Best way 12x22 pool came with a solar heating pad. I can already tell this thing isn't going to do much for warming our pool up. Out of curiosity, I've noticed the 2 "b" valves which suck water out of the pool, I can barely feel any water being sucked into them. Is this a result of the solar water mat? I thought the b valves would suck in things like flies or any other little things that were in the pool, but it's not clearly as I can't feel any suction from it. Just wondering if this solar mat is doing more damage than good.
Solar heater mat and "b" valve suction power
- Thread starter jcrew6311
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,776
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I don't know how the b valves are designed but all pool need to be VGBA compliant to not trap anyone with the suction. So you are unlikely to feel any suction. Read Safety Drains VGBA - Further Reading
The solar mat will definitely reduce the flow rate for your system as it will increase the pump head pressure (which basically just means that the pump will have to work harder to push water through the mat). However, as Allen said, even without the mat you are unlikely to feel a significant amount of suction from the drains.
No matter how powerful the pump is dead bugs and leaves and such will settle to the bottom of the pool and you will need to use a vacuum or net periodically to remove them.
No matter how powerful the pump is dead bugs and leaves and such will settle to the bottom of the pool and you will need to use a vacuum or net periodically to remove them.