Pool and Spa mode One Pump

[kohlzor]

Sorry for the Noob question, but I have one pump that controls the pool and attached spa. When spa mode is on the 5 or so jets in the spa start working but it looks like pool filter stop operating. (Also have a blower which we barely turn on)
Basically is it not possible to run Spa mode along with pool mode of one pump? Additionally when I engage Pool mode the Spa valve closes and Pool ones go into the open position. If I manually opened the SPA valve during this time would that be an issue?
I also have a Sta-Rite heater and wonder if both valves should always be open to give enough water flow to the heater.

 

[mknauss]

When you are in SPA mode, the valving is set to the Spa suction and return. So the pool water is isolated from the spa, that way you can heat just the spa.
In Pool mode, you should have suction from the pool, and return primarily to the pool, but most likely some to the spa.

Can you post some pictures of what is concerning you?

 

[Richard320]

The question is why would you want to?

Spa mode draws water from the spa, heats it, and returns it to the spa. If you tried to heat both the pool and spa to spa temperatures, better start last week.

Look closely at your plumbing. There is probably a makeup valve that bleeds some water from the pool to the spa to cause it to overflow and keep the water fresh. Or it's programmed to not shut the valve completely which does the same. In pool mode there should still be some water draining from spa to pool.

 

[kohlzor]

Thanks that, makes sense, the makeup valve (if there) would basically trigger spillover mode correct? The system automatically triggers spillover twice a day and I am assuming that's for the water to be fresh as you described.
The reason for my question was mainly due to troubleshooting the cycling on my Sta-Rite pool heater which is consistently cycling so I was trying to confirm that enough water flow was reaching to it.