Wanda the Whale - no pressure to run

[longhornpete]

We just put up a Bestway 18' x 48" above ground pool and the Flowclear 1,500-gal filter pump (cartridge) that came with it. We also bought a new Wanda the Whale to clean it. Plugged one of the inlets to get her enough pressure and we got her to work well for one pass across the pool. Then she got clogged but once we cleaned out the leaves we can no longer get enough pressure to show up in the pressure gauge. Hoses, input and pump clear of debris.

1. Can we even run this vacuum with this pump? If so, what else should we look at to make it work?
2. If the pump is the problem, any suggestions on a better one without going overboard?

Thanks!

 

[longhornpete]

please help

 

[reggiehammond]

Without cleaner attached, do you have good flow to confirm the filter isn't actually the problem?

 

[longhornpete]

Without cleaner attached, do you have good flow to confirm the filter isn't actually the problem?

Not sure how to measure the flow but, yes, you can feel and see water being pushed out of the return.

 

[1poolman1]

We just put up a Bestway 18' x 48" above ground pool and the Flowclear 1,500-gal filter pump (cartridge) that came with it. We also bought a new Wanda the Whale to clean it. Plugged one of the inlets to get her enough pressure and we got her to work well for one pass across the pool. Then she got clogged but once we cleaned out the leaves we can no longer get enough pressure to show up in the pressure gauge. Hoses, input and pump clear of debris.

1. Can we even run this vacuum with this pump? If so, what else should we look at to make it work?
2. If the pump is the problem, any suggestions on a better one without going overboard?

Thanks!

The short answer is no, you can't run a cleaner, successfully, with that highly over-rated filter system. The cleaner you bought is a suction, vacuum, cleaner. One pass and it fills the tiny cartridge with dirt. The pump that is a part of the assembly can no longer move enough water through the filter to provide enough flow to move the cleaner. Even on an open line (no restrictions) the pump might be able to move the 25GPM it is rated as moving. Put a cartridge after it and a suction cleaner in front and it just can't do the job. Sorry.

 

[longhornpete]

The short answer is no, you can't run a cleaner, successfully, with that highly over-rated filter system. The cleaner you bought is a suction, vacuum, cleaner. One pass and it fills the tiny cartridge with dirt. The pump that is a part of the assembly can no longer move enough water through the filter to provide enough flow to move the cleaner. Even on an open line (no restrictions) the pump might be able to move the 25GPM it is rated as moving. Put a cartridge after it and a suction cleaner in front and it just can't do the job. Sorry.

Thanks for the clarification!