpms) and then comes down to 1450rpms after a minute. No more 12-15ft high water features blasting out of the beach area. Thanks for all the help!!

 

[DavidArmenB]

@EVERYONE ... Appreciate all the tips! I disconnected the RS-485 cable, went into the pump's control panel and turned off priming completely. Hooked back up my RS-485 cable, and now when I turn it on via the iAqualink it turns on to the priming speed as set in my iAqualink (1750rpms) and then comes down to 1450rpms after a minute. No more 12-15ft high water features blasting out of the beach area. Thanks for all the help!!

Awesome! It looks like the automation has its internal priming which just commands a certain speed from the pump. This way you can still have priming if you want without the surge associated with the pump’s internal priming feature.