Pool pump trouble!!

[Joeytx92]

I have a in ground pool and spa, with 4 water features.
1 over flow from the spa to the pool.
2 deck floor jets.
3 side falls.
4 shallow deck jets.
The pool pump was only 1.5 HP and could not run all the features at one.
So I up graded to a 3HP Pentair pool pump, but I’m still having the same issue? Even if I and try only running two features at one. Please help!

 

[ajw22]

Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment as we need to know all the equipment your pump is pushing water through to advise on it also powering water features.

I doubt one pump can get all of your water features running. I think @mas985 may be best to explain the technical details of why.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Joey,

When was the last time you cleaned your filter? When trying to run everything, what is your filter pressure?

Let's see some pics of your equipment pad..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mas985]

Increasing pump does not always appreciably increase flow rate. It depends on the plumbing layout, size and each pump's head curve. For example, if the plumbing has high head loss and both pumps have similar max head, then the flow rates will not change much. What was your previous pump make/model?

Also what do you mean that it does not "run" all features? What are the specific symptoms?

 

[JamesW]

Is the new pump a used/rebuilt pump?

 

[Joeytx92]

Is the new pump a used/rebuilt pump?

Used

 

[Joeytx92]

Joey,

When was the last time you cleaned your filter? When trying to run everything, what is your filter pressure?

Let's see some pics of your equipment pad..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Just clean it today.

 

[JamesW]

It's hard to tell. I would check for a suction clog or a clogged impeller.

Is the basket in good condition and installed correctly?

Do you have a picture of the pump label from the front part of the pump?

Are you getting full prime?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Joey,

Just for reference... I do not have a heater and still have to run my IntelliFlo at 2800 RPM just to make my three small waterfalls work about like yours.. You have two shears, a spillover spa, two or three deck jets and at least one bubbler... From my point of view what you are seeing is about right..

JamesW really knows his stuff, so he is the one to listen too, but I just think you have more water demand than that pump can push through the system..

It will be interesting to see how this turns out....

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Joeytx92]

It's hard to tell. I would check for a suction clog or a clogged impeller.

Is the basket in good condition and installed correctly?

Do you have a picture of the pump label from the front part of the pump?

Are you getting full prime?

Ba

It's hard to tell. I would check for a suction clog or a clogged impeller.

Is the basket in good condition and installed correctly?

Do you have a picture of the pump label from the front part of the pump?

Are you getting full prime?

Suction seems ok, basket is good, I’m getting to the point where I think the plumping was just poorly deigned. What if I was to add a pump or a boosters pump, I just want to have all water features going at once.

 

[mguzzy]

I'm curious, did it ever work as you expected it to? I agree with Jim. I think you may need another pump. I know I wouldn't be able to run all my features on on one pump. My waterfall has its own pump and is separate from the filtration/heater lines.

 

[JamesW]

The pressure seems a little bit low for the pump at full speed. That's why I am questioning the suction or maybe the impeller.

Are you closing any regular returns while trying to use the features?

How many suction lines do you have?

Your system really isn't designed correctly for the flow rates you want.

The suction is insufficient, the heater should use a check valve bypass and the filter is too small.

 

[Joeytx92]

The pressure seems a little bit low for the pump at full speed. That's why I am questioning the suction or maybe the impeller.

Are you closing any regular returns while trying to use the features?

I have 3 returns, the only one that is closed is the spa, if it’s not closed the spill over won’t happen.

 

[JamesW]

If you have any regular pool wall or floor returns, you should close them to force more water to the features.

I suspect that the suction is insufficient for the flow rates desired.

 

[Joeytx92]

The pressure seems a little bit low for the pump at full speed. That's why I am questioning the suction or maybe the impeller.

Are you closing any regular returns while trying to use the features?

How many suction lines do you have?

Your system really isn't designed correctly for the flow rates you want.

The suction is insufficient, the heater should use a check valve bypass and the filter is too small.

I have 3 suction lines, what should my pressure be at?

 

[JamesW]

You have to close the spa suction to get good overflow.

That leaves two pool suction lines. Can you describe them?

You need to close the pool returns and open the spa returns.

 

[RMcGirr83]

Filter pressure seems a bit high at 20, no? Mine barely reaches 10 when it's clean though it is a Jandy CL460.

 

[homegameroom]

It looks like the spa overflow might need a little something to help as well. Is there a lip on the stone-looking material it is overflowing from? It does not look like it might not have been cut properly; I would use a siloxane sealer on it. It would help give the overflow a better appearance, as the water would not "stick" to the stone as much. (I had to do this to the overflow from my spa into my pool).

I would assume everything worked well when it was new..........

 

[tstex]

Here's the problem: you have 8 kids and a 4 seater car. Your pump is not designed to run at 3450rpm all the time...there's no need to have VSP, but only a single speed if it's always running wide open throttle.

Conclusion: I would highly suggest you mapping out all your pool runs for returns, suction lines, pool features, etc. Then get a hacksaw and completely re-design your equip pad w the appropriate auxiliary pumps for each respective feature. Typically, the VSP controls your pool water flow and spa, then for other features, they are run on diff smaller pumps. A 3HP is the strongest there is, so this was not configured properly

 

[jimmythegreek]

You wont be able to run all that with a single pump. The deck jets are water hogs if you want arc on them. You would have to at the least try closing all regular returns off and the spa. Then start with the deck jets and waterfall and see if you can push that on full speed. Report back