HELP! Hayward Cartridge Filter

Hi, everyone. I'm a new pool owner. We have a 12'x 25' IG fiberglass with Hayward Star Clear Plus cartridge filter, Hayward Max-Flo 1 HP pump and Reliance SWG.

With the cartridge installed, the filter pressure jumps to 28 p.s.i., there's very little suction at the skimmer (not enough to vacuum), the SWG panel shows "Insufficient Water Flow, and we are getting constant air bubbles out of the returns into the pool.

If we remove the cartridge, the filter pressure drops to 10 p.s.i., great suction at the skimmer, the SWG operates fine and no air bubbles. I"ve cleaned the cartridge a half dozen times, so I know it's not dirty.

Any suggestions on why the cartridge being installed would cause everthing to go haywire? I've removed the cartridge for now so the SWG can operate, but I know it will have to go back in - and then all of the problems will return.

Any help will be appreciated.

Chris

Is there any chance the filter is clogged? Have you tried cleaning it before putting it back in?

Is there more than one orientation in which the filter element fits?

What I mean to ask is - is there any chance you have it in "backwards"?

Mom2g, I'm with seanb on the cart being clogged. It definately sounds like a high pressure hosing (of the cart) is in order. If you haven't cleaned it before, we will offer advice on how to do it. :)

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I've cleaned the filter with a jet nozzle twice today. I don't know how else to clean it?

Chris

How old is your filter? Perhaps its time for a replacement. Life expectantcy on filters with proper care is 3 seasons. A lot of folks have a hard time getting them really clean. Not just the outside of the filter element, but deep within each pleat. It'll take some time.

The cartridge is only a month old - the pool and equipment are new. The cart looks like it fits in either way and I've tried it both ways with no difference in the result. We've already had trouble with the pump leaking and I'm really wondering if the pump isn't working well enough to pump the water through the cart. The pump works great without the cart in, but add the cart and maybe the pump can't handle the extra resistance. Does that theory make sense to any of the experts here?

Thanks for everyone's help. I'm way over my head. The PB keeps saying the pump and filter are operating correctly, but if there isn't enough pressure to operate the SWG, there's gotta be something wrong somewhere. I just don't know what.

More ideas of a completely uneducated nature:

Are you sure it's the right model of cartridge?

Is it possible the builder plumbed the filter backwards? Maybe the flow going out-to-in works just fine with no cartridge in, but not so well with the cartridge in.

Is it possible that there is some type of internal support ring that's missing from the filter? That is to say, when you put the cartridge in, it rests on the floor of the filter housing, covering up the outlet instead of being supported up above the outlet?

I wonder if the downstream check valve may be sticking. Without any cartridge in, the pump can force it open. With the cartridge in, the pump output is restricted to a point below the threshold required to overcome the sticking.

Is this a new pool, or just new to you? If it's new, your builder should be able to assist you in figuring out the cause of the problem. I would call them and ask for someone to come and check it out.

If it is a new pool... Be certain to verify position of filter in tank. Verify as well that no small chips of plaster, rocks, mud chunks have settled at the bottom of the tank after start up and were dislodged when you pulled the filter loose. Make sure to fully vent the filter once pump primes and fills. FYI, if this is a new pool, your pool builder should have gone through all steps of pulling/inspecting/ cleaning the filter and gone through the re-install process. Good Luck and keep us posted.