Pump run time

[doglover78]

I apologize in advance b/c I'm a newbie. I love the helpful info in your Pool School section - I've read it and continue to reread and return to it.

How long do you recommend running my pump? The pool guy recommended 8 hours/day here in the summer. Does that sound like too much? Keep in mind I'm in sunny/hot/humid (this part of the year) Florida.

Any recommendations? Is it better to run the pump longer with the SWG at a lower percentage or vice versa?

My vitals:

• 15K gallon pool, screened[/*:m:26cjbdp7]
• SWG (Hayward SwimPure/AquaRite 40K cell)[/*:m:26cjbdp7]
• Hayward pump (older) and brand new Hayward C-900 filter system[/*:m:26cjbdp7]
• South Florida[/*:m:26cjbdp7]

Thanks!

 

[mas985]

There is a pool school article for that:

pool-school/pump_run_time

But in general, most pools don't need more than a 3-4 hours of run time but you may need more for the SWG. And no, it doesn't matter if you run a shorter pump time at a higher SWG % except of course if the SWG is at 100% and you don't have enough chlorine, then you will have to run the pump longer.

 

[doglover78]

Thanks. I see you recommend to start at 4 hours.

Should I run the pump for X hours straight each day? Or, is it better to run it for a few hours, wait, then run it again (in order to spread it out over the day)?

I heard it's best to run the pump while the sun is shining and affecting the chemicals. True?

 

[mas985]

Should I run the pump for X hours straight each day? Or, is it better to run it for a few hours, wait, then run it again (in order to spread it out over the day)?

Since debris drops in the pool 24/7, split run time can be more efficient at removing floating debris before it sinks.

I heard it's best to run the pump while the sun is shining and affecting the chemicals. True?

Only if your CYA levels are too low. With a SWG, you should have a CYA level of 80 ppm which helps maintain FC levels during sunlight hours. So if you have cheaper energy at night, then by all means run at night. Just make sure the FC level is carrying over to the evening right before the pump run time and adjust the SWG output accordingly.

 

[doglover78]

My pool is screened so the only debris I get are tiny bugs (still obnoxious). My electric rate does not fluctuate by time of day.

But you're saying splitting the run time may be a good idea because that'll spread out the cleaning time in order to more effectively grab debris? Makes sense. So, instead of 8 hours at once (10am-6pm right now) I could do 4 hours during the day and 4 in the evening.

A CYA of 80 will protect my chlorine level even though I have a SWG, in direct Florida sun, and even if the pump doesn't run during the middle of the day? Wow, I didn't know that.

 

[doglover78]

For those of you with SWG systems out there, how many hours a day do you run your pump? I have an older single speed pump. I'm currently running 8 hrs/day here in FLA.

 

[mas985]

For me, only 4 hours per day but I run in one set for solar. Your pool is smaller than mine so you could probably easily get away with 4 hours too.

 

[doglover78]

Wow, really? 4 hrs/day even in hot/humid/sunny South Florida?! That'd be great. I guess it doesn't hurt to try. Maybe I'll turn down the run time and turn up the SWG % and see what happens.

 

[mas985]

So did you read the pool school article? It shouldn't be a surprise. Also you might want to read this study which was done in Florida: http://consensus.fsu.edu/FBC/Pool-Effic ... ystems.pdf

 

[doglover78]

So did you read the pool school article? It shouldn't be a surprise. Also you might want to read this study which was done in Florida: http://consensus.fsu.edu/FBC/Pool-Effic ... ystems.pdf

Thanks for the link!