Pump/suction/vacuum

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When I say lost suction I mean that the pump is pulling very little water from the pool and there is very little water flowing from the return. When the return it pointed straight up, it does not even ripple the surface of the water. The pump strainer basket does not go empty when this happens, but remains full of water with a small air bubble (which I understand as normal). The pump strainer basket has no debris in it. The gate valve going to the pump is fully open and the ball valve post filter is fully open.

It has been running now for about 48 hours since I changed the pressure gauge and it is reading 17.5 now. There is still adequate suction. I do need to vacuum up some additional dust that got stirred up, but I am not sure I will get that done today. The water is mostly clear, though not sparkling yet so the filter is working to clean the water. Chlorine levels are still up and I will do an overnight test tonight to see where I stand on the algae clean-up. My biggest concern is trying to figure out why I have such a small change when needing to backwash.
 
I can't seem to find anything on that pump. Is there a head curve in the manual? If so, what is the maximum head for the pump?

Also, what was the filter pressure with the old pump?
 
Hmmm, I am not finding a manual for the new pump, nor the old. This pool store is notorious for selling private label products - Watson's Family Leisure. I am definitely going to avoid them in the future. The motor label also says AO Smith, Tipp City, OH.

I didn't find anything on the label that discusses head curve. It does say 60hz, RPM 3450. I will ask my husband about a manual.

The part number is PN 1150-6. I found it here: http://www.amazon.com/3450-volts-Above- ... B000A4RK9A and I believe this is it too: http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/a ... d_pump.htm
 
The larger pump (older) should have had higher PSI than the newer pump so something has changed besides the pump. Did the older pump ever have higher pressure? Since you were working on the filter as well, there could still be something wrong with the filter. Does the filter have a bypass mode? Is so, what is the pressure in bypass?
 

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After the filter is tubing a bit of tubing (to connect the solar panels that are not connected yet) and then the SWG, then tubing to the return. I guess we need to disconnect everything and check for a blockage. My husband says he doesn't think there is, but we can check them to be sure.
 
We took off every hose (pre and post pump). There were no clogs. Pressure was down to 16psi after putting it all back together with no apparent reason. We checked to verify the SWG was clear and that the ball valve was opening fully. Not sure what else could be an issue.
 
Well, I think you have eliminated everything else so the only possible explaination is that the filter is clogging up. However, as was mentioned earlier, a 2 PSI rise should not reduce flow rate that much.

How far is the equipment from the pool and is there only one suction and return line?

Also, what is the model # of the filter?
 
The pump/filter is right next to the pool. All measurements are from memory and estimation as I didn't go back out with the tape measure. There is approx a 6 foot hose from the skimmer to the pump. There is about 2-3 foot of hose from pump to filter. There is currently about 26-28 feet of tubing/hose from the filter to the SWG - we plan to hook up the solar panels, but haven't yet. Then there is maybe 10 feet from the SWG to the return. There is only 1 suction (thru skimmer) and 1 return. Last year we had this same configuration but also had the solar panels connected. The 2hp pump ran around 10 psi when bypassing the solar panels and 15 when going through the solar panels.

Filter is a Hayward Swimpro SW256T High Rate sand filter. We replaced the entire lateral assembly with center pipe and added 250 pounds of new pool sand. We did cover the center pipe with tape and filled the tank 2/3 full of water before slowly pouring in the sand. We have a Hayward SP0714T Vari-Flo XL Valve on the top of the filter tank.
 
Sorry, a couple of questions I neglected to ask.

Is the equipment approximately 3' below water level?

Is the 17 PSI with or without the cleaner attached? What is the filter pressure without/with the cleaner?

Do you know the diameter of the return eyeball?

I am trying to match your measurements with what my plumbing model to see if it is operating as predicted. Right now the model is predicting 17 PSI @ 71 GPM and 60' head assuming no cleaner attached which prompted my questions.
 
Is the equipment approximately 3' below water level? Yes, the equipment is at ground level and the water level is approximately at the 4 foot mark. The pool has 52 in walls and the water is about half way up the skimmer opening.

Is the 17 PSI with or without the cleaner attached? What is the filter pressure without/with the cleaner? 17psi is without the cleaner, though it came down to 16psi yesterday after we inspected all the tubes and hoses. I don't recall noticing what the pressure was with the vacuum attached, but I can go find out.

Do you know the diameter of the return eyeball? My thumb can fit in and block the water flow, so I would guess 3/4 to 1 inch diameter. We had to block the water to verify that the hoses were clear.
 
Ok, good. It seems to be matching the model fairly well. I would be interested to know the pressure when the cleaner is attached. It sounds as though that is when most of the problems occur.
 
Okay, well I hooked up the manual cleaner. No change is pressure on the gauge. I used it manually for a period of time picking up the dust/pollen (I live on a dirt road and am surrounded by corn and soybean crops) and some sand (from the lateral break) that had settled onto the bottom. After a period of there was a noticeable loss in suction. It was not picking up the dust as easily. When I checked the water coming from the return it was quite diminished - I couldn't hold my hand in front of it before and now I could nearly stop the flow of water by placing my hand close. I removed the skimmer plate and there was no increase in suction - nor was the return stream any stronger. I just off the pump for 5-10 seconds, turned it back on and once again had strong suction and return stream. Again, no change in psi. I then attached the automatic vacuum (Pentair Lil Shark) and it worked for a period of time with no change in psi. Again the suction loss was noticeable - but it seemed to occur much quicker the second time. I removed the skimmer plate again, turned off the pump, turned it back on and the suction was returned as before. I did not backwash.

If I had not just changed the pressure gauge to a new one on Tuesday, I would be questioning it.
 

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