Valve Orientation for Spa

[Zufelt]

Hey how's it going guys, I moved into a house with a Pool/Spa and I'm trying to grasp the understanding of the orientation each valve needs to be in. I feel like there is an underlying problem so I'm just going to throw everything out there. I purchased the house around 7 months ago, during the purchase I noticed a gas line capped off. I was told this went to the spa heater, and it was capped so that the Home Shield warranty could replace the Pool/Spa heater. Fast track to a month ago I had the water-tile redone as well as the spill-way (so the pool was empty). Yesterday I replaced the gas line to get our spa working. But unfortunately the valves aren't listed on each pipe aside from one which says "Pool". Prior to draining the pool I was able to get the jet's working, but now I can only get the jet's to push out minimal water. My Spa heater also says "LO" which from research has led me to believe that I don't have enough pressure going to heater. I've taken pictures of the setup and posted them below. I have tried multiple variations and combinations but haven't been able to get it figured out. Thanks for any advice/help that you can give.

Edit: I have also opened up the valve on top of the filter, then ran the pump to alleviate any of the air trapped in the system.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

I assume the valve pictures (3) are all of the same valve's.

As you have it labeled, I would suspect the Spa suction and return lines are closed off. The paddle of the valve handle that says 'Off' is pointed towards the lines that are off. It also appears you have a main drain and skimmer line coming in one side that are both fully open? The valves are not very efficient as set up as you would prefer to have nearly all skimmer and little main drain suction.

Are there two pool returns?

I suggest you read Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Trouble Free Pool School book.

 

[kadavis]

I see you have a variable speed pump, is there automation to control it or is it manually run. First looking at the valve setup in bottom picture try turning the valve closest to the wall ccw 180 degrees so the word off is closing the pipe marked pool. Then turn the other valve 180 degrees so the other pipe marked pool is also closed. You will have to ramp up the rpm's on the pump till you get the jets working.

- - - Updated - - -

The pipe with the smaller ball valve is probably a spa makeup line, you may also have to turn off while using spa.

 

[Zufelt]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

I assume the valve pictures (3) are all of the same valve's.

As you have it labeled, I would suspect the Spa suction and return lines are closed off. The paddle of the valve handle that says 'Off' is pointed towards the lines that are off. It also appears you have a main drain and skimmer line coming in one side that are both fully open? The valves are not very efficient as set up as you would prefer to have nearly all skimmer and little main drain suction.

Are there two pool returns?

I suggest you read Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Trouble Free Pool School book.

Thank you for the links, I'll do some reading on those so I can hopefully better answer the questions you are asking.

- - - Updated - - -

I see you have a variable speed pump, is there automation to control it or is it manually run. First looking at the valve setup in bottom picture try turning the valve closest to the wall ccw 180 degrees so the word off is closing the pipe marked pool. Then turn the other valve 180 degrees so the other pipe marked pool is also closed. You will have to ramp up the rpm's on the pump till you get the jets working.

- - - Updated - - -

The pipe with the smaller ball valve is probably a spa makeup line, you may also have to turn off while using spa.

I oriented the valves as stated above, kicked on the pump and 1/5 jets had "bubbles", which stopped after about 20 seconds of the pump being on. I also tried turning the Spa makeup line to see if that would aid my cause but still no cigar.

The pump is automated, or manually run whatever you choose per cycle.

 

[mknauss]

After another look, I believe you have one line to and from the spa and pool only. Let us know how you have aligned the valves in the past. As kadavis says, the small valve is most likely a spa make up valve.

- - - Updated - - -

The lines coming out of the valve at the 90 degree (with an arrow pointing toward the line) should be the line to/from the pump?

 

[Zufelt]

After another look, I believe you have one line to and from the spa and pool only. Let us know how you have aligned the valves in the past. As kadavis says, the small valve is most likely a spa make up valve.

- - - Updated - - -

The lines coming out of the valve at the 90 degree (with an arrow pointing toward the line) should be the line to/from the pump?

So you are thinking it would be something like this? I'm using the daylight photo for the lighting only. EDIT: Sorry the wording is so hard to read, it wasn't like that prior to uploading it.

 

[mknauss]

Sounds good. Not sure which side is suction and which side is return but could be what you show.

Do as kadavis said. Turn the valves so they are both 180 deg from that shown in the picture and see what happens.

 

[Zufelt]

Sounds good. Not sure which side is suction and which side is return but could be what you show.

Do as kadavis said. Turn the valves so they are both 180 deg from that shown in the picture and see what happens.

I actually replied to him above already. I oriented the valves as stated above, kicked on the pump and 1/5 jets had "bubbles", which stopped after about 20 seconds of the pump being on. I also tried turning the Spa makeup line to see if that would aid my cause but still no cigar.

If you have any other advice MKN let me know, thanks again for your help fellas. I'm starting to think I have air in the system which is why it starts to work, then shortly dissipates.

 

[mknauss]

At what rpm is the pump?

 

[Zufelt]

At what rpm is the pump?

I've had it at 3050RPM, and lower RPM's which oddly enough seem to create more of a fuss in the SPA than the higher RPMS.

 

[mknauss]

Are you using the blower?

 

[kadavis]

There's another line next to the valves, it looks like 1-1/2" with a cap on it, that is probably the airline to the jets. Is there any openings in or on this line if not can you remove the cap. There's also the possibility you have one or more jets with some blockage in them, one way to check is to run pump with spa suction on and pool return on to drain spa into pool. Drain below Jets and turn on spa return and see what happens

 

[Zufelt]

Are you using the blower?

From the pool/spa heater?

 

[Zufelt]

There's another line next to the valves, it looks like 1-1/2" with a cap on it, that is probably the airline to the jets. Is there any openings in or on this line if not can you remove the cap. There's also the possibility you have one or more jets with some blockage in them, one way to check is to run pump with spa suction on and pool return on to drain spa into pool. Drain below Jets and turn on spa return and see what happens

Unfortunately the line didn't do anything. Once I stop the pump I'm hearing air bubbles come to surface.. perhaps that's my issue and the system needs to be bled? I thought this could be achieved by just opening the valve at the top while turning on the pump.

 

[mknauss]

Your equipment pad shows an air blower for your spa. Does it come on?

 

[Zufelt]

Your equipment pad shows an air blower for your spa. Does it come on?

Yes it does, however it seems at least one of the issues has been solved. I hadn't thought about all the debris and such that would go into the cartridge filters after the pool was drained/refilled. I ended up taking apart the filter, cleaning it, running up the pump again and what do you know..bubbles appeared. The orientation you guys listed above for the valves worked like a charm. I still however can't get the heater to kick on, but I suppose that's another story for another thread after a bit of research. Thank you fellas for the help, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[mknauss]

Monitor your filter pressure at a set RPM. When it goes up by 25% over the clean pressure, it is time to clean the filters.