I'm awaiting delivery on an EcoTech variable speed motor to go with my Hayward SuperPump. While I'm waiting I figured I'd pick the collective brain on the best strategy for programming the motor. I'll lay out my current thinking, but I would greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions.
I found an old thread at http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/29410-Optimal-flow-rates-for-variable-speed-pumps, but there may be some new experience (or scar tissue) since then.
I have a 15,000 gallon IGP, Liquidator, heat pump (min. 20 GPM, bypassed in winter, long piping run and significant head increase when in-circuit), waterfall water feature and Blue-White flowmeter.
I believe the two starting points for my strategy should be: A) It is better to run the VS motor at the lowest possible speed for as long as is necessary, and B) The Liquidator requires a stable daily pump operating profile of speed and hours.
For winter, with the heat pump bypassed, my current thinking is:
** Open fully the valve to the water feature.
** Set the Liquidator to "medium" flow setting (3).
** Set the pump to run 24 hours a day.
** Find the minimum speed at which the water feature will operate, the pool will circulate and carry debris to the skimmers and at least 15,000 gallons per day will pass through the filter.
** Decrease flow to the water feature if necessary.
** Decrease run hours or increase speed to maintain target FC level. If speed is increased, decrease flow to the water feature.
For summer, with the heat pump in-circuit:
** Open fully the valve to the water feature.
** Set the Liquidator to "medium" flow setting (3).
** Set the pump to run 24 hours a day.
** Find the minimum speed at which the heat pump will operate and maintain the desired temperature, the water feature will operate, the pool will circulate and carry debris to the skimmers and at least 15,000 gallons per day will pass through the filter.
** Decrease flow to the water feature if necessary.
** Decrease run hours or increase speed to maintain target FC level. If speed is increased, decrease flow to the water feature.
** Hours and/or speed will probably have to be tweaked across the course of the (North Carolina) swimming season. Make notes!
I don't know how much I'll be able to tip the balance of this exercise from art towards science, but any assistance in this effort will be appreciated.
I found an old thread at http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/29410-Optimal-flow-rates-for-variable-speed-pumps, but there may be some new experience (or scar tissue) since then.
I have a 15,000 gallon IGP, Liquidator, heat pump (min. 20 GPM, bypassed in winter, long piping run and significant head increase when in-circuit), waterfall water feature and Blue-White flowmeter.
I believe the two starting points for my strategy should be: A) It is better to run the VS motor at the lowest possible speed for as long as is necessary, and B) The Liquidator requires a stable daily pump operating profile of speed and hours.
For winter, with the heat pump bypassed, my current thinking is:
** Open fully the valve to the water feature.
** Set the Liquidator to "medium" flow setting (3).
** Set the pump to run 24 hours a day.
** Find the minimum speed at which the water feature will operate, the pool will circulate and carry debris to the skimmers and at least 15,000 gallons per day will pass through the filter.
** Decrease flow to the water feature if necessary.
** Decrease run hours or increase speed to maintain target FC level. If speed is increased, decrease flow to the water feature.
For summer, with the heat pump in-circuit:
** Open fully the valve to the water feature.
** Set the Liquidator to "medium" flow setting (3).
** Set the pump to run 24 hours a day.
** Find the minimum speed at which the heat pump will operate and maintain the desired temperature, the water feature will operate, the pool will circulate and carry debris to the skimmers and at least 15,000 gallons per day will pass through the filter.
** Decrease flow to the water feature if necessary.
** Decrease run hours or increase speed to maintain target FC level. If speed is increased, decrease flow to the water feature.
** Hours and/or speed will probably have to be tweaked across the course of the (North Carolina) swimming season. Make notes!
I don't know how much I'll be able to tip the balance of this exercise from art towards science, but any assistance in this effort will be appreciated.