Strange behavior with a Pentair VSF pump

[hardlyworking]

Lately, my Pentair 011056 pump, installed on December 2020, has been turning off and displays an overcurrent alarm. I read through the posts, but I did not find one that may relate to my issue. I have a Pentair pump that feeds into the SPA or pool, depending on the pool valves. Sometimes, the pump shuts off when switched to pool from SPA mode. Restarting has become a hassle because it times out because of the overcurrent. I manage the pump remotely, so I monitor the gpm, and there is no value when it hits the over-current alarm. I find the best way to restart it is to start the priming when in SPA mode, then switch to pool mode, and then the water starts flowing. However, it is not consistent. I'm just confused about how to troubleshoot it. Is it the pump, the pool filter, or an air leak in the pipes?

Thanks,

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What model number pump are we discussing?

Are you running the pump in GPM settings?

Change the settings to RPM and see if the problem goes away.

In GPM the pump will try to meet the setting even when it cannot which throws the over current fault. Pentsir VS pumps work better when using RPM then GPM.

 

[hardlyworking]

Welcome to TFP.

What model number pump are we discussing? Pentair 011056 3 HP 230V Intelliflo VSF pump

Are you running the pump in GPM settings? No, I'm managing the pump using RPM. I'm using nodejs-poolController from Tagyoureit Nodejs Pool Controller

Change the settings to RPM and see if the problem goes away.

In GPM the pump will try to meet the setting even when it cannot which throws the over current fault. Pentsir VS pumps work better when using RPM then GPM.

 

[ajw22]

What speed is the pump running at when you get the over current fault?

Does it only fault when switching to spa mode with the valves moving?

 

[hardlyworking]

What speed is the pump running at when you get the over current fault?

Does it only fault when switching to spa mode with the valves moving?

It is not consistent. In the diagram below, there are two instances. First, when the guest switches to Pool Mode from SPA mode. Second, after a scheduled downtime. I see it failed both when it is pool or SPA mode. So far, I've been able to restart it by switching the valves while being primed.

 

[ajw22]

It is not consistent. In the diagram below, there are two instances. First, when the guest switches to Pool Mode from SPA mode. Second, after a scheduled downtime. I see it failed both when it is pool or SPA mode. So far, I've been able to restart it by switching the valves while being primed.

Show us pictures of the equipment pad.

Create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

What is your filter PSI at your various RPM settings.

You need to observe what is happening at the equipment pad when the pump faults to get some clues.

Intermittent faults are tough to fix.

 

[ajw22]

What priming speed does the pump run at and what is the filter PSI at priming.?

Lower the priming speed in the pump control panel.

Check the impeller for clogs.

 

[hardlyworking]

Show us pictures of the equipment pad.

Create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

What is your filter PSI at your various RPM settings.

You need to observe what is happening at the equipment pad when the pump faults to get some clues.

Intermittent faults are tough to fix.

Attached is a photo of the pool equipment. The pool filter was recently replaced about six months ago. I instructed my guests to bleed the air filter daily in case of air buildup. I appreciate the suggestion of observing what is happening at the equipment pad when it fails, but the problem is intermittent. I went recently, about 3 weeks ago, to troubleshoot the issue but could not replicate the issue.

 

[hardlyworking]

What priming speed does the pump run at and what is the filter PSI at priming.?

Lower the priming speed in the pump control panel.

Check the impeller for clogs.

I believe the default priming speed is 3450 rpm. I haven't taken a filter PSI reading while it is being primed. I'll capture that at the next failure.

I attached a graph of yesterday's start-up. The pump started at 7 am, and the RPMs went up to 3450 before the water started flowing (yellow line). it ran for 6-7 minutes before the GPM went to zero, and then it took up to four minutes before water started flowing again. The guest has used the spa three times since then without any issues.

How will lowering the priming speed help?

 

[ajw22]

How will lowering the priming speed help?

The pump should not be throwing the over current fault. A lower priming speed may prevent the fault.

If the pump fails to prime it should show priming errors and not over current faults.

 

[hardlyworking]

I went on-site yesterday and discovered an air leak on the suction pool valve diverter shaft. The obvious symptoms were air bubbles on the pool return jet, excessive air on the pool filter, and air noise at the diverter when the pump was stopped. I took the diverter apart, replaced the shaft O-rings, applied pool lube, and reassembled it. The pump primed quickly, and the variance in the flow and wattage readings decreased. I appreciate the help from the forum.

 

[mknauss]

I appreciate the help from the forum.

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