Water not coming over spillway

[jwcod]

In pool mode, my valves are set to return water to the pool and the spa. Typically, this results in a small stream of water coming over the spillway. Today I noticed that there is no water coming over the spillway. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[proavia]

Pump rpm?

Post a few pics of the equipment pad from a few different angles showing all plumbing in the same frame.

 

[setsailsoon]

In pool mode, my valves are set to return water to the pool and the spa. Typically, this results in a small stream of water coming over the spillway. Today I noticed that there is no water coming over the spillway. Any advice is appreciated.

In order to spill water back into the pool you have to be adding more than you're removing from the drain. The valves are normally adjusted so the right amount spills for your preference. Either they were changed or your filter/pump suction basket is reducing flow so the valve settings don't return enough or the rpm has been reduced on your pump settings.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

JW,

My initial thought is that your filter is dirty..

When the filter gets dirty, the flow decreases, and a weak spa spillover is the first indication.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

I have water returning to the pool, but not to the spa. The pump basket is clean and the filter was cleaned a few weeks ago. The actuator handle on the diverter valve is in the correct position. I haven't checked yet, but could a broken valve stem be the culprit?

 

[Jimrahbe]

jw,

Just run a quick and simple test... Increase your pump speed by 500 RPM and then tell us what happens.

Also, tell us what speed you are currently running and what your filter pressure is at that speed.

Show us several pics of your equipment pad and maybe one of us can spot something.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

In pool mode, I increased the pump speed from 2000 to 2500 and the PSI increased from 10 to 12. There was water coming over the spillway and a small amount of water coming out of the spa returns. In spillway mode, there's a full flow of water coming into the pool from the spa and a lot of water coming out of the spa returns. The diverter valve seems to be working. The attached picture shows the equipment in pool mode. Thanks for your help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

jw,

I see that your return valve is set to 50% to Pool and 50% to Spa (causes the spillover) when in the Pool mode.

Normally we see the Return valve set to 90% pool and 10% spa when in the pool mode. And 100% spa and 0% pool when in the spa mode.

I guess your check valve in the spa return line could be bad making you send much more flow to cause the spa spillover.

It could also be that your Intake valve is letting the Spa water into the pump when in the pool mode.

But.. My money is still on a dirty filter.

I 'assume' the spillover used to work fine at 2000, now it only works when you ramp up the pump to 2500..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

Thanks for the advice on the diverter valve setting. The spillover was working fine at 2000. At 2500, there's definitely more spillover than at 2000 and there is a weak stream of water coming out of the spa returns as opposed to none when at 2000. I will take a look at the check valve. I know the filter is clean.

 

[jwcod]

Check valve is fine. Why is the 90/10 split advisable when in pool mode? I assume that will further reduce my already low return to the spa when set at 50/50. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Why is the 90/10 split advisable when in pool mode?

jw,

Maybe I should have said that in most pools the 90/10 split provides plenty of water for the spillover to work.. The wider the spillover the more water it will take. But, you said it used to work at 2000 RPM..

Logic says that if it used to work at 2000, and now only works at 2500, something has changed.. What in that whole water flow loop has the ability to change over time and restrict the flow of water???

In the past, have you ever used a Floc, or Clarifier type of product??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

Haven't used any of those products.

 

[proavia]

Does the pool have a solar heater?
Post a few more pics of your equipment pad from a few different angles with all equipment showing in the frame so we get a better idea of the plumbing set up.

Your regular pool heater is restricting the water flow - consider adding a heater bypass.
Heater Bypass

 

[jwcod]

I have solar and a gas heater. The gas heater is only used when in spa mode. Still experiencing reduced return to the spa when in solar or pool mode. Thanks for your help.