I have a blend manifold. It is the pentair valves. I know those are cheap. Some day, hopefully soon, I will upgrade to the nicer one. I am just trying to get 1-2 more jobs under my belt to have the money to replace it.
So I built this manifold a few months ago. I was able to have it working with no air leaks. The last job I did I started experiencing an air leak. I removed the manifold and hoses from the manifold. I then took an air compressor and lowered the psi to 10-12 psi. I placed the manifold in a large pan of water. My thought process was if there was a leak and air sucking in then blowing air into the manifold should show some type of bubble activity. I then blew air into the place where the hoses connect between the manifold and chem tank, water tank and surfactant tank. The ports for the water and surfactant were fine and no air exited anywhere. I then blew air into the port where the tube that runs to the SH tank connects. Water bubbled out the other end of the manifold. I checked that valve multiple times and it was definitely in the off position but air still exited out the port that would connect to the 12v pump. It blew water from the pan everywhere. Like I mentioned, there was no bubble activity around the manifold system while I tested it. So I replaced the valve
Today I install the new valve. I hook everything up and I still have air being sucked in. I checked the valve that I replaced. The valve was in the off position. I placed my finger on the end of the drop stick associated with the replaced valve. I felt no suction. I held the end of the drop stick to my ear and could not hear any air being sucked into the system.
The only valve that was in the on position was the water valve. The surfactant tank is full, literally was touching the top of the surfactant tank. When the surfactant valve was on it worked as it should. When it was turned off it never pulled anything from the tank. Indicating to me the valve works as it should.
I say ALL that to say the following:
Considering that nothing is being pulled from the tanks when in the off position, which again indicates the valves are working properly, then the leak must be coming from somewhere between the valve and the 12v pump. Am I right?
I would think that it shouldn’t matter if there is a leak below the valves since when they are in the off position NOTHING is getting pulled through.
A solution I wonder if y’all think would work:
A coworker recommended this to me. Use the same method of testing for leaks that i have previously done but to do it from the 12v pump side push air towards the valves. Do it with the manifold submerged under water and see if anything bubble up.
Do y’all have any recommendations as to how to locate the leak?
