Pentair Meteor Owner’s Manual

Meteor® Filter System Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Table of Contents

SECTION I. Pump Safety Instructions ........................................................................................... 2

SECTION II. How Your Filter Works ............................................................................................ 2

SECTION III. Installation ................................................................................................................ 3

SECTION IV. Initial Start Up .......................................................................................................... 4

SECTION V. Cleaning Frequency .................................................................................................. 4

SECTION VI. Filter and Control Valve Functions ............................................................................. 5

SECTION VII. Filter Backwash Procedures ..................................................................................... 5

SECTION VIII. Winterizing the Filter ................................................................................................. 5

SECTION IX. Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................ 6

SECTION X. Technical Data .......................................................................................................... 7

SECTION XI. Pump Instructions ..................................................................................................... 8

WARNING

Before installing this product, read and follow all warning notices and instructions accompanying this system. Failure to
follow safety warnings and instructions can result in severe injury, death, or property damage.
Call [phone] for additional free copies of these instructions.

Important Notice

Attention Installer.

This manual contains important information about the installation, operation and safe use of this product.
This information should be given to the owner/operator of this equipment.

Pentair Pool Products

1620 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, NC 27330 • [phone]
10951 West Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021 • [phone]

Rev. E 2-22-02 1 P/N 99223000

Section 1. Pump Safety Instructions

When installing and using this electrical equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:

1. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

2. WARNING - To reduce the risk of injury, do not permit children to use this product unless they are closely supervised at all
times.

3. WARNING - Risk of Electric Shock. Connect only to a grounding type receptacle protected by a ground-fault circuit­interrupter (GFCI). Contact a qualified electrician if you cannot verify that the receptacle is protected by a GFCI.

4. Do not bury cord. Locate cord to minimize abuse from lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, and other equipment.

5. WARNING - To reduce the risk of electric shock, replace damaged cord immediately.

6. WARNING - To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not use extension cord to connect unit to electric supply; provide a
properly located outlet.

7. CAUTION - For continued protection against possible electric shock, this unit is to be mounted to the base in accordance
with the installation instructions.

8. CAUTION - If this pump is equipped with a 25 ft. cord, it is for use with storable pools only. Do not use with permanently
installed pools. A storable pool is constructed so that it may be readily disassembled for storage and reassembled to its
original integrity. A permanently installed pool is constructed in or on the ground or in a building such that it cannot be
readily disassembled for storage.

9. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

WARNING

This filter operates under pressure. With the valve clamped properly and operated without air in the system, this filter
will operate in a safe manner. Air entering the filter and the valve not clamped correctly can cause the valve to be
blown off, which could result in severe personal injury and/or property damage.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not use an extension cord. Only connect to a GFCI protected receptacle. Failure to
do so could result in an electrical shock to pool users, installers, or others which can result in serious personal injury or death.

Section II. How Your Filter Works

Your high rate sand filter is designed to produce clear, sparkling water and operate for years with a minimum of maintenance when
installed, operated and maintained in accordance with these instructions.

Your filter uses special filter sand to remove dirt particles from the water. Dirt is collected in the filter by the sand bed as water flows
through the filter. Water enters the filter through the valve on top of the filter and is distributed evenly downward across the sand bed.
The dirt is removed by the sand and the clean water flows through the piping (laterals) at the bottom of the filter, up through the center
pipe, back to the valve on top of the filter, where the clean water is returned to the pool through the piping or hoses.

After a period of time, dirt will accumulate in the filter causing a resistance to the flow of water through the filter. This resistance results
in a diminished flow of water and a rise in the pressure of the filter. Eventually the filter sand will have removed so much dirt and the
filter pressure risen to such a point that it will be necessary to clean (backwash) your filter.

By setting the valve on top of the filter to the backwash position, the flow of water is automatically reversed through the filter so that
the flow of water is directed to the bottom of the filter, up through the sand bed flushing, the dirt and debris out through the waste line.
Once the backwash procedure is complete, the valve is manually returned to its filter position to resume normal filtration.

The filter’s function is to remove suspended matter from the water and does not sanitize the water. For sparkling clear water the water
must be sanitized as well as balanced. Pool chemistry is a specialized area, and you should consult your local pool service specialist for
specific details. In general, proper pool sanitation requires a free chlorine level of 1 to 2 PPM and a PH range of 7.2 to 7.6.

WARNING

Failure to operate your filter system or inadequate filtration can cause poor water clarity obstructing visibility in your pool. Poor
water clarity may obscure objects in the water which while swimming and diving could cause severe personal injury or death.
Never swim in a pool with poor water clarity.

P/N 99223000 2 Rev. E 2-22-02

Section III. Installation

To install this filter system, you will need the following simple tools: Screwdriver, pliers and ½ in. wrench.

1. Carefully remove the equipment from the carton and check for any evidence of damage due to rough handling or shipping.
If any of the equipment is damaged, immediately notify the organization from where the equipment was purchased.

2. Provide space and lighting for routine maintenance access. Locate the system in close proximity to the pool as listed in the
National Electrical Code or local electrical codes and any caution or warning labels on pump.

3. One needs to be able to stand clear of the filter when starting the pump.

4. This filter system should be mounted on a level concrete slab, preferably concrete poured in a form or on a platform
constructed of block or brick.

5. Position the base in relationship to the return fitting and skimmer on your pool. Position the filter tank on the base. Place the
pump in the mounting position and align with the set of molded in nuts. Secure pump with 2 bolts.

6. Media - Your sand filter uses a #20 grade silica filter sand for its media (.45 - .55mm). It should be free of all limestone or clay.
Most pool supply and building material stores carry silica sand. See Table 1 for the appropriate amounts of silica sand for your
filter.

