Filter Rinsing

[wmccall]

Can you say "shredded mess"?

Oh come on guys and gals, play along. There is a hint in another post that deals with another topic. Not sure if that is where my brainstorm came from or not.

txwillie

Well, I'm stuck in your mode, I use the filter rinse then just rinse the shit out of them, and then rinse it again an hour later.

Maybe you should talk to Steve and Dr. Spa here.  Steve came up with "The cover saver" if memory serves and Dr Spa sells it for him on his website.  Look under covers and lifters on rhtubs.com

[TimC]

I haven't tried it yet, but what about this

When you use a paint roller and want to clean it there is a tool that you can use to spin it.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1276935

I tried the idea out on a dry filter and with a medium nap roller cover on the spinner it fit perfectly snuggly into the center of my HotSpring Vanguard filter.

There is another gizmo that you attach to a hose and it is a circle that fits over the roller like a ring and forces water through the roller over the entire 360 degrees, you only need to move it up and down.   Now this would have to be enlarged to fit the circumference of the filter.

http://www.cornerhardware.com/item_271488/HomeRight/HomeRight/Roller-Cleaner/item.html

Just a couple of thoughts.

Tim

[Brewman]

Not sure if that squish ring paint roller would work all that well on a pleated filter.
I recently found out that the place I get my spa chems.
offers filter cleaning.  I didn't ask what they charged, but next time I may consider that, depending on how much is costs.  I think I pay about $7 for a bottle of filter cleaner.
Brewman

[UnderTheStars]

Brewman, be careful about taking filters to the dealer for cleaning.  I heard he takes them home & puts them in his dishwasher, and you never know what's been in there!

(hey, I was only kidding)

[windsurfdog]

Brewman, be careful about taking filters to the dealer for cleaning.  I heard he takes them home & puts them in his dishwasher, and you never know what's been in there!

(hey, I was only kidding)

Or, worse yet, maybe he swaps'em with the filters that Chas' brother-in-law brings in......

(Ok....everyone that misses Chas, raise your hand... )

[Brewman]

Boy, that's food for thought.

Good thing that I didn't mention that I've been getting my spa chems from the local Arctic dealer for a few months.  They are more conveniently located and a bit less expensive than my Sundance dealer.  

How does one raise their hand in a bb post?  
Consider mine raised.
Brewman

[Lori]

*HAND RAISED WAVING WILDLY*  

(That was for all of you so much taller than me!)

[txwillie]

Well UTS came the closest to my idea. The problem I see with rinsing the filters with a garden hose is, you are only hitting the outer surface. Nothing actually gets the stuff that is in the filter fabric itself. So, when you put your "clean" filers in, the first thing that happens is the pumps draw water thru and deposits what is in the membrane into the water. So you have to replicate that action outside the tub. First thought was to draw suction on the filters as would be in the spa piping system. Every thing I came up with was going to be a pain. I saw a post about garden hose filler filters and thought well hey, why not do that when rinsing the spa filters. So, after I sprayed things off, I put my hose end sprayer up to the suction end of the filter and let  'er go, basically back washing the filter and pushing water thru the filter fabric. My multi-setting sprayer just about fit exactly over the 2" suction fitting. The "invention" is to buy and make-up the fittings to adapt 3/4" garden hose to my 2" MPT filter suction fitting (3 bucks at home depot). This works 'cause my filters have a closed top. I've not paid that much attention to other filter designs, but I think I have seen some that are open on both ends (how the heck does that work?). In that case you would need something to close off the other end  (like a test ball).

PM me for the address to send the royalty checks.

txwillie

[huh?]

This is what we use.


Spin N Free

[txwillie]

This is what we use.


Spin N Free

looks like an $80 broomstick to me

[Cgar]

The challenge that you may run into is the fact that there are about a bazillion different filter sizes.  The ID, OD, height, ends (open or closed) can all vary drastically.  So, your kit would have to include a very flexible adapter.

Not trying to rain on your parade... just making an observation.  We often have people come in asking for a filter for their spa.  When we ask them what type of filter they need, they get a blank look on their face and repeat, "A hottub filter.".  A quick look at the number of options in the filter catalog usually helps them realize that they may need to bring in a few dimensions in order to find the right one.  

[txwillie]

how about making the adapter a rubber cone with a center waterway. one size fits all.

txwillie

[Steve]

The challenge that you may run into is the fact that there are about a bazillion different filter sizes.

I agree with Cgar. Here's just one link that will give an indication on the variety of filters utilized in various spas:

Click on "Unicel Replacement Filters" at the top of the list.

Various filters

Steve

[wmccall]

looks like an $80 broomstick to me

Reminds me of the R/C car industty, take a household $10 item, give it a specific industy purpose and mark it up 1000 %