Thanks for your response. I suspect that I need to add sand, but I hate to take everything apart. It's a PITA. I really should have put some unions in last time but I didn't.

Did you see the pics I sent you a few days ago? Do you have any concerns on my set-up? I realize my back-wash line is kinda open ended. I had another pipe that ran down and away from the filter but the kids "misplaced" it for me. I will get another up ASAP and I'm also gonna install a throttle valve.

The starting pressure is normally about ~18-20 psi. I've seen it get as high as 30. I usually backwash about 28. Right now my filter is running about ~25 psi. I would have already backwashed but I'm afraid I'm losing sand everytime and also I heard that a "plugged" filter actually filters better. Also I can tell by looking at my return jets that there is plenty of flow. When the filter gets plugged you can't see the surface ripple.

Thanks for the advice on the wiring. I do all my own wiring and I do have a dedicated ground to the pump. I will make sure that the switch is grounded also. I might just get the timer instead.