Having gathered many good ideas from this site on how to plumb my new pad equipment, I'm posting details on what I did that differs from what I've seen others do. Hope someone finds it useful.
Pentair CCP520 cartridge filter. There is a poorly positioned 1.5" drain plug on the front/bottom of this filter. It is in a tight space, so a 1.5" MIP elbow lacks clearance to turn. You need to reduce the hole to a size that will allow you to screw the elbow in (and then ensure that whatever you attach directly to that elbow is screwed on vs glued on so that you can disassemble it later). Also note that there are height clearance issues; I had to use two reducers, which added height, so I needed to mount the filter on top of a concrete block so that the unions and valves downstream could sit properly.
Others on the forum have used 3/4" PVC. I found that 1" also works and drains faster.
Notes:
- Filter has a 1.5" straight thread vs 1.5" MIP which has angled threads; be careful not to overtighten. I used PTFE pipe sealant throughout.
- I couldn't find a 1.5" to 1" reducer, so I've got 1.5":1.25" and 1.25":1" threaded reducers in a stack. YMMV.
- Next is a 1" elbow: MIP to FIP
- Then a 1" MIP to glue/slip coupling to a piece of PVC, then to the 1" union. This section can be removed/unscrewed from the drain assembly if need be.
- Next, I reused a 2" Pentair valve, then stepped up to 1.5" DWV on the non-pressure side of the valve (all non-pressurized sections of my drainage system here are DWV). This loops around to pick up the "vac to waste" bypass valve, then all that drains off to a convenient spot.
Strategic use of unions allows the pump and filter to be removed separately.
This filter requires no backwash or multiport valve, so being able to dump water via the bypass valve is handy. Also note that while the pump is running, you can crack the filter drain valve open to blow out debris.
Finally, you can see my take on a heater bypass valve. Two Jandy 2/2.5" 3 way valves side by side. Useful for many reasons. Also, I needed to create a loop for the new SWCG to be installed.
Side note: I salvaged the valves where the pipes come out of the ground. the old, glued on 2.5" PVC slip couplers can be removed by carefully sawing into the fitting, then applying heat and using pliers/screwdriver to peel off the fitting. Stick a piece of 2" PVC inside the valve while you are doing this to preserve the round shape of the valve!
Pentair CCP520 cartridge filter. There is a poorly positioned 1.5" drain plug on the front/bottom of this filter. It is in a tight space, so a 1.5" MIP elbow lacks clearance to turn. You need to reduce the hole to a size that will allow you to screw the elbow in (and then ensure that whatever you attach directly to that elbow is screwed on vs glued on so that you can disassemble it later). Also note that there are height clearance issues; I had to use two reducers, which added height, so I needed to mount the filter on top of a concrete block so that the unions and valves downstream could sit properly.
Others on the forum have used 3/4" PVC. I found that 1" also works and drains faster.
Notes:
- Filter has a 1.5" straight thread vs 1.5" MIP which has angled threads; be careful not to overtighten. I used PTFE pipe sealant throughout.
- I couldn't find a 1.5" to 1" reducer, so I've got 1.5":1.25" and 1.25":1" threaded reducers in a stack. YMMV.
- Next is a 1" elbow: MIP to FIP
- Then a 1" MIP to glue/slip coupling to a piece of PVC, then to the 1" union. This section can be removed/unscrewed from the drain assembly if need be.
- Next, I reused a 2" Pentair valve, then stepped up to 1.5" DWV on the non-pressure side of the valve (all non-pressurized sections of my drainage system here are DWV). This loops around to pick up the "vac to waste" bypass valve, then all that drains off to a convenient spot.
Strategic use of unions allows the pump and filter to be removed separately.
This filter requires no backwash or multiport valve, so being able to dump water via the bypass valve is handy. Also note that while the pump is running, you can crack the filter drain valve open to blow out debris.
Finally, you can see my take on a heater bypass valve. Two Jandy 2/2.5" 3 way valves side by side. Useful for many reasons. Also, I needed to create a loop for the new SWCG to be installed.
Side note: I salvaged the valves where the pipes come out of the ground. the old, glued on 2.5" PVC slip couplers can be removed by carefully sawing into the fitting, then applying heat and using pliers/screwdriver to peel off the fitting. Stick a piece of 2" PVC inside the valve while you are doing this to preserve the round shape of the valve!
