Plumbing

[Schnozz]

I've asked this before. I was waiting for my intex pump to give up the ghost before installing a new pump. Well, my pump is fine, but the 16" Intex Sand Filter finally croaked. I was installing a new pressure gauge and went too far, the 6-way valve is cracked at the gauge mount. Time to set up the Pentair I purchased a couple years ago. Will this work?

 

[Newdude]

It should work great. Is there even a need for the 3 way on the return side, or is it just to make it look evenly balanced ?

 

[Schnozz]

Thanks for the feedback. I was using a Return side Intex robot when I made the diagram. That may change.....

 

[Teald024]

Yeah, looks good. perhaps plumb in a waste valve between the pump and filter in case you want to drain some water.

 

[Schnozz]

Excellent Idea. Used to working with a 6-way Multi Valve on an Intex sand filter.....

 

[Newdude]

Vac to waste was my FAV. I would brush most of the pool to one small area and suck it right out quickly. It saved boatloads of time and skipped getting stuck in the filter.

 

[Schnozz]

Is that a Three way valve????

 

[Newdude]

Yes just another 3 way. a ‘T’ so it goes :

pump—- T—Filter. The bottom of the T goes to waste so you can drain (or Vac and drain) bypassing the filter.

 

[Schnozz]

Last question(s), Really.
1. Should the return side plumbing to the pool be a smaller diameter, like 1-1/2", than the suction side, which would be 2"? I thought I read somewhere (TFP maybe?) that there should be a greater volume of water from the pool to the pump/filter than away from the pump/filter and to the pool. (Do I understand that correctly?)

2. Would it be better (Or, is there any advantage in my case) to put the 3-way valves at the equipment pad and run two suction lines from the pool and two return lines to the pool. And again, in this case, should the return side plumbing to the pool be a smaller diameter, like 1-1/2", than the suction side, which would be 2"

Just a bit of additional information, the distance from pool to equipment pad is about 30 feet. Pool equipment is in my signature...
Thanks in advance for your time and Knowledge..........B

 

[Newdude]

1) I have never heard of it. Restrictions are bad. The filter is a necessary evil and for some, a heater. Other than that you want flow.

2) for an inground pool, you would want every skimmer/return independent. You will have access to all the plumbing at the pool and only 30 ft to trench if it ever needed it. (No patio to break up either ?)

For an Above ground pool I think you are already nicely above and beyond. If you dont make it stop somewhere, you'll erase the benefits from going Inex in the first place.

 

[Teald024]

Last question(s), Really.

No these won't be your last questions.... But that's OK. Keep on asking.

1. Should the return side plumbing to the pool be a smaller diameter, like 1-1/2", than the suction side, which would be 2"? I thought I read somewhere (TFP maybe?) that there should be a greater volume of water from the pool to the pump/filter than away from the pump/filter and to the pool. (Do I understand that correctly?)

In your case, using 1-1/2 for suction side and return side is more than enough.
There is no way to have a greater VOLUME of water from the pool than back to the pool unless you have a leak. The pipe size will determine the VELOCITY of the water and thus the pressure drop (head loss), but volume remains the same.
Volume is gallons. Velocity is feet per second or some variation of these units.

2. Would it be better (Or, is there any advantage in my case) to put the 3-way valves at the equipment pad and run two suction lines from the pool and two return lines to the pool. And again, in this case, should the return side plumbing to the pool be a smaller diameter, like 1-1/2", than the suction side, which would be 2"

No, absolutely no need to run each suction and return separately. That is just overkill for your application. For an inground yes, but that is for a different reason than your are alluding too.

As a final note, in all jest... just build it already! no need to over analyze this, lol

 

[Schnozz]

Thanks...I was thinking water volume but, looking back in the archives of TFP, I was co-mingling & confusing pipe size/head loss/velocity with volume of water too and from the pump. Thanks again, Bob

 

[Schnozz]

OK... All finished. Pretty simple for a pool that holds 8400 gallons. Cost me more that the pool itself...

 

[kellyfair]

Wow!

 

[Newdude]

OK... All finished. Pretty simple for a pool that holds 8400 gallons. Cost me more that the pool itself...

The joke is hysterical, Bravo. But that’s where you were heading if we didn’t stop you.

 

[Schnozz]

My new Pentair Cartridge filter/optiflo pump (340077 2hp/sp) combo (PNCC0150OP2160) came with a 3' power cord with a standard plug. A six foot power cord would be better (Easier I should say. The other option is to extend the existing exterior GFCI 3' with conduit.). I found a 6' replacement cord at the POOL FACTORY and asked if it would work. They said it would work/fit (See response attached) What say ya'll? Would the change from a 3' cord to a 6' cord add any power use issues or other issues to the pump motor? I provided the POOL FACTORY all the information I provided in this post..

Thanks in advance...Bob

Staff (The Pool Factory) Apr 3, 2021, 5:30 PM EDT Hi Bob, This 6' Pump Power Cord With Standard 3-Prong Plug SPX1250WA can be used as a replacement power cord for a Pentair Optiflo Pump. https://www.thepoolfactory.com/pool-supplies/pool-equipment/pumps/accessories/spx1250wa.html Regards, The Pool Factory Staff

 

[Newdude]

I can’t imagine 3 ft ever making a difference. A 100ft extension cord that’s too small of a gauge in the first place ? Of course. But 3 ft ? No.

 

[Schnozz]

ok, last question....I'm going with one suction line and one return line from the pump to the pool. I will split each line at the pool with a 3-way valve so I can have two suction lines and two return lines at the pool. My question is...Do the split runs at the pool after the 3-way valves have to be of equal lengths? Close to equal lengths? Or does it make no difference? For example, on the suction side, after the 3-way valve, can the run to the vacuum port be be 3 feet and the run to the skimmer be 8 feet??

 

[CrystalRiver]

You really do like overthinking things. (Me, too.)

It really doesn't matter. If you have one skimmer shut off via valves, the pump will draw 100% from the one that's not shut off. Same with the returns. The only time it will make a difference is if you have the valve set for 50/50, you won't actually achieve 50/50 due to the difference in head. In order to achieve 50/50 flow, you'll have to figure out where to set the valve, providing a little more restriction to the side with the shorter run.

Even if that bit of being "off balance" mattered, you will quickly learn to compensate with your valve setting.

 

[Schnozz]

Overthink? Me? Never!!!

I thought it might make a difference, but I couldn't figure out why. (I'm a 64 year old upholsterer after all) But, that makes perfect sense. A longer run of pipe would mean more head loss than a shorter run of pipe. Generally speaking and for my purposes, it doesn't really make any difference to my set-up. I'm always learning.....

You would not believe the information I've been able to share with guys that have "real" pools. (It's surprising what they don't know about their pool or have been led to believe by the pool stores.) They ask me a question, I give them advice based on what I've learned at TFP, I show them the answer on TFP, then I encourage them to check out the web-site to get more answers for themselves. The majority of pool owners I know have been mislead. The pool companies want everyone in the dark. TFP shines a light on this.

My first experience with a pool store several years ago was stopping to pick-up some HASA Chlorine. I absentmindedly asked for bleach. The kid behind the counter smirked and said "Do you mean chlorine? We don't sell bleach here, but I can sell you some chlorine...."

I stumbled on this site when my wife asked if we could put up a pool 6 years ago. When I was a kid, I watched my dad's Doughboy go from clear to green on a regular basis. But all my concerns worries were put to bed after logging on to TFP.....I can't thank you guys enough for your time/knowledge/patience...

To be sure, there will be more questions and overthinking to come,,,,,,,,,

When my project is finished, I'll send a few photos.....Thanks again for the support...Bob