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Back to OPTIFLO Above Ground Pool Pumps |
HOW YOUR PUMP WORKS
Your centrifugal pump is designed to operate for years with proper maintenance. The pump housing, seal plate, hair and lint pot and impeller are made from high quality thermoplastic materials. These materials have been selected for their corrosion resistance nature. When installed, operated and maintained in accordance with these instructions, your pump will provide years of service.
Your centrifugal pump is driven by an electric motor. The motor is directly attached to the pump impeller. As the electric motor turns it causes the impeller to turn and this causes the water to flow. The water flows into the hair and lint pot inlet and through the basket assembly to pre-strain large particles. The flow then enters the center of the pump housing. If the pump does not contain the hair and lint pot assembly, the flow simply enters the center of the pump housing. The flow goes through the impeller and out the pump discharge port.
2-Speed Pump Models:
The performance of this pump will be the same at high speed as the same model single speed pump, hydraulically. At low speed the pump will produce one half the flow and 1/4 the pressure of high speed. However, the pressure required by the filter and pool plumbing at half flow will also be greatly reduced due to much lower system friction. These lower friction losses result in GREAT energy savings. At one half flow (low speed) the electrical energy savings are 60% for equal amounts of circulated water.
Turn the motor to low speed for quiet operation and electrical cost savings. Since the pump should be operated mostly at low speed for cost savings, minor adjustments may be required in the automatic chlorine dispenser, the skimmers and the heater due to the lower flow. (See the equipment manufacturer's operation manuals.)
Pool owners should use high speed for vacuuming the pool, quick filtering action, priming the system, and to keep up with heavy bathing loads.
INSTALLATION
1. Check carton for any evidence of damage due to rough handling in shipment. If carton or any pump components are damaged, notify freight carrier immediately.
2. After inspection, carefully remove pump from carton.
3. The pump should be secured to a flat solid foundation, high enough to prevent flooding of the motor. A sheltered location is best, being sure to allow for adequate ventilation.
4. Provide space and lighting for routine maintenance access. Do not mount electrical controls directly over pump.
5. The pump should be installed as near to the pool or spa as practical. Avoid installing the pump above the water level. Suction lifts of more than 1/2 foot will cause very long priming times, and potentially damage the pump.
6. The location should provide for adequate floor drainage to prevent flooding.
7. When installing your pump, remember to provide valves or other means to disconnect the pump suction and discharge for servicing.
8. Never store pool chemicals within 10 ft. of your pool filter and pump. Pool chemicals are corrosive and should always be stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated area.
9. Assemble piping and pipe fittings to pump and valve. All piping must conform to local and state plumbing and sanitary codes.
10. Use Teflon tape or pipe sealants on all male connections ofpipe and fittings. Use only pipe sealant compounds suited for plastic pipe. Support pipe to prevent strains on filter, pump or valve. DO NOT USE PETROLEUM BASED PRODUCTS.
11. Avoid over tightening the pipe threads when connecting fittings to the pump. Proper procedure is to apply a pipe sealant to the thread and then install hand tight plus 1 1/2 turns. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
12. Long piping runs and elbows restrict flow. For best efficiency use the fewest possible fittings, large diameter pipe (at least 1 1/2") & locate equipment as close to the pool as possible. The pump suction line should not be smaller than the pipe size on the inlet of the pump.
13 It is essential that the suction line be free of air leaks and air traps.
14. Suction fittings must conform to ASME/ANSI A 112.19.8 M Standards. Use double suction fittings.
15. The maximum operating pressure of this unit is 25 pounds per square inch. Never operate this pump above this pressure.
16. Wiring of this pump should be performed by a licensed electrician in accordance with the National Electrical Code or your local electrical code.
17. The pump motor must be wired for the proper voltage in accordance with the wiring diagram supplied with the motor. Wiring the motor with the incorrect supply voltage will cause damage to the motor and void the warranty.
18. The wiring to the motor should be kept as short as possible and large enough NOT to cause an excessive voltage drop. Use the wire size table as a guide in selecting minimum conductor size.
19. Install, ground and bond wire according to local or national Electric Code requirements.
20. Permanently ground motor. Use green terminal provided under motor canopy or acess plate; use size and type wire required by code. Connect motor ground terminal to electrical service ground. On cord connected circuits, check for proper grounding.
21. The National Electrical Code Article 680-22 requires that the motor be electrically bonded to appropriate permanently installed pool or spa/hot tub structure by a solid copper conductor no smaller than No. 8 AWG. Bonding wire should be connected from the accessible wire connector on the motor shell to all metal parts of the swimming pool, spa or hot tub structure and to all electrical equipment, metal conduit and metal piping within 5 feet of the inside walls of a swimming pool, spa or hot tub. A grounding lug is provided on the exterior of the motor shell for this purpose.
INITIAL START-UP
1. Relieve all system pressure and open all air bleeders on total hydraulic system prior to starting the pump. See filter owner's manual.
2. Ensure that all fittings, clamps, closures and couplings are tight and in accordance with equipment manufacturer's recommendations.
3. Open suction and discharge valving to allow free flow of water. On flooded suction pumps with strainer pot the water source is higher than the pump. The water will flow into the pump strainer pot and the pot will fill with water. On pumps without strainer pot the water will fill the pump housing.
4. On non-flooded suction systems the pot lid clamp will have to be removed by rotating the lid counter-clockwise to a stop and lifting the clamp.
5. The pump strainer pot should be filled with water up to suction opening on the pump.
6. It is good practice to lubricate the lid o-ring with silicone lubricant each time the lid is removed. The o-ring should be cleaned and inspected every time the strainer pot is opened.
7. The lid should be replaced on the pot by aligning the clamp ears with the slots on the strainer pot. Press the lid and clamp down and twist the clamp clockwise to engage.
8. The pump is now ready to prime. Turn the motor on and the pump will prime. The time to prime will depend on the suction lift and the distance and size of suction piping. Turn offpower if the pump does not prime within five minutes and refer to the Troubleshooting Guide section of this manual.
PUMP OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
The strainer basket in the pump should be inspected and cleaned twice each week. Remove the clear lid and the basket, and clean debris from basket. Inspect the lid o-ring; if damaged, replace. The pump seal requires no lubrication. Refer to motor service centers for motor servicing.
WINTERIZING PROCEDURE
1. Drain all water from pump housing and piping when freezing temperatures are expected. A drain plug is provided to drain the pump. If the pump has a strainer pot both the strainer drain plug and the housing drain plug should be removed. If pump has no strainer pot then only remove the housing plug.
2. If the pump can be removed and placed in an inside dry location this should be done.
3. For an outdoor unprotected location it is best to protect the equipment in a weatherproof enclosure.
4. Do not wrap the motor with plastic because condensation could form inside the motor.
5. In installation where the pump cannot be drained a 40% propylene glycol 60% water solution will protect to -50° F.
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