- Aug 24, 2015
- 10
- Pool Size
- 17500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
I have installed a Pentair Intellifo model 011028 variable speed pump and am trying to calculate the total dynamic head for my system in order to determine the GPM flow rate at various RPM speeds. Pool was pre-existing when I bought the home so I have no information regarding all of the underground piping in order to determine the total length of all of the pipes. Pool has a Caretaker99 5 zone system with 1-1/2 inch returns. I read this Inyo Pools article about using two gauges using the pump's drain plugs, one on the suction side (strainer basket drain) and one on the pressure side (pump impeller housing drain) to calculate TDH using a formula that utilizes the two gauge readings (vacuum side in inHg, pressure side in PSI). I'm using two of these combination -30 Hg/30 PSI gauges .
Now for my problem....The vacuum gauge reads zero for all speeds except the maximum 3110 rpm speed, and then the needle barely reads -1 on the gauge. Is there a problem if the suction line has no vacuum? I have very good return flow to the pool because the Caretaker pop up heads are all functioning properly as well as the water features. I'm getting a range of pressure readings from around 5 psi @1000 rpm to 30+ psi @3110 rpm.
So my question is..... What would be causing a zero vacuum reading on the suction side of the pump, and is that really an issue? Should I try a different vacuum gauge with a more precise range than -30 to 0?
My overall goal is to develop a custom pump performance profile based upon real-time data for my specific pool installation. With the pump's RPM readings and calculated TDH at various speeds I can determine the pump's GPM flow rates at various RPM which will allow me to create the necessary pump programming schedules. The only wildcard here is determining the TDH for my pool. Any suggestions?
Now for my problem....The vacuum gauge reads zero for all speeds except the maximum 3110 rpm speed, and then the needle barely reads -1 on the gauge. Is there a problem if the suction line has no vacuum? I have very good return flow to the pool because the Caretaker pop up heads are all functioning properly as well as the water features. I'm getting a range of pressure readings from around 5 psi @1000 rpm to 30+ psi @3110 rpm.
So my question is..... What would be causing a zero vacuum reading on the suction side of the pump, and is that really an issue? Should I try a different vacuum gauge with a more precise range than -30 to 0?
My overall goal is to develop a custom pump performance profile based upon real-time data for my specific pool installation. With the pump's RPM readings and calculated TDH at various speeds I can determine the pump's GPM flow rates at various RPM which will allow me to create the necessary pump programming schedules. The only wildcard here is determining the TDH for my pool. Any suggestions?