New user here - questions about setting up my new VS pump

[dooger54]

Hello all-

New user here, i have had our pool for ten years but just now starting to take control of doing things my way! Looks like I will get great help here.

I just ordered a new Hayward EcoStar SP3400VSP pump to replace my old Northstar single speed. My existing pump is a 2 hp and the new one has a max HP of 2.75 (my understanding). I bought this particular pump on the advice of a Hayward tech, I emailed them my info and this is the pump they recommended.

My first concern is setting up the pump with the correct pump rpm's. I see from the manual that i can set the max rpm (the spec is 3450). I think I need to do this because I am concerned the power of this pump may be more that what is safe to run at 100% output. Per the Hayward manual, they recommend no more than 80 gpm with 2" plumbing. So I guess I should set the pump max so it does not go over this. There is where my question begins-

The Performance Data from Hayward on this pump is confusing to me because it relates all data to the Feet of Head in my pool. I have NO idea what this is for mine. Yes, I have read numerous articles about how to calculate this, but it really is a huge guess since I don't know the run lengths of my pipes, how many there are, etc. Below is the data from Hayward-

It obviously makes a huge difference what my resistance, feet of head is. Looks pretty clear to me that I should never run this pump at 100% capacity. Help please?

 

[Joshii]

With 2" plumbing I think you will be fine with that size pump running full speed.

As for calculating head - I agree. Very confusing.

You know what makes it even more confusing? The slower the water goes through the pipes the less head it will face. So, it isn't even just ONE number you have to calculate! When running the VS pump at slow speed, it will face almost no head at all. Which is why that big triangle of dashes in your diagram isn't alarming. You will still get a lot of flow through your pump, even at 800rpm.

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

Welcome to TFP... A Great resource for all pool owners with VS pump questions...

You are making life too hard on yourself. The max speed from your new pump will not harm a thing. And you will never use it 99.9% of the time anyway.

I have a couple of 3 HP Intelliflo pumps running at pools with 1.5" plumbing, without any issues, so your 2" plumbing will be fine.

For reference Most of the time, I run the pump at my house at 1,200 RPM for chlorine generation (I have a SWCG) and then ramp up to 1,800 or so to help with skimming a few times a day. I also run my waterfall, which is off most of the time, at 2,900 RPM.

Just set the speeds you want, to make the features you have look the best. You really don't need to get to technical with it..

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[dooger54]

D,

Welcome to TFP... A Great resource for all pool owners with VS pump questions...

You are making life too hard on yourself. The max speed from your new pump will not harm a thing. And you will never use it 99.9% of the time anyway.

I have a couple of 3 HP Intelliflo pumps running at pools with 1.5" plumbing, without any issues, so your 2" plumbing will be fine.

For reference Most of the time, I run the pump at my house at 1,200 RPM for chlorine generation (I have a SWCG) and then ramp up to 1,800 or so to help with skimming a few times a day. I also run my waterfall, which is off most of the time, at 2,900 RPM.

Just set the speeds you want, to make the features you have look the best. You really don't need to get to technical with it..

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

Very helpful Jim. Good to know I really can't harm anything. I will probably set my system up similar to what you are doing. I also have a SWCG. Same with waterfall which does not get turned on much at all.

We are on an electric rate system here in Tucson that gives me 7 cent KWH for special times. During the summer (now also) these rates apply from 9 pm to 1 pm the following day. So I set my pump to run from about 6am to 1pm. I would assume I don't need it running during the hottest and sunniest part of the afternoon?

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

I run it at 1,200 just because it takes 1,100 to close the SWCG's flow switch.. at that speed it only uses about 175 Watts.

So even running it 24/7 costs me less than $20 a month.

I doubt only running it when the rates are the lowest will save you much extra money unless the prime hours are really expensive.

I'm not sure it makes much difference to the pool what hours you run it. I guess I would worry about the heat of the day making the top layer of water hotter than the rest without circulation, but that is something you can determine as the summer gets here.

As a side note, I went to all of elementary school in Tucson. My dad was in the Air Force and we lived on Davis Monthon AFB. Used to sneak into the Boneyard and play in some old WWII aircraft..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[dooger54]

I wouldn't want to try sneaking into the Boneyard these days!

On-peak rates are substantially higher .19 vs .07. Up to now I've run a single speed 2hp pump so have been careful to run it only in off-peak hours. With the new VS pump that may not be as much an issue.

 

[tucsontico]

Welcome to TFP! Here in Tucson the key to saving $$ on electricity and having a crystal clear pool is to be certain your SWCG is producing enough chlorine to overcome the sun burning it off. If you haven't already, get a recommended test kit (TFP-100 or Taylor K-2006) and take charge of your own pool testing and chemistry.

I have a Pentair Intelliflo VS pump and an IC40 SWCG. With my pool at just shy of 20,000 gal, I run my SWCG 4 hours at about 75%. My pump speed is currently set for 2200 rpm for the SWCG (I have it set to run the in-floor cleaner at the same time). The pump uses about 850 watts at this speed. My slow speed is 1400 rpm for the skimmer function (that uses about 250 watts) at 2 hours per day. This combo allows me to keep chlorine levels at 5-6 ppm even in the full summer sun.

Based on my current set speeds and wattages used, the pool pump uses about 4kW hours/day. At .12/ kWh, I estimate my pool pump costs about $15