Water feature/Filter psi questions

[ChrissyRa]

Hello,

I have a water feature that suddenly is not shooting water far enough away from the coping to land in the pool. Most of it is going in the pool but not all of it. The pump speed is set as it always has been to the highest speed at 3450. I called Pentair and they said to check and see if filter is clean. The psi is at 24. Can anyone tell me what that number signifies?

Also does the filter seem likely to be the culrpit here?

I don't know if this is relevant but last week I replaced my SWG and the pool was low I had to add water to the pool.

Thanks for any guidance!
Christine

 

[mknauss]

Filter pressure only means something when compared to a clean filter pressure at the same rpm.

I assume you have an Intelliflo VS -- your signature does not show your pump model.

If so, your filter is dirty. That pump would put out a lot of water. When did you last clean the filter?

 

[ChrissyRa]

Thank you! Yes I have an Intelliflo VS. What psi range am I looking for in the filter? What number is considered "dirty"? The filter was last cleaned when I opened the pool in May. But I did have a moderate algae issue last month and the filter worked like a champ and it cleared in a day or so.

What did you mean when you said that pump would put out a lot of water? What were you meaning when you said that?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[mknauss]

You clean your filter when the filter pressure rises by 25% over the clean pressure at the same rpm.
So clean your filter. Then record your clean filter pressure at a selected rpm. Then weekly, run the pump at that rpm and check the pressure. When it rises by 25%, time to clean the filter.

The pump is 3.95 THP, it will push a lot of water. So if you are not seeing that, the filter is dirty.

 

[ChrissyRa]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me - time to clean the filter! Have a good evening!