Valve shut on pump - how to prevent it

[Cole johnstone]

From here.

Hi, I have the same situation as the OP. I have mine set up exactly has you described. However last weekend both valves got turned off while the pump was on. Luckily nothing was damaged. I would love to set up a flow sensor, but when set up as a water feature and not a filter pump, I can’t find that option available. Another option would be to set up an interlock, but with two valves I can’t figure it out. Any ideas?

 

[ajw22]

Show us pictures of your equipment pad and valves.

What Hayward controller are we discussing?

What do the valves control?

 

[Cole johnstone]

Show us pictures of your equipment pad and valves.

What Hayward controller are we discussing?

What do the valves control?

It's a Hayward OMNI PL system. I almost had it figured out with interlocks today. I could do if Water Feature pump flow sensor = none, than turn on both valves (so it doesn't deadhead) OR if water feature flow sensor = none, run theme that turns off the pump. The problem is there is very little delay (if any) with interlocks, and the pump won't start if there is no water flow. Therefor, it won't even turn on.

 

[ajw22]

Let's see if @ChrisLPC has ideas.

 

[ChrisABS]

So I read through the OP some. This would take some programming. If you add water feature I’m not sure if you can pick the same dedicated pump for each water feature and then add interlock to each valve. I wish I had a PL in front of me but I think you can add another flow sensor and interlock with the water features. Give me a day or two to figure while having a PL in front of me.

 

[Cole johnstone]

So I read through the OP some. This would take some programming. If you add water feature I’m not sure if you can pick the same dedicated pump for each water feature and then add interlock to each valve. I wish I had a PL in front of me but I think you can add another flow sensor and interlock with the water features. Give me a day or two to figure while having a PL in front of me.

Thank you. I have it so the pump and water features work perfect. I am always just concerned by accident I might turn off the valves without turning off the pump. Or both valves being shut, and my wife turning on the pump. I am looking for a safety to turn off the water feature pump if there is no flow (both valves closed). I have purchased an additional flower sensor (and 2" PVC T), and have been trying different ways before actually installing it.

Going into the Omni programming mode, there is no way to assign an additional flow sensor to a "water feature," and that his how I currently have the pump installed so I can control both bubbles and sheer decents. I started messing around with Interlocks and found two different ways to have the feature pump turn OFF if the flow stops...but no way to START the pump if there is no flow. Meaning the interlock checks the flow sensor at same time it starts the pump, and since there is no flowing water and the sensor is open--it won't start the feature pump.

Thank you

 

[Cole johnstone]

So I read through the OP some. This would take some programming. If you add water feature I’m not sure if you can pick the same dedicated pump for each water feature and then add interlock to each valve. I wish I had a PL in front of me but I think you can add another flow sensor and interlock with the water features. Give me a day or two to figure while having a PL in front of me.

Hi Chris, I just wanted to check back to see if you had any additional thoughts. I added some additional info in the post below. thanks again,

 

[ChrisABS]

Yeah there is not any easy way. No option for flow sensor on water feature pump. No way to truly get it to be fail safe.

 

[Cole johnstone]

Yeah there is not any easy way. No option for flow sensor on water feature pump. No way to truly get it to be fail safe.

Is there anything I could do with the interlocks. I can add the additional flow sensor and use that as a variable in the interlocks. My concern is that if there is no flow, the pump wouldn't turn on in the first place. thanks,

 

[ChrisABS]

I know there is a way 2 add more than o e valve to a feature. I don’t know how helpful that would be with both features under the same icon. You wouldn’t be able to turn on each one individually but it would be a fail safe to not have the pump run dry. You could program the pump as Spa but rename it. Then you could add a flow sensor to that and add the features under the “spa” pump and add interlocks after that!

 

[ChrisABS]

You would have to add 2nd body of water and redo your water features with valve option and interlock each with the spa flow sensor .