7. Install the sand guide in the top of the filter tank and fill the tank about half full of water. Pour the silica sand into the top of
the filter tank slowly, so that the weight does not damage the laterals in the bottom of the tank.

8. After filling the filter tank with the appropriate amount of silica sand, remove the sand guide and wash away any loose sand
from the opening of the filter tank.

9. Be sure that all sealing surfaces are clean on the filter tank and the valve.
Apply a light coating of silicone based lubricant to the gasket of the valve
and place the valve over the opening in the top of the filter tank so that the
center pipe slips into the bore of the valve.

10. Position the valve, (item #1 on page 7), so that the inlet port is facing the same
direction as the inlet port of the pump. Valve ports are labeled to insure proper
connections.

11. Install the valve clamp halves, (item #3 on page 7), over the flanges of the
filter tank and the valve. Ensure that the valve clamp halves are securely
installed over BOTH flanges before attaching and tightening the bolts.
Tighten both bolts until both clamp halves touch.

12. Attach hose assembly, (item #17 on page 7), to pump using the quick connect nut, (item #16 on page 7), on the bottom end of
assembly. Screw threaded elbow adapter, (item #15 on page 7), into inlet port of valve, using Teflon tape on threads, tighten a
max. of one turn past hand tight. Connect hose assembly to the adapter and secure with a hose clamp. Tighten the clamp with
a screwdriver.

13. Screw hose adapter, (item #19 on page 7), {included in hose kit}, into inlet port of pump, using Teflon tape on the threads and
tightening no more than one turn past hand tight. Connect flex hose to the adapter and secure with hose clamp. Attach other
end of flex hose to the skimmer on the pool wall. Use the adapter and hose clamp provided in the hose kit.

14. Screw hose adapter, (item in hose kit), into the outlet port of the valve, attach the second flex hose and secure with a hose
clamp. Connect the other end to an adapter screwed into the return fitting on the pool wall. Secure with a hose clamp.

15. Install the pressure gauge into the valve using Teflon tape.

16. Install clear sight glass fitting, called the backwash fitting into the control valve port marked backwash. An O-ring is provided
for sealing, requiring only hand tightening. This sight glass is supplied with 1.5 in. NPT male thread on the outside end for
easy connection to a drain pipe.

17. To use 1½ in. flex hose for drain, connect the grey hose adapter to the end of the sight glass and secure the flex hose to the
barbed end of the adapter with a hose clamp.

Model Max. Filtration Amount

18" Meteor 1.63 sq. ft. 65-100 lbs.

20" Meteor 2.0 sq. ft. 100-150 lbs.

22" Meteor 2.5 sq. ft. 150-200 lbs.

Table 1.

Area of Sand

DO NOT OPERATE THIS SYSTEM ABOVE MAXIMUM OPERATING PRESSURE OF THE VALVE OR FILTER.

WARNING

This filter operates under pressure. With the valve clamped properly and operated without air in the system, this
filter will operate in a safe manner. Air entering the filter and the valve not clamped correctly can cause the valve to
be blown off, which could cause severe personal injury and/or property damage.

Rev. E 2-22-02 3 P/N 99223000

Section IV. Initial Start Up

1. Be sure the correct amount of Silica filter sand is in the tank and that all connections have been made and are secure.

2. Check that the backwash is open so that water is free to flow from the pool and out the backwash line. Set the control valve to Backwash
position.

WARNING

This filter operates under pressure. With the valve clamped properly and operated without air in the system, this filter
will operate in a safe manner. Air entering the filter and the valve not clamped correctly can cause the valve to be
blown off, which could cause severe personal injury and/or property damage.

CAUTION

Always turn pump off before changing valve positions. Changing valve positions while the pump is running can damage the
control valve, which may cause personal injury or property damage.

3. Stand clear of the filter. Prime and start pump according to the pump instructions allowing the filter tank to fill with water.
Once the water flow is steady out of the waste line, run the pump for at least two minutes. This initial backwashing of the filter
is recommended to remove any impurities of fine sand particles in the Silica sand media.

4. Turn the pump off and set valve to rinse position. Ensure that all pool suction and return lines are open so that water is free to
flow from the pool to waste. Stand clear of filter and start the pump.

5. Run the pump for at least two minutes.

6. Turn the pump off and set valve to filter position. Ensure that all pool suction and return lines are open so that water is free to
flow from and to the pool. Stand clear of filter and start the pump.

7. Your filter has now started its filtering cycle. You should check that water is returning to the pool and take note of the
operating pressure. My original starting pressure is ____________ PSI with the filter clean.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the pump and filter and for proper operation of the system, clean pump strainer and skimmer baskets
regularly.

8. Check the system for water leaks. If a leak is found, shut pump off before correcting the leak.

9. As the filter removes dirt and impurities from the pool water, the accumulation will cause the filter pressure to rise and flow to
diminish. When the pressure gauge reading is 5 to 7 PSI higher than the clean filter reading noted above, it is time to backwash
the filter.

Section V. Cleaning Frequency

1. Cleaning frequency will vary from pool to pool and with other factors such as weather condition, heavy rains, dust, pollen,
bather load, and water chemistry. Check the pressure gauge reading on a regular basis and when the pressure gauge reading
increases 5 to 7 PSI over the initial clean filter reading, it is time to backwash your filter.

2. It is important NOT to backwash the filter solely on a timed basis such as every two days. It is also important to note that
backwashing too frequently actually causes poor filtration.

P/N 99223000 4 Rev. E 2-22-02