Should booster pump be pushing water features during freeze protection?

[PoolNewbie2022]

Hello! I have a pentair booster pump strictly dedicated for water features. When freeze protection kicks on the booster pump will run but not push water to any of the water features that are on.

I filled up the booster pump with water because I did not think that it was priming, but it’s still just continues to circulate but not send any water to the water features.

Should I expect the booster pump to run the water features during freeze protection? Or should it automatically kick on the water features as well and I need to get it looked at?
Thanks!

 

[PoolGate]

With my automation I have to select which features are covered by freeze protect. The pump alone isn't going to activate the water feature. What do you have?

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

With my automation I have to select which features are covered by freeze protect. The pump alone isn't going to activate the water feature. What do you have?

Ok thanks! I have pentair easy touch. I have an option to turn the fountains on regularly and that will activate the secondary pump which turns on the water features.

Kind of odd how when freeze protect is on, the pump just turns on, but there is no water flow.

 

[PoolGate]

An EasyTouch expert will come along shortly I am sure but meanwhile my Aqualink has the below screen that I must select what devices are turned on during freeze periods. In addition to the pump, I also need to select other components I want to turn on.

 

[JamesW]

Can you show your system?

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

Can you show your system?

Hey there! Are you looking for a photo of the entire set up?

 

[JamesW]

Hey there! Are you looking for a photo of the entire set up?

Yes.

 

[JamesW]

Kind of odd how when freeze protect is on, the pump just turns on, but there is no water flow.

What exactly is happening?

Is there water in the pump?

Does the pump have a separate suction just for the water features?

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

Can you show your system?

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

What exactly is happening?

Is there water in the pump?

Does the pump have a separate suction just for the water features?

Freeze protection comes on, and the pump turns on. There isn’t any water that circulates when I look into the pump. It looks empty. If I turn the system off and open it up, water pours back in to where the lid was. Very bizarre.

 

[JamesW]

So, the pump is running but no water is moving at all?

Maybe ice or something else is clogging the line?

Maybe a line break.

 

[JamesW]

It looks wet under the pump.

Try priming the pump and then look under the pump for a seal leak when the pump turns on.

 

[PoolGate]

Freeze protection comes on, and the pump turns on. There isn’t any water that circulates when I look into the pump. It looks empty. If I turn the system off and open it up, water pours back in to where the lid was. Very bizarre.

If it is a water feature only pump, and the output valve where it goes to the water feature is turned off, then this is the expected behavior. Can you show a picture of the entire equipment pad with a focus on the feature pump and plumbing for that?

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

It looks wet under the pump.

Try priming the pump and then look under the pump for a seal leak when the pump turns on.

It’s just wet because I’ve put water in the pump to prime it just to make sure the water features or working.

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

If it is a water feature only pump, and the output valve where it goes to the water feature is turned off, then this is the expected behavior. Can you show a picture of the entire equipment pad with a focus on the feature pump and plumbing for that?

Thanks. I ran the water features yesterday and everything was working just fine. Did not touch a thing and then freeze protection came on this morning and no water is coming thru the features. I wasn’t sure if maybe when freeze protection is turned on that pump just runs to keep water circulating but none of the features come on. It’s really strange.

 

[JamesW]

Is the water just churning in the pump basket?

If the pump is on, then water should be moving.

It looks like the valves are open, so maybe a problem on the suction, return or maybe a problem with the impeller or seal.

Can you post a video of what is happening in the pump basket with the sound?

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

What exactly is happening?

Is there water in the pump?

Does the pump have a separate suction just for the water features?

Also, yes, there are separate suction from the pool for the water features.

 

[PoolNewbie2022]

Is the water just churning in the pump basket?

If the pump is on, then water should be moving.

It looks like the valves are open, so maybe a problem on the suction, return or maybe a problem with the impeller or seal.

Can you post a video of what is happening in the pump basket with the sound?

Yes, thank you sir, as soon as I get back to the video and send.

 

[JamesW]

Is there a trickle of water going into the pump basket when the pump is on?

 

[JamesW]

When the pump turns on, you should see a trickle of water going into the pump basket and the flapper in front of the pump should be lifting up.

Check under the pump for a drip, which would indicate a seal leak.