Pressure

[wilbur14]

I have a problem with air in the pot strainer when running the pump. It only happens when I have both skimmers open and the main drain. I have a d.e. filter and when the pressure is at about 22 I get a lot of air. When I close the skimmer closest to the pump about 1/2 and the main drain about 1/2 it all clears up.

This morning I decided to use my "Circulators " on the returns. Haven't used them in a long time but the water seems to be a little cloudy and I am sure the bottom water is not getting filtered enough since I have the main drains closed. When I put on the Circulators the pressure goes up to about 28 to 30 and I can open all 3 valves, the 2 skimmers and the main with no air.

Why is air getting thru when the pressure is at 22? I might add the water coming out of the returns about put a hole thru your body if you get too close.

[PoolDoc]

Not quite sure what "circulators" are . . .

[wilbur14]

circulators are these devices that screw into your returns and go round and and sweep the return water across the bottom and sides of the pool. keeps the dirt off the floor and sides.

The return water is basically operating them.

My concern is why when the pressure gauge runs at 30 to 32 the air stream stops when all three valves are open.

When i reinstall the eyeball diverters the pressure goes to 22 and all this air returns in the pot strainer and out the returns. I have to close the main half way and one skimmer half way. There is a crackling noise in the multi port valve when all of this air is coming thru.

I replaced all o rings tightened all connections..could it be in the multiport valve..it is a sta rite

[Watermom]

Wilbur, I wish I could advise you on your pressure question, but I can't. Someone should be able to though. I would like to ask that you post a picture of the circulators when you have a minute. I'm curious to see what they are, plus it might help someone answer your pressure question, too.

You can either use Photobucket. Flickr, Picasa or the like or email pics to poolforum@gmail.com and reference the URL of this thread.

[PoolDoc]

circulators are these devices that screw into your returns and go round and and sweep the return water across the bottom and sides of the pool. keeps the dirt off the floor and sides.

Without photos or catalog info, I can't be 100% sure, but most devices like that generate a huge amount of back pressure, and waste a lot of your circulation. (For reference: in-floor pressure side pool cleaning systems are HUGE energy wasters!)

[BigDave]

Is it possible that you are pulling so much water through the skimmer that you're pulling air in as well? Is the water level low? Is there a vortex in the skimmer? What happens if you shut the skimmer and open the main drain all the way?

[wilbur14]

If I close the skimmers and have just the main drain I get all that air. The water coming out of my returns were never as hard as it has been this year. Again, when the pressure starts to register in the 30's from the 20's it seems to clear up. It just seems like the water pressure coming out of the returns is way too strong.......the circulators should not be a concern, just mentioned I put them on and when you do the pressure on the filter goes up because as you say it causes a lot of back pressure. If I dont have them on and run the pump for so long and the pressure goes up because of being dirty , the same thing happens, the air dissapears.