Waterway Filter 1 1/2" Bypass Valve 600-1000

[Spoiledrotten]

I just found this floating in the filter and not sure how it's supposed to be installed or if it's needed. Any advice?

[Tman122]

It is likely supposed to be at the bottom of your filter in the pipe that feeds your pump to allow the bypass system to work when your pump is on high. But how did it get loose is the question. I have never seen one of those come out? Is it like a flapper?

[Spoiledrotten]

Thanks for your reply, Tman122. To answer your question, it looks exactly like the one in the link below. Sorry, but I couldn't get my photobucket account to work this morning.


http://www.hottubwarehouse.com/Waterway-Filter-Bypass-Valve-600-1001-p/600-1000.htm

[Tman122]

Yes that belongs in the suction pipe at the bottom of your filter canister.

[Spoiledrotten]

Thanks! I'll try to figure out how to secure it in that pipe.

[Tman122]

It needs to go upstream of your filter canister. When your pump is on low it draws all of the water through the filter because this valve is closed. When the pump is switched to high this valve will open and allow some water to bypass the filter and be drawn from the bypass in the bottom of your tub.

[Spoiledrotten]

Thanks, Tman. Good info.

[Tman122]

It also works to prevent a loss of water to your pump if your filter gets real dirty.

[Spoiledrotten]

I installed it in an intake just beside the intake that the filter goes in. The intake I put the bypass valve in has a strainer protecting the opening. When I unscrewed the strainer, I put the valve down into the hole. It seems to be the correct place as the valve fit perfectly and stopped once it was down just far enough for the spring to clear the strainer. I'll post a pic or two of where I put it to see if you think it's in the correct spot. I think you can even see the valve in the intake.

[Tman122]

That makes sense, but how did it come out?

[Spoiledrotten]

I don't have an answer to that question. It was lose, and I believe it was under that strainer, if I recall correctly. The bypass valve does have little clip on around the collar of it but it didn't seem to snap into place. This just seemed to be the most practical place for that valve.

[Chas]

If you had to unscrew a screen to fit the valve, I really don't think it could have come out by itself. I do, however, think it could very well belong in the pipe under the filter, and that it might have come out once when you had the filter off for cleaning. If it goes there, it would serve as a one-way check valve, or it could drop into a T fitting to do what Roger said above: bias the flow towards the filter on low-speed, and allow extra flow on high speed. It could also keep water from flowing backwards through the filter when a circ pump or other pump comes on, or when the main pump shuts off.

 

[Spoiledrotten]

Chas,  acting as a check valve makes a great deal of sense; keeping the water from backing through the filter, spreading the junk back into the water.
I'm trying to think back on when I first saw it and can't remember now whether I had to remove that screen or not. It seems like I did remove it to get the valve. I just didn't think anything about it until I started reading threads about the water flow on this forum.