Upgrading to VSP - Looking for recommendations

[4devils]

Hello All-
We are upgrading our primary filter pump to a VSP. Called two vendors and received two recommendations for manufacturers. Would appreciate any feedback from those of you who have these pumps. Local utility offering a rebate which basically covers the cost of the installation ($200).

Pool is approx. 30,000 gallons with waterfall and a separate spa. Pool depth ranges from 3 ft to 9 ft. Cleaning system is an in-floor with pop-ups. Two additional pumps control water feature and spa booster. Primary filter pump is currently a single stage 2HP. Filter is DE.

Pool/spa control is an older Aqualink RS8. Understand that this system is old and an upgrade is expensive (~$600?)

Cheers!

 

[PoolGuyNJ]

If your RS-8 has open relays, Pentair has a device called the Intellicom that can tell a Pentair VS to use different speeds without upgrading the RS-8. That should reduce the dollars that would otherwise be used upgrading the the RS-8 and meet your utility's requirements.

Scott

 

[thepoolman]

The Hayward Ecostar can also be used in your application as long as you have open relays. This can be done without having to purchase anything extra like the Intellicom. Not everyone likes the ecostar though, so it might be worth the extra money for the intellicom to go with the pentair. Personally, I have an intellipro and I love it.

 

[PoolGuyNJ]

Jandy also has a new U/Ged board that also comes with the ability to use either the web or and iPhone/iPad and Android devices are expected shortly for a lot less than the old board u/g price/ The new U/g comes with an antennae that also has a 100BaseT connection suitable for connection to a wireless bridge or multiport home router. Saw it yesterday at the NESPA trade show in Atlantic City. This would allow the use of a Jandy/Zodiac VSP.

Scott

 

[mas985]

Pool is approx. 30,000 gallons with waterfall and a separate spa. Pool depth ranges from 3 ft to 9 ft. Cleaning system is an in-floor with pop-ups. Two additional pumps control water feature and spa booster. Primary filter pump is currently a single stage 2HP. Filter is DE.

Your current pump was probably sized for for the in-floor system so a VS is unlikely to save you much in energy costs since you will be running it at fairly high speeds for the in-floor system. It may not even pay for itself over the life of the pump unless your plan is to reduce the in-floor run time and run the pump at lower speeds.

 

[thepoolman]

I set up most the way mas985 described at the end of his post. Run the cleaning system for 3-4 hours a day and then low speed the rest of the run time. You could try running the main a pump for a shorter period of time for a week or so to see if your pool will stay clean like you want it to be.