Bestway AGP, sand filter high pressure with solar heater

[charles_slc]

Hello,

Just picked up the Bestway 18'x9' steeal frame pool from costco.

Came with a sand filter, 58401E, and a solar heater.

The manual for the sand filter says the pressure should be less than 0.45 bar (6.5psi). (And if higher to do a flush)

Without the solar heater hooked in, I was seeing about 0.35bar (5psi). With the solar heater hooked in, I'm seeing 0.6 bar (8.5psi). And considerably less water flow from the output port in the pool.

Per the directions, the solar heater is connected between the pump output and the port back to the pool.

Doesn't seem right to me, but I'm not sure what to do about it...other than removing the solar heater, which I'd rather not do until the water warms up some.

But if I'm hurting the pump or pool, I'll take it out now.

Thank you!
Charles

 

[CJadamec]

The pool is fine you aren't hurting anything with the solar heater.

The solar heater adds restriction to the flow of water so the pump has to work harder to move the water through it whish is why the pressure goes up in the filter. The 8.5 psi now becomes you "clean" filter pressure with the solar heater in place. I would do a backwash on the filter when it reads 9.5 psi.

 

[Carleyk]

I just bought the same pool with a solar heater and am having the same issue. The skimmer also doesn’t suck the water in like I’d expect it to.