Factory issue with Pentair Triton II bulkheads?

[markarin]

Howdy! We had our in-ground pool built a year ago and have had zero problems with it since startup. Until early this month...the lower (low pressure) bulkhead fitting on our Triton II TR-100 filter developed a small crack that leaked under higher pressure from the pump. Slowing down the pump stopped the leak, but air would suck in and bubble out the return jets. Builder replaced it under warranty, but commented that ours was the third or fourth one they've seen happen in the area. All on filters that had been installed last year. Same lower bulkhead, same Pentair Triton II TR-100, same crack in the same place on the fitting...

So is this a thing elsewhere in the US?

 

[Texas Splash]

We can ask @1poolman1 if he's seen any such patterns in the field. By any chance did your tech try to correlate these fractures to last winter's freeze?

 

[1poolman1]

We can ask @1poolman1 if he's seen any such patterns in the field. By any chance did your tech try to correlate these fractures to last winter's freeze?

Not seen it here. Pentair has had some QC issues with some parts, like other companies, so that may be the problem.

 

[Bperry]

Howdy! We had our in-ground pool built a year ago and have had zero problems with it since startup. Until early this month...the lower (low pressure) bulkhead fitting on our Triton II TR-100 filter developed a small crack that leaked under higher pressure from the pump. Slowing down the pump stopped the leak, but air would suck in and bubble out the return jets. Builder replaced it under warranty, but commented that ours was the third or fourth one they've seen happen in the area. All on filters that had been installed last year. Same lower bulkhead, same Pentair Triton II TR-100, same crack in the same place on the fitting...

So is this a thing elsewhere in the US?

I had mine break. I just replaced it. And then the top one broke. But I assumed they broke from some kind of freeze damage over winter. Maybe there’s a trend.

 

[markarin]

We can ask @1poolman1 if he's seen any such patterns in the field. By any chance did your tech try to correlate these fractures to last winter's freeze?

No correlation they could tell...in all cases pumps were left running 24/7 during freeze events. Much better outcome than the February 2021 winter event with the days of power outages. Best we could come up with is either a manufacturing issue with fittings or a slight misalignment with the valve assembly. Although if it was a fitting defect, they should also be seeing this with the top bulkhead since it is the exact same part. I dunno... <shrug>

 

[duraleigh]

Triton TR-series filters seem to be, over the years, one of the best and most reliable of filters. My TR-140 is over 15 years old and has been bullet proof to this point.

 

[Bperry]

Just had another bulkhead fitting break today after opening the pool. Just noting for future reference