Pressure Gauge Stuck @ 0 psi After Cleaning Grids

jayinc1 · Postby **jayinc1** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 08:01

i have an inground pool, 15000 Gallon capacity with a DE filter that usually runs very nicely at 15-25psi. it was time to clean up the grids after psi went above 10psi north of the initial start up psi. after assembly now the pressure gauge will not move from zero position. the water flow is great though. i have done this 3 times prior and never had an issue like this. the manual says to ensure there are no blackages on return pipes, etc. i checked all that and it's all good. the housing is in good shape with no cracks and the center clamp is tight with no leakage. the air pressure release gauge is tight after releasing all air until there was a steady stream flow. i am lost on what could be the problem. what else can i check or do to resolve this?

Nautilus Pool Pump 48
Fiber Clear filter mediume
In ground pool 15000gallon

Postby **mas985** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 10:21

Is water comming out of the returns? If so, it could be just be a bad gauge. Try tapping it when the pump is on. If it moves, then it was probably stuck. Eitherway it may need to be replaced.

jayinc1 · Postby **jayinc1** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 10:49

yes the water is greatly coming out of the flow. i will tap it later today when i get home and see what happens. what buffles me is the gauge never had an issue before and was working to the day/hour i decided to open up the filter. naturally i wouldn't want to have a serious underlying problem here though. so i haven't been running the pool for the last 4 days. should i anyways just run it - is there a risk - or first make sure this issue is fixed?

Postby **mas985** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 14:32

Another possibility is that something (DE?) got stuck inside the inlet to the pressure gauge when you did your cleaning. That will prevent it from reading as well. You can unscrew it and look inside the tiny hole to see if there is anything in there. Sometimes a blast from the hose or toothpick can clean it out.

jayinc1 · Postby **jayinc1** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 20:26

it works now after after tapping on the gauge. thanx for your help.

my startup psi started and is holding steady @ 6PSI is that unusually too low?

Postby **mas985** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 20:45

Hard to say what is normal pressure knowing more about your setup. Pump size, pipe size, run lengths ect. But if the pool never ran at that low of a pressure, then it could still be a problem with the gauge. I would remove it and see if you can clean it out.

jayinc1 · Postby **jayinc1** » Sat 03 Jul, 2010 21:23

good i idea - i will remove and clean the thing.
fyi the lst startup had been at 9psi (about 6wks ago) & rose to 22psi. before that it had started at 15psi but i don't remember where it maxed out at - i guess about 30psi. i have noticed a reducing trend with initial psi. i don't know if it means anything? the pool was really dirty with a lot of silt and gravel.

jayinc1 · Postby **jayinc1** » Mon 05 Jul, 2010 02:16

PRESTO PROBLEM SOLVED! Thanx mas985. for your suggestions. i believe now the pressure gauge is giving the correct reading - 12psi seems just about right for startup psi. the pool is running ok and is as happy as a clam!

: Startup Psi = 12; 1.001.jpg (34.92 KiB) Viewed 12820 times

: Happy Pool!; 2.002.jpg (36.89 KiB) Viewed 12804 times