- Jan 2, 2022
- 151
- Pool Size
- 16171
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Last February we installed a new Pentair VSF pump and Pentair SWG (Intellichlor 40). Have had inconsistent performance ever since, so I'm inquiring where to go next.
First the SWG. The factory specs require a minimum 8" straight run of pipe to the swg; ours was 6.5" with a 90-degree turn that led to the generator. From the first, the indicators for flow and salt level glowed red or alternated between red & green (salt level). Higher rpms (2350) would remedy the flow issue. Have had difficulty maintaining FC and have had to go with adding bleach to maintain FC. A call to Pentair tech resulted in a suggestion that the SWG was plumbed incorrectly, needing a minimum of 8" of pipe leading straight to the SWG and that the 90-degree turn would impede flow. Replumbing was done yesterday with an 8.5" straight run from filter to the SWG. The initial startup looked promising. This morning the problem persists-flow light on, salt level indicators flashing. BTW SWG is set to 60% salt level generation. Thoughts?
The pump is set to run at 1950 rpm and has been from the first installation. The amount of water flowing into the basket has been suspect-more of a steady but slight stream with none of the turbulence I would have expected displayed under the cap. Using the quick clean button on the pump brings the pump first to a stop (priming alarm) and then a reset with an rpm of 3450 which eventually returns to the 1950 rpms. At that point, the water flow seems "normal", and you can see more turbulence in the basket. It does not stay this way.
The booster pump had a water leak and a new gasket was installed yesterday. Prior to the repair, the pump would not always activate the cleaner and required the pressing of the quick clean button on the pump to get the cleaner moving successfully. Today the pump came on as usual but the pool cleaner moved in incremental slow-motion. Again depressing the quick clean button activated the cleaner. However, at this moment the cleaner is dead stopped.
Where next shall I pursue the remedies?
McLeod
First the SWG. The factory specs require a minimum 8" straight run of pipe to the swg; ours was 6.5" with a 90-degree turn that led to the generator. From the first, the indicators for flow and salt level glowed red or alternated between red & green (salt level). Higher rpms (2350) would remedy the flow issue. Have had difficulty maintaining FC and have had to go with adding bleach to maintain FC. A call to Pentair tech resulted in a suggestion that the SWG was plumbed incorrectly, needing a minimum of 8" of pipe leading straight to the SWG and that the 90-degree turn would impede flow. Replumbing was done yesterday with an 8.5" straight run from filter to the SWG. The initial startup looked promising. This morning the problem persists-flow light on, salt level indicators flashing. BTW SWG is set to 60% salt level generation. Thoughts?
The pump is set to run at 1950 rpm and has been from the first installation. The amount of water flowing into the basket has been suspect-more of a steady but slight stream with none of the turbulence I would have expected displayed under the cap. Using the quick clean button on the pump brings the pump first to a stop (priming alarm) and then a reset with an rpm of 3450 which eventually returns to the 1950 rpms. At that point, the water flow seems "normal", and you can see more turbulence in the basket. It does not stay this way.
The booster pump had a water leak and a new gasket was installed yesterday. Prior to the repair, the pump would not always activate the cleaner and required the pressing of the quick clean button on the pump to get the cleaner moving successfully. Today the pump came on as usual but the pool cleaner moved in incremental slow-motion. Again depressing the quick clean button activated the cleaner. However, at this moment the cleaner is dead stopped.
Where next shall I pursue the remedies?
McLeod