Replacing a Single speed pump with a Variable Speed

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shuman

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Aug 16, 2015
5
Arlington, TX
I have an AquaFlo 1.5 hp pump an a 60 square foot DE filter that I need to replace.
I have looked online at Pentair, Hayward and Jandy.
In reading the installation manuals, Jandy is the only one you can hook up a freezestat to without having a pool automation controller.
I like the idea of a VS pump but I don't want to blow a lot of money on an automation system.
Also, Pentair and Hayward don't offer much of a warranty if you install it yourself.
I used to install and service VFD's from fractional to 50 HP, so I am pretty sure I can install it correctly.

Any thought on the freeze stat?

Thanks.
 
by freeze stat, if you mean freeze protection, then many of the VS Pumps have them built in. I know mine does.

And yeah, warranty for DIY'ers pretty much are a bummer. However, if you read the Pentair warranty, it states "qualified" installer and not certifield. All you have to do is connect the plumbing and power cable. I installed my own. Piece of cake. No clue what specifically Pentair means by qualified. Lots of pool people in the industry that I wouldnt let anywhere near my equipment.

Like you, I have installed literally Tons of VF drives and I consider myself way more than qualified to install a pool pump.
Not sure how Pentair or the others would view it if something were to happen though.
 
Dave,
Thanks for the quick response.
The Pentair manual "advises" that the internal freeze protection is only for the pump and to use external freeze protection for the piping and filter.
You live in about the same temperature range as I do, do you leave your pump on all year?
And I am guessing using the internal freeze protection you haven't had any problems.
 
For sure Pentair's warranty stuff stinks for us avid DIYers. I'm only hoping their stuff is REALLY GOOD and I don't need their stinkin' 3-year warranty but the cost of having someone else install it was just crazy and I just couldn't do it. I installed my own pump and own NG heater. This stuff isn't rocket science for goodness sakes....
 
Hey Shuman,
The freeze protection on the pump will start the water flowing. Dynamic water freezes a lot slower than static water does.
The flowing water is going to be the best protection of the pipes and filter too.

Its not a bad idea, if the temp is going to be below 25 for days on end, to wrap your pipes and filter and pump with tarps, or something similar.
The tarp is to keep the wind off the equipment as the wind will exasperate the situation. There isnt any other 'freeze protection' other than draining water below all the returns, and blowing water out of the pipes like what folks up North have to do.

Last year, we had temps here down in the teens of lots and lots of days just like you did. I didnt use the tarp, and suffered no problems.
There are a LOT of folks here on TFP from the DFW area like you, and none of them had problems either.

Winter before last was my first winter with a pool and I fretted about it a lot, and all for nothing.

In winter, I have my RPMs down to about 900 which uses about 100 watts and yes, it runs until the temp rises above about 40F.

hope this helps,




shuman said:
Dave,
Thanks for the quick response.
The Pentair manual "advises" that the internal freeze protection is only for the pump and to use external freeze protection for the piping and filter.
You live in about the same temperature range as I do, do you leave your pump on all year?
And I am guessing using the internal freeze protection you haven't had any problems.
Click to expand...
 
Mark,

Not so much for us BA'ers to worry about, eh? :)

Nice write-up. I actually have all my pool equipment contained within a plastic Lifetime shed. If anything, I'm more worried about heat build-up inside there during the summer so I'm adding more venting.
 
As far as the warranty, if you know anyone who is a plumber, pool service, electrician, etc. for fifty bucks and a couple beers you can get a bill stating it was put in by a "qualified installer". That will get you a three year warranty. Also not bad to have someone double check your work, just in case you too had more than a couple beers during the install.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone.
My concern was the placement of the temp sensor on the pump. If it was to close to the motor it would warm up quickly and shut off, etc..
I do know a licensed electrician that owes me a few cold ones, so I am checking on getting an invoice from him.
I just didn't know if had to be a "pool specialist"
All that being said, do any of you know if the Pentair VS has ports that I can put pressure gauges in before and after the pump to calculate head?

Thanks.




chiefwej said:
As far as the warranty, if you know anyone who is a plumber, pool service, electrician, etc. for fifty bucks and a couple beers you can get a bill stating it was put in by a "qualified installer". That will get you a three year warranty. Also not bad to have someone double check your work, just in case you too had more than a couple beers during the install.
Click to expand...
 
Nope no ports. For before the pump, I suppose the drain plug could be used. I added a flow gauge to my system when I put in the VS pump. I found one for about $35 and it seems to work fine, although once you get all your settings optimized you don't pay any attention to it. Re. The warranty, I asked Pentair what a "qualified installer" meant. They don't have a list or specific definition of who is qualified, so any plumber, electrician or pool service company, can arguably be used.
 

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FWIW, I self-installed a Hayward VS this year, it failed after one month, and Hayward shipped a replacement to me. They made me call a local Anthony & Sylvan dealer to have the replacement ordered and they insisted on doing the replacement, even though I had self-installed originally. I guess the only bummer about the warranty replacement was waiting for the installers to do it.
 
shuman said:
Could you let me know where you found a flow meter for $35?
The ones I am finding are much more.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Here you go, $35 flow meter. Well, I guess I'm wrong, because it's $35.04. Make sure you get the right one. They are made for 1.5",2", 2.5" PVC. there are also side mount and top mount ones. Chose carefully, horizontal vs vertically mounting. Figure out where you will mount it before ordering.
Rolachem Flowmeter 30 To 150 Gpm Top
 
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