I just replaced my Hayward 1 3/4 HP pump with a Max-Flo VS for the sole reason of "energy efficiency" and the state of California was offering a $100.00 credit.
The Max Flo instructions advertises "Max-Flo VS is designed for pools of all types and sizes, featuring a 1 1/2” x 2” union connection to match a variety of plumbing configurations..."
This new pump does not pump the water enough to do the job...EVEN on MAX SPEED (3000 RPM)!!!
With the old pump I could see the surface water being moved around near each jet and now the water flow/ pressure coming out of the jets is just barely there...let alone being able to see it on the surface.
The plan was to run the Max Flo at 3000 RPM for 1.5 hours in the morning and then automatically drop down to the default V1 programmed speed of 1500 RPM for the rest of the day however the flow rate at 1500 RPM is not enough to pump the water up to the solar panels even though they are only on a first floor roof. To fix this issue I had to reprogram the V1 speed to 2700 RPM (only 300 RPM below max speed) to keep the flow up to the solar panels when the solar valve changes.
I also have a Hayward booster pump for a pressure vacuum cleaner and the Max Flo will only pump enough water on max speed to keep the booster primed even though the solar panel controller will shut off the booster pump during the time the solar panels are cycling. In other words, when the pump is running at 2700 RPM I can take the output (top) pipe off an look into the booster pump impeller and see air. If I push the V3 button on the pump and the motor increases to 3000 RPM then there will be water flowing out of the booster pump output pipe. If I let the booster pump be activated when the Max Flo is running at 2700 RPM the the first time the solar panel valve is moved, when the time delay has been exceeded (about 3 minutes) the booster pump will start up however there will be no flow. Often times I have found the booster pump running however the vacuum was not running so I would take off the booster pump output pipe and nothing but steam would come out of it even though the Max Flo was running at 2700 RPM.
My work around was to have the Max Flo run at 3000 RPM for 1.5 hours in the morning before switching to 2700 RPM and have the booster pump run for that same time period however the bottom of the pool stay stays cold because the vacuum is only running in the morning and moving cold water to the bottom.
My next work around idea would be to program the Intermatic P135MS to startf power to the Circuit #1 (the one that powers the Max Flo) at 0800 and also program the Max Flo setting to have it run at 3000 RPM when it energizes and stay at that speed for 1 hour and then automatically drop to 2700 RPM...then also reprogram the Intermatic P135MS to shut off power to the Circuit #1at 1000 and then restart Circuit #1 at 1001 and then also have the Circuit #3 turn the booster pump on at 1005 and run until 1059. In this manner the Max Flo will run until 1000, shut off, restart at 1001 and run at 3000 RPM while the booster pump is running with the solar panel heating the water so at least we can get some warm water mixed around the bottom of the pool.
So I guess I will need to run this fancy pump at 3000/2700 RPM all stinking day and then how much electricity will I save with a Max Flo?
The Max Flo instructions advertises "Max-Flo VS is designed for pools of all types and sizes, featuring a 1 1/2” x 2” union connection to match a variety of plumbing configurations..."
This new pump does not pump the water enough to do the job...EVEN on MAX SPEED (3000 RPM)!!!
With the old pump I could see the surface water being moved around near each jet and now the water flow/ pressure coming out of the jets is just barely there...let alone being able to see it on the surface.
The plan was to run the Max Flo at 3000 RPM for 1.5 hours in the morning and then automatically drop down to the default V1 programmed speed of 1500 RPM for the rest of the day however the flow rate at 1500 RPM is not enough to pump the water up to the solar panels even though they are only on a first floor roof. To fix this issue I had to reprogram the V1 speed to 2700 RPM (only 300 RPM below max speed) to keep the flow up to the solar panels when the solar valve changes.
I also have a Hayward booster pump for a pressure vacuum cleaner and the Max Flo will only pump enough water on max speed to keep the booster primed even though the solar panel controller will shut off the booster pump during the time the solar panels are cycling. In other words, when the pump is running at 2700 RPM I can take the output (top) pipe off an look into the booster pump impeller and see air. If I push the V3 button on the pump and the motor increases to 3000 RPM then there will be water flowing out of the booster pump output pipe. If I let the booster pump be activated when the Max Flo is running at 2700 RPM the the first time the solar panel valve is moved, when the time delay has been exceeded (about 3 minutes) the booster pump will start up however there will be no flow. Often times I have found the booster pump running however the vacuum was not running so I would take off the booster pump output pipe and nothing but steam would come out of it even though the Max Flo was running at 2700 RPM.
My work around was to have the Max Flo run at 3000 RPM for 1.5 hours in the morning before switching to 2700 RPM and have the booster pump run for that same time period however the bottom of the pool stay stays cold because the vacuum is only running in the morning and moving cold water to the bottom.
My next work around idea would be to program the Intermatic P135MS to startf power to the Circuit #1 (the one that powers the Max Flo) at 0800 and also program the Max Flo setting to have it run at 3000 RPM when it energizes and stay at that speed for 1 hour and then automatically drop to 2700 RPM...then also reprogram the Intermatic P135MS to shut off power to the Circuit #1at 1000 and then restart Circuit #1 at 1001 and then also have the Circuit #3 turn the booster pump on at 1005 and run until 1059. In this manner the Max Flo will run until 1000, shut off, restart at 1001 and run at 3000 RPM while the booster pump is running with the solar panel heating the water so at least we can get some warm water mixed around the bottom of the pool.
So I guess I will need to run this fancy pump at 3000/2700 RPM all stinking day and then how much electricity will I save with a Max Flo?