Pentair FREEFLO FFCF-EU User manual

CARTRIDGE FILTERS
FREEFLO
um-FFCF-EU_revA-EN
EN INSTALLATION MANUAL
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS READ AND FOLLOW
ALL INSTRUCTIONS SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
FFCF-EU

2FREEFLO Cartridge Filter Owner’s Manual
If you have questions about ordering Pentair Aquatic Systems, (“Pentair”) replacement parts, and
pool products, please use the following contact information:
Customer Service
[phone] / [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
www.pentairpooleurope.com
Technical Support
e-mail: [e-mail]
Hotline: [phone]
The manufacturer, Pentair International Sarl, has the right to modify the products without previous
notice for as far as their characteristics are not really changed by this.
©2021 Pentair. All rights reserved. This document is subject to change without notice.
Trademarks and disclaimers: Freeo™ and Pentair ® are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
Pentair and/or its aliated companies in the United States and/or other countries.
Warranty conditions: please visit our website www.pentairpooleurope.com
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION
THESE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE SAFE,
PROPER AND ECONOMICAL OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS OF THIS SWIMMING POOL
APPLIANCE. STRICT OBSERVATION OF THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS WILL HELP
TO AVOID DANGERS, REDUCE REPAIR COSTS, SHUTDOWN TIMES AND INCREASE THE
RELIABILITY AND WORKING LIFE OF THE PRODUCTS.
CUSTOMER SERVICE / TECHNICAL SUPPORT

3
FREEFLO Cartridge Filter Owner’s Manual
Foreword
Congratulations on your purchase of a quality product from the range of pool equipment available
from Pentair Aquatic Systems. You are assured of many years of reliable and ecient performance
from your Pentair lter.
YOUR PENTAIR FREEFLO CARTRIDGE FILTER
FREEFLO cartridge lters have been specically designed for the ltration of spa and swimming
pool water. They should not be used for any other purpose without rst consulting your Pentair
dealer.
FREEFLO cartridge lters provide economy, high performance and convenience in a well-designed
pressure lter. The polyester element can be removed quickly for rinse cleaning without water loss.
FREEFLO cartridge lters feature large lter areas, which ensure even water distribution, peak
ltration performance and longer lter cycles.
The corrosion-resistant construction of FREEFLO cartridge lters provides long life and durability.
FREEFLO cartridge lters are capacity matched with the Pentair range of pool pumps, forming a
total pool ltration system built to last. Take care to match the pump and lter capacities to gain
maximum performance and eciency.
The installation of this product should be carried out by a person knowledgeable in swimming
pool plumbing requirements, following the installation instructions provided in this manual.
Please pass these instructions on to the owner of this equipment.
THIS FILTER OPERATES UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. WHEN ANY PART OF THE CIRCULATING
SYSTEM (e.g., CLAMP, PUMP, FILTER, VALVES, ETC.) IS SERVICED, AIR CAN ENTER THE
SYSTEM AND BECOME PRESSURIZED. PRESSURISED AIR CAN CAUSE THE LID TO BE BLOWN
OFF WHICH CAN RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. ALWAYS RELEASE
AIR FROM FILTER AFTER SERVICING ANY PART OF THE CIRCULATING SYSTEM.
DO NOT UNSCREW THE LID LOCKING RING WHILE PUMP IS RUNNING.
TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE PUMP AND FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM, CLEAN
PUMP STRAINER AND SKIMMER BASKETS REGULARLY.

4FREEFLO Cartridge Filter Owner’s Manual
D
B
A
C
Filter type FFCF 50 FFCF 75 FFCF 100 FFCF 150 FFCF 200
Filter Area (m2) 4,6 7,0 9,3 14 18,6
Max Flow (m³/h) 5 8 10 14 18
Height A (mm) 602 782 782 962 1142
Tank Diameter C (mm) 225 225 225 225 225
Lid width D (mm) 381 381 381 381 381
Filtration (µm) ≤ 15 ≤ 15 ≤ 15 ≤ 15 ≤ 15

5
FREEFLO Cartridge Filter Owner’s Manual
THE SPARKLING CLEAR WATER DIFFERENCE
Cartridge ltration is an effective trouble-free proven method of ltration. Pool water enters the
lter and passes through a polyester single element cartridge. Suspended particles are trapped
and the water is returned to the pool. As the build-up of dirt in the element increases, so the water
pressure rises and the ow decreases. When the pressure reaches an unacceptable level, the
element must be removed and cleaned (spray washing with a common garden hose is generally
sucient).
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
LOCATION
The lter should be placed in its permanent location , preferably as close to the pool or spa as
practical. Position the lter tank and pump on a level concrete slab or similar base. Allow sucient
space around the lter for routine maintenance and provide for adequate ventilation and drainage.
Place the pump in position on the slab and locate the lter alongside with the appropriate pump
inlet connection orientated towards the pump. Refer to the ‘Specications’ section for the minimum
clearance measurements required for each model.
WEATHER PROTECTION
FREEFLO cartridge lters are constructed of corrosion resistant materials. However,to ensure years
of reliable performance, it is recommended that the ltration system be adequately protected from
the weather.
ASSEMBLY
Assemble the pressure gauge to the lter lid using Teon tape on the male thread.
Do not over tighten!
PIPE CONNECTIONS
Piping should be supported independently and not impose heavy loads on the lter or pump.
Use 50mm PVC pipe for pump and pool return lines. FREEFLO cartridge lters are supplied with quick
connect barrel unions suitable for 40mm and 50mm PVC pipe. If the pump and lter are located below
pool water level, it is necessary to t isolating valves in the pipe between the pump and the pool, and
in the return line from the lter to the pool.
1. Pumptolter
FREEFLO cartridge lters are equipped with two inlet ports marked ‘INLET’. Select the inlet
port most suitable for the installation and plug the other inlet port with blanking cap provided.
Using the supplied barrel unions, connect the pool pump delivery piping to the selected inlet port
couplings, connect the pool pump delivery piping to the selected inlet port. Use PVC glue only.
Tighten unions by hand only.
2. FiltertopoolReturn
Using the supplied barrel unions, connect the pool return piping to the lter tting marked
‘OUTLET’, the other outlet should be blocked with the blocking cap provided. Tighten the tting
by hand only. Ensure the o-ring on the tting is clean, lubricated with o-ring lubricant and in the
correct position.
The lter base is provided with four mounting holes to enable it to be secured, if required.

6FREEFLO Cartridge Filter Owner’s Manual
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
FILTER OPERATION
1. Make sure the pump is primed according to manufacturer’s directions.
2. Be sure all valves are open on suction and discharge lines. Ensure the air bleed valve on the
lter lid is open and the lid lock ring is in place and secure.
3. Start the pump. Close the air bleed valve when water is expelled.
4. To determine the correct operating conditions with a clean lter, check that the pressure
gauge reading is 0,8 bar (80kPa) or below.
5. Record the pressure gauge reading or mark the needle position on the face of the pressure
gauge.
6. Operate the lter for a sucient time to circulate the total pool water volume daily. The lter
should also be operated at all times the pool is in use and for about one hour afterwards.
During winter, the running time may be reduced. Filter operating requirements will vary for spa
applications. Depending upon the system design, type and size of spa . Consult your builder or
spa supplier.
7. When the pressure gauge reading is 0,5 - 0,7 bar (50-70kPa) higher than the ‘clean lter’ reading
as in (5) above, it is time to clean the cartridge element (see’ Cartridge Cleaning Procedure
below).
CARTRIDGE CLEANING PROCEDURE
When the lter gauge reading is 0,5 - 0,7 bar (50-70kPa) above the clean lter gauge reading, cleaning
the single element cartridge is required. To perform the cleaning procedures:
1. Switch off the pump.
2. Close isolating valves on suction and discharge lines where tted.
3. Open the air bleed valve on the lter lid. unscrew the lock ring and remove the lter lid.
4. Lift out the cartridge element.
5. In most cases the element can be easily cleaned with a garden hose, using good velocity
sprayed directly on the pleats.
CARTRIDGE RE-ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION
1. Install the cartridge and center pipe so that it is located in the bottom spigot.
2. Ensure the lter lid o-ring is clean, lubricated with o-ring lubricant and located in the bottom
groove.
3. Replace the lid and press rmly in place. Screw down the lock ring, hand tight is sucient -
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!
4. Make sure the pump is primed according to manufacturer’s directions.
5. Ensure all valves are open on suction and discharge lines.
6. Start the pump.
7. Close the air bleed valve when all air has been expelled.
Note: Algae, calcium, clay, suntan oil and body oils can form a coating on the element which
may not be easily removed with normal hosing. These materials can be removed by soaking
the element in a de-greaser and /or de-scaler.
Your local Pentair dealer will be able to recommend suitable products.

7
FREEFLO Cartridge Filter Owner’s Manual
SYMPTOM CAUSE REMEDY
No Water Discharge
Pool water level too low. Fill pool to correct level.
Air leaks in inlet ttings to
pump.
Check and tighten all connections.
Teon tape ttings.
Shortltercycles
Filter Dirty.
Clean lter cartridge.
Replace lter cartridge.
Algae present in Pool water.
DON’T RUN FILTER WITH LIVE
ALGAE IN POOL. Check the
chemical condition of pool water
and refer to Pool Water Chemical
Treatment.
Note: Incorrect chemical treatment
will greatly shorten lter cycle.
Filterstart-uppressure
highandwaterowlow.
Filter requires cleaning. Follow lter cleaning procedure in
this manual.
Return line restricted. Check for ow at return.
Filterstart-uppressure
lowandwaterowhigh
Skimmer basket full of leaves
or debris.
Clear Skimmer Basket of all foreign
matter and debris.
Pump strainer lid not sealed
correctly.
Refer to pump owners manual
for correct procedure for sealing
strainer lid correctly.
Pool water level too low. Fill pool correct level.
Pump impeller blocked.
Call an authorised service agent to
service pump.
Blockage in suction line.
Air leak in suction line.
Leakingfromltertank
joint
Tank 0-ring dirty.
Call an authorised service agent to
service pump.
O-ring incorrectly tted.
O-ring damaged (pinched).
TROUBLESHOOTING

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