Hi hopefully someone can help me. I have a hydro baker skimmer, and a closed main drain. When I hook up the vacuum I lose prime at the pump. Well at least I think I do. Normally my pump basket is full of water when the pump is running but as soon as I attach the vacuum the water in the pump basket goes half way down and water is still pouring in the pump but it's just not completely full. Is this normal ? I have changed the vacuum hose and we just changed the diverter on the Jandy valve bc it was leaking. It is still leaking by one of the screws bc the casing was cracked. We figured we will just epoxy that and just change the entire valve one day. So maybe that is still causing the issue. What do y'all think? TIA
Pump losing prime when hooking up vacuum
- Thread starter Jfranklin0311
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,059
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Hello fellow TFP'er and local neighbor! 
Yes, if that valve is before the pump on the suction side, air could be getting sucked in there. Try running some water over it with the garden hose when you have the vacuum connected to see if it changes. Maybe place some shaving cream on that crack to see if it gets sucked in. Even so, I wouldn't be surprised if your pump water level dropped a little anyways. Mine always does once I connect a vacuum hose. Just never as air tight as pure water and the original lines.
Yes, if that valve is before the pump on the suction side, air could be getting sucked in there. Try running some water over it with the garden hose when you have the vacuum connected to see if it changes. Maybe place some shaving cream on that crack to see if it gets sucked in. Even so, I wouldn't be surprised if your pump water level dropped a little anyways. Mine always does once I connect a vacuum hose. Just never as air tight as pure water and the original lines.So would a primed pump be completely filled with water? Is it ok to vacuum if it's only half way filled as long as water is pouring in ? We will do the epoxy tom and try to vacuum again on Thursday. Thanks
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,059
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
When the vacuum is not being used, yes, the pump basket should be completely full. Maybe a small air pocket or two is all on lower speeds. As long as the basket doesn't loose prime while vacuuming you are okay.
Jfranklin:
What exactly do you mean by a "closed main drain"? How many skimmers do you have? And are you priming the hose by filling up with water before you hook up to the skimmer basket? Is the diverter valve (one valve) that controls both the skimmer and main drain? Therefore, you are shutting off the main drain to increase suction from skimmer before you start to vacuum?
Try this. Place plate and hose + vacuum to skimmer (after priming) & do not shut off main drain. Leave it for a few minutes until the pressure is steady. Slowly close off the main drain until you reach the point where prime is not lost. This could be your only option.
Please add your signature and describe your pool (how many returns, main drains, skimmers, etc.).
What exactly do you mean by a "closed main drain"? How many skimmers do you have? And are you priming the hose by filling up with water before you hook up to the skimmer basket? Is the diverter valve (one valve) that controls both the skimmer and main drain? Therefore, you are shutting off the main drain to increase suction from skimmer before you start to vacuum?
Try this. Place plate and hose + vacuum to skimmer (after priming) & do not shut off main drain. Leave it for a few minutes until the pressure is steady. Slowly close off the main drain until you reach the point where prime is not lost. This could be your only option.
Please add your signature and describe your pool (how many returns, main drains, skimmers, etc.).
The pool people told us that the main drain had been capped. We have two returns and 1 skimmer. We have a baker skimmer so the main drain oulet is right above the skimmer basket. So the vacuum plate have a vacuum mode and a normal mode. You are suppose to put the plate on vacuum mode when vacuuming. That covers the main drain opening in the skimmer. This makes no difference though. I'm hoping it's the leaky Jandy valve. Yes I am priming the hose plus it's brand new. Changed it thing maybe my old one had a leak.
Are you loosing prime when the vacuum head is flat on the floor of the pool? If so, try lifting the head while attempting this to see if you are still in the same situation. If not, then keep the vacuum lifted off the floor slightly up or sideways. When I vacuum the bottom/wall corners where a lot of pollen, dirt settle, the manual vacuum is always a little on the side (nice and slow) and everything is picked up straight into the skimmer sock.
You can also try closing off one return while vacuuming to see if this balances out the system as well.
You can also try closing off one return while vacuuming to see if this balances out the system as well.
Yes it is completely full when not vacuuming. When vacuuming it still has water in it just not as much. And water is flowing in pretty fast. Will that hurt the pump. Also the vacuum has suction
- - - Updated - - -
I will pay attention and see if lifting the vacuum head helps
- - - Updated - - -
I will pay attention and see if lifting the vacuum head helps