Troubleshooting a Pool Cleaner Booster Pump

Most pressure side pool cleaners for residential swimming pools operate in conjunction with a booster pump that provides the necessary water pressure to propel the cleaner through the water allowing it to clean the pool efficiently. When the booster pump isn't working properly, the pool cleaner won't be getting the water pressure it needs to do it's job and the pool won't be staying clean.

A clear sign of a possible problem with the booster pump is an unusually dirty pool. You know your pool best and it'll probably be very obvious when you notice the pool cleaner isn't cleaning the way it normally does. Maybe it isn't moving at all, or it's moving through the water slower than normal. So at the first signs of a problem, take a few minutes to do some troubleshooting to find out if the pool cleaner booster pump is the source of the problem.

The first step in troubleshooting your pool cleaner problems is to make sure the booster pump is working properly. Keep in mind during this process that sufficient water pressure from the main pool pump is the key to successful booster pump operation and without it, the pool cleaner will not work as needed.

Manually turn on the pool equipment by overriding the existing pool timers. Now turn on the pool cleaner and simply observe it for a few minutes to make sure the cleaner is actually moving through the pool the way you expect.

If the pool cleaner IS working as expected:

Timer Problem - if the cleaner is working good when operated manually but the pool is staying dirty and you never notice the cleaner working during the normal filter cycle, the problem is probably just a timing problem. The pool cleaner booster pump timer should be programmed to run during the main pool pump operating cycle, in other words when the main pool pump is ON. Remember that the booster pump gets its water supply from the main pool pump. If the pool cleaner booster pump is running and the main pool pump is off, not only will the pool cleaner not work properly because of a lack of water supply, but there is also a risk that the booster pump will run dry and be damaged.

When wired properly, the pool cleaner should ONLY be able to come on when the main pump is on. If one of the timers is not working properly OR the pool timers get out of sync, the problem could be as simple as the pool cleaner not coming on each day when you think it is. Double check the timers to make sure the pool cleaner booster pump is programmed to turn on while the main pool pump is operating. If it is set up to operate outside of the main pool pump daily cycle, the cleaner won't work properly, the booster pump could be damaged, and you'll be wasting money on the energy bill.

If the pool cleaner IS NOT working as expected:

Booster Pump Not Working - if the booster pump is turned on but isn't working, the first check is the circuit breaker. It could have tripped and may just need to be reset. If that isn't the problem and you can't get the pump to turn on, the booster pump probably needs to be replaced.

Find the lowest prices on Pool Cleaner Booster Pumps.

Lack of Water Supply to the Booster Pump - the booster pump will only work properly when it has a sufficient water supply provided by the main pool pump. But even if the main pool pump and booster pump are coming on at the proper times, there are several reasons why the water supply can still be insufficient to operate the pool cleaner. A dirty filter or clogged skimmer or pump baskets can restrict water flow enough to stop the pool cleaner from getting the water pressure it needs to operate properly.

Test to make sure there is good water pressure getting to the pool cleaner by carefully removing the pool cleaner from the pool while it is operating. Make sure to wear eye protection and point any water streams coming from the cleaner away from your body so you don't get sprayed. You can pinch the hose to control the water pressure to the cleaner while doing this test.

Booster Pump Isn't the Problem - It's the Pool Cleaner - if the booster pump is coming on as expected and you find there IS sufficient water flow getting to the pool cleaner, the source of the problem is most likely not the booster pump but the pool cleaner itself. Call a local pool service professional or the local pool store for help or search our article resources for more specific articles on troubleshooting your brand of pool cleaner.<

The engine to most pressure side pool cleaners for residential pools is the booster pump. When it is not working properly, your pool won't be staying clean and it will quickly become very obvious. Following these troubleshooting tips should get you pointed in the right direction and either identify or eliminate the pool cleaner booster pump as the cause of the problem.

If you do need to replace your Pool Cleaner Booster Pump? Make sure to shop for the lowest prices on the most popular and dependable booster pumps currently on the market for residential pool applications.

Polaris Pool Cleaner Booster Pump

Pentair Pool Cleaner Booster Pump

Hayward Pool Cleaner Booster Pump

 

 

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