Dirty Filter Element

Another item that comes up from time to time is a dirty filter. Your filter has a polyester cartridge element inside of it. This is used to filter the water. It needs to be cleaned from time to time. Basically you want to clean this element when your filter gauge jumps 3-4 psi higher than when it first started. In most cases, this gauge will start out at 0, or under 5 when you first start up a new pool. When it gets 3-4 points higher is when it needs to be cleaned. As it gets dirty, it may create back pressure on the heater, causing it to turn off. To remedy this, follow the next steps.

1. Turn off the circuit breaker that feeds the electricity to your system. This resets the internal sensors. Leave it off for at least ten minutes.
2. Close the gate valves to block the water flow.
3. Open the tall black filter canister from the top. You will notice a large Ring-Lok that can be loosened and removed.
4. Remove the black top of the filter housing, exposing the polyester filtering element.
5. Remove this element from the filter. Take care as water will spill out as you remove it.
6. This element can be cleaned using a garden hose. Once cleaned, it can be placed back into the filter, then capped off.
7. Be sure when replacing the filter top, to place your body weight down on it to make sure it seals correctly. Otherwise, it will leak when you start up again.
8. Then, reattach the Ring-Lok to secure the top in place.
9. Open the gate valves allowing the water to flow again.
10. Turn the circuit breaker back on. Then turn the pump on only. This is the left position on the toggle switch - or the position “l” on the switch (depending on the model).
11. Let the pump run for ten minutes. If everything runs fine, then switch over to the heat mode and let it do what it does.

Clogged Filter Element

Even if you are keeping your filter cartridge element clean, it can start to build up body oil over time. It is normal for a therapy pool user to sweat while using the pool. This body oil can collect on the element. Though the cartridge may look white and clean, the pores of the element may be clogged with body oil. This requires a cleaning solution to remove the body oil. This cleaning solution can be purchased at any local pool supply. Just ask for a polyester cartridge cleaning solution.

How can you know if this is the case? How can you know if this is the case? If after cleaning a cartridge, your heater shuts off again, it could be because the pores are clogged, which creates greater PSI build-up. When the PSI changes, either up or down, the internal sensor is designed to shut itself off. This is to prevent the heater from heating still water, or heating water in the rare event one of the hoses pops off.

To remove oil build-up on your element, follow the steps below.

1. Turn off the circuit breaker that feeds the electricity to your system. This resets the internal sensors. Leave it off for at least ten minutes.
2. Close the gate valves to block the water flow.
3. Open the tall black filter canister from the top. You will notice a large Ring-Lok that can be loosened and removed.
4. Remove the black top of the filter housing, exposing the polyester filtering element.
5. Remove this element from the filter. Take care as water will spill out as you remove it.
6. Clean the element using the cartridge cleaning solution. Once cleaned, it can be placed back into the filter, then capped off.
7. Be sure when replacing the filter top, to place your body weight down on it to make sure it seals correctly. Otherwise, it will leak when you start up again.
8. Then, reattach the Ring-Lok to secure the top in place.
9. Open the gate valves allowing the water to flow again.
10. Turn the circuit breaker back on. Then turn the pump on only. This is the left position on the toggle switch - or the position “l” on the switch (depending on the model).
11. Let the pump run for ten minutes. If everything runs fine, then switch over to the heat mode and let it do what it does.

Buying a New Element

The new cartridge element that came with your pool is design to last for up to 1-2 years of normal continuous use. It is very cleanable, but you may elect to replace it. We do have cartridge elements available for purchase online or you can go to your local pool supply and request a replacement element using the following reference code: Unicel No. C-4349.

When replacing your filter, follow the steps below.

1. Turn off the circuit breaker that feeds the electricity to your system. This resets the internal sensors. Leave it off for at least ten minutes.
2. Close the gate valves to block the water flow.
3. Open the tall black filter canister from the top. You will notice a large Ring-Lok that can be loosened and removed.
4. Remove the black top of the filter housing, exposing the polyester filtering element.
5. Remove the old element from the filter. Take care as water will spill out as you remove it.
6. Place the new element back into the filter, then capped off.
7. Be sure when replacing the filter top, to place your body weight down on it to make sure it seals correctly. Otherwise, it will leak when you start up again.
8. Then, reattach the Ring-Lok to secure the top in place.
9. Open the gate valves allowing the water to flow again.
10. Turn the circuit breaker back on. Then turn the pump on only. This is the left position on the toggle switch - or the position “l” on the switch (depending on the model).
11. Let the pump run for ten minutes. If everything runs fine, then switch over to the heat mode and let it do what it does.