Jacuzzi Avalanche Programming manual

E-1686 1/99
Congratulations! You have purchased one of the most user-
friendly pool filter systems available. Jacuzzi is a leader in providing
superior products, combining easy installation and simple service.
This filter system manufactured by Jacuzzi Bros. will provide you
with many years of pool enjoyment. Ideal for above-ground or inground
pools, your filter system with the Ring-Lok filter and Ring -Lok pump,
allows you to easily clean the filter grids and the pump strainer basket
without any tools.
This step-by-step installation and maintenance guide will provide
the necessary information for you to install your new pool system and
easily maintain the equipment.
12401 Interstate 30 P.O. Box 8903 Little Rock, AR 72219-8903 Telephone: [phone]
D.E. Filter System
Owner’s Manual and Installation Guide

Introduction:
INSIDE:
Setting Up your Equipment...........................4-5
Plumbing The System To Your Pool..................6
StartingYour System......................................7-8
Filter Regeneration.......................................9-11
Cleaning The Pump Strainer......................12-13
Cleaning The D.E. Grid Cassette...............14-20
WinterizingYour Filter System.......................21
Water Maintenance..........................................21
Filter System Parts Breakdown......................22
Troubleshooting.........................................23-24
Manufacturer’s Warranty.................................25
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Warns about hazard that CAN cause serious personal injury and
property damage if ignored.
(For cord and plug connected units.) Do not bury cord. Locate
cord to minimize abuse from lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and
other lawn equipment.
(For cord and plug connected units) To reduce the risk of electric
shock, replace damaged cord immediately.
(For cord and plug connected units.) Risk of electric shock.
Connect only to a grounding type receptacle protected by a
ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Contact a qualified
electrician if you cannot verify that the receptacle is protected by
a GFCI.
(For cord and plug connected units) To reduce the risk of electric
shock, do not use an extension cord to connect unit to electric
supply; provide a properly located outlet.
To guard against low voltage which can damage the pump motor,
use minimum wire gauge shown below:
Wire Length
HP 50 Ft. 100Ft.
3/4 #14G #12G
1 #12G #10G
If filter Ring-Lok is removed or adjusted under pressure the filter
cover may blow off, causing injury or property damage.
2

(a) (b) (c)
What you should have:
Contents of carton:
Tools you will need:
For most installations all you will need are (a) screw-
driver (b) wide mouth pliers and (c) adjustable
wrench.
3
Pump
Base
D.E. Filter
123
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
123
123
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
123
Electrical Data:
Refer to information on motor nameplate for electrical
service data. If the pump on your system is supplied
with a 3-prong twist lock 115V plug, then the appro-
priate female receptacle should be installed. For
systems with a standard 3-prong 115V plug, we
recommend a grounded receptacle be installed with
a built-in ground fault circuit interrupter having a
fused disconnect switch or circuit breaker and wire
size large enough for pump horsepower and distance
from power source. Wiring should be done in accor-
dance with applicable codes by a competent electri-
cian.
Electrical Data
3-prong twist-lock plug Standard 3-prong plug
Grommet Nut
(pump mount) Bolt (pump mount)

Setting up your system:
Step 1
Install threaded end of interconnect pipe into
the filter “INLET.” Tighten until O-ring seals
against filter.
NOTE: Be sure union nut is placed on inter-
connect pipe before it is threaded into filter.
Threads on union nut should face away from
the filter.
Step 2
Place filter on base in upright position with
interconnect pipe facing the pump position.
Press firmly down on filter, pushing it down
into base.
Step 3
Be sure that O-ring is firmly seated in O-ring
groove in the end of interconnect pipe.
4
O-Ring

Setting up your system:
Step 4
Push the grommet nuts into the pre-drilled
holes in the system base. Use the illustration
at the right to ensure the correct holes are
used. Position the pump on the base and
connect the union nut on the interconnect
pipe to the pump discharge and hand tighten
only. Install the supplied pump bolts into the
grommet nuts to secure the pump to the base.
TIP: Do not fully tighten pump bolts until
system set-up is complete.
NOTE: Some systems come with grommet
nuts, or equivalent, factory installed.
Step 5
Be certain that the filter cover is pushed
completely down and the Ring-Lok nut is
tightened to the “built-in stops” and yellow
safety latch is engaged.
If the Ring-Lok nut is not
tightened so yellow safety
latch is engaged, the filter
cover may blow off causing
injury or property damage.
Step 6
Carefully install the pressure gauge into the
filter cover after wrapping the brass threads
with 4 wraps of teflon tape (Note: Some
gauges have teflon tape factory installed.)
TIP: Install pressure gauge only hand tight
plus 1/4 turn.
5

Typical above-ground pool connection:
6

System startup:
CAUTION: Water acts as a coolant for the seal. Do not operate your pump until it has been
filled with water (primed).
IMPORTANT: This filter is a diatomaceous earth (D.E.) type filter and requires D.E. in order to
operate. DO NOT OPERATE FILTER WITHOUT D.E.
Step 1
Open the air bleed valve on top of the filter to
allow captured air to escape. When a steady
stream of water appears, close valve.
NOTE: If optional shut-off valves are installed
be sure that both valves are fully opened.
Step 2
Mix diatomaceous earth in a bucket of water.
See Chart for appropriate amounts. The D.E.
scoop this is supplied with your system
should be used for measuring. Set bucket of
D.E. mixture aside.
Step 3
Turn the motor on by plugging the unit into a
grounded electrical receptacle.
Air bleed valve
For above-ground pools with system below
the pool water level.
7
The use of an extension cord may
result in a severe voltage drop which
could cause damage or shorten the
service life of your pump motor.
Filter Scoops of D.E.
AV40 3
AV60 4
AV80 5

8
Step 4
Open air bleed valve to release any additional
trapped air. When a steady stream of water
appears, close the valve.
Step 5
Pour D.E. mixture into pool skimmer slowly to
allow D.E. to be pumped into the filter for
coating. Allow 3-5 minutes for grids to coat
sufficiently.
IMPORTANT: Do not operate filter for
extended periods without D.E.
Step 6
The filter is equipped with a pressure gauge
to assist in determining when the filter grid
cassette should be cleaned. Note the gauge
reading when filter is started up, “CLEAN.”As
the filter becomes dirty, the needle will move
to the right. When the needle has moved 10
psi above the “CLEAN” reading, regenerate
the D.E. (see FILTER REGENERATION pages
9-10.)
System startup:

9
NOTE: Regeneration of the D.E. filter is done to extend the filter cycle before
cleaning of the grid cassette becomes necessary. If a 10 p.s.i. increase is indi-
cated by the filter pressure gauge, follow the filter regeneration steps below.
If filter Ring-Lok is removed or adjusted under pressure, the filter cover
may blow off, causing injury or major property damage.
Step 1
Unplug the pump cord. However, if the system
has not been operating, plug pump cord into
3-prong grounded electrical receptacle, allow
to run for 5 to 8 minutes, then unplug pump
cord.
NOTE: Do not attempt to regenerate filter
while pump is running.
Step 2
Grasp wiper handle on top of filter. D.E. cake
may prevent easy up and down movement of
wiper plates. To dislodge the D.E. cake, pump
the handle up and down until it moves freely.
Several pumps may be necessary to initiate
any movement of the regenerative system.
Filter regeneration:

Filter regeneration:
Step 3
When full stroke is obtained, slowly move
handle up and down 4 to 5 times, then return
wiper blades to bottom position of stroke.
Step 4
Plug pump into 3 prong grounded electrical
receptacle. Note pressure reading. If pressure
gauge reading increases 10 p.s.i. within 72
hours, grid cassette must be cleaned. Follow
“cleaning the D.E. grid cassette,” instructions
on page 13-20.
10

Cleaning the pump strainer:
To avail electrical shock, unplug the pump before performing
any service or maintenance.
If filter Ring-Lok is removed or adjusted under pressure, the
filter cover may blow off, causing injury or major property
damage.
Unplug the pump cord.
Step 1
For above-ground pools with the filter system located below the pool water level.
Your system is full of water. If you remove the pump strainer cover, water will run
out freely from your pool. You must close the shut-off valves, if installed, or make
provisions to stop the flow of water from your pool. To remove the water that is
still captured in your system, drain the filter tank before proceeding.
For in-ground pools with the filter system located above the pool water level.
Your system is full of water. If you remove the pump strainer cover before drain-
ing the filter tank, water in the filter tank will flow out of the pump freely and dirty
water may run back into your pool.
OR
Step 3
Unscrew the strainer RING-LOK nut and re-
move the clear strainer cover.
CAUTION: Some remaining water may spill
out of the strainer body when the clear
strainer cover is removed.
1st Drain cap
2nd Air bleed valve
STOP
11
STOP
Step 2
Drain the filter tank by first removing the
drain cap and then opening the air bleed
valve. Replace the drain cap once filter is
drained.
TIP: A hose bib and garden hose can be
connected to allow drainage into a conve-
nient area.

Step 4
Lift the basket out of the strainer and remove
the debris. Reinstall the basket.
Step 5
Clean the o-ring on the clear strainer lid and
re-lubricate with petroleum jelly. Also, clean
all surfaces that come in contact with the o-
ring to assure a good seal.
Step 6
Replace the clear cover and strainer Ring-Lok.
HAND TIGHTEN ONLY. Open the optional
valves if installed.
12
You are now ready to perform the system start-up (see pages 7-8).
Cleaning the pump strainer:

Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:
To avoid electrical shock, unplug the pump before performing
any service or maintenance.
If filter Ring-Lok is removed or adjusted under pressure, the
filter cover may blow off, causing injury or major property
damage.
Unplug the pump cord.
Step 1
For above-ground pools with the filter system located below the pool water level.
Your system is full of water. If you remove the pump strainer cover, water will run
out freely from your pool. You must close the shut-off valves, if installed, or make
provisions to stop the flow of water from your pool. To remove the water that is
still captured in your system, drain the filter tank before proceeding.
For in-ground pools with the filter system located above the pool water level.
Your system is full of water. If you open the filter air bleed valve or remove the
filter cover before draining the filter tank, dirty water may run back into
your pool.
Step 3
Unscrew the wiper handle and set aside. Then
loosen the air bleed valve. (It is not necessary
to remove air-bleed valve.)
1st Drain cap
2nd Air bleed valve
STOP
Wiper Handle
13
OR
STOP
Step 2
Drain the filter tank by first removing the drain
cap and then opening the air bleed valve.
TIP: A hose bib and garden hose can be con-
nected to allow drainage into a convenient
area.

Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:
Step 4
Press down on yellow safety latch and rotate
the large Ring-Lok nut counter-clockwise.
Using both hands continue to unscrew the
Ring-Lok nut. Remove and set aside.
Step 5
Remove the cover by pulling upward on the
handles, rocking gently if necessary.
NOTE: Be sure not to bend the threaded wiper
rod protruding from the top of the filter cover.
Step 6
Grasp the two lifting straps and lift the grid
cassette out of the filter tank. Rocking gently
if necessary.
14

15
Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:

16
Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:

17
Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:

18
NOTE: Some models have a plastic buckle in
place of the velcro. Once the straps are in place,
pull upward on the buckle to tighten the straps.
Ensure plastic spacer is inserted into collar on the
support plate.
Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:

19
Cleaning the D.E. grid cassette:
Step 19
Align wiper rod to fit through hole in top of
the cover. Place the cover on the filter body
and press firmly downward until the cover
comes to a stop against the filter body.
TIP: It is easier to replace the filter cover if the
air bleed valve is open.
Step 20
Clean the threads of the Ring-Lok nut and the
threads on the filter body with water or a
cloth. Place the Ring-Lok nut on the filter and
tighten to the “built-in stops.” Be sure that the
yellow safety latch is engaged.
Step 21
Tighten air bleed valve into cover . Screw
wiper handle on to exposed threads of wiper
rod.
If the Ring-Lok nut is not tightened to built-in
stops, the filter cover may blow off causing
injury or property damage.
You are now ready to perform the system start-up (see pages 7-8).

Winterizing the filter system:
To avoid electrical shock, unplug the pump before performing
any service or maintenance.
If filter Ring-Lok is removed or adjusted under pressure, the
filter cover may blow off, causing injury or major property
damage.
Step 3
Drain the pump strainer and pump case by
loosening the plug shown. The pump will
drain without completely removing the plugs
from the pump.
NOTE: If temperatures in the winter are se-
vere, you may choose to disconnect your
filter system from the pool and move it to a
protected area.
1st Drain cap
2nd Air bleed valve
20
Drain plug
A proper and consistent use of chemicals is necessary
to maintain clean, sanitary water, to prevent a spread of
germ infection and control the growth of algae which
can spoil the appearance and enjoyment of your pool
or spa. See your pool professional for proper chemical
maintenance.
STOP
Step 2
Drain the filter tank by first removing the drain
cap and then opening the air bleed valve.
Replace the drain cap once filter is drained.
TIP: A hose bib and garden hose can be con-
nected to allow drainage into a convenient
area.
Unplug the pump cord.
Water maintenance:
Step 1
For above-ground pools with the filter system located below the pool water level.
You must drain the water in the pool below the skimmer and inlet fitting. Follow
pool manufacturer’s recommendations for winterizing the pool. Your system is
full of water. To remove the water that is still captured in your piping and system,
drain the filter tank before proceeding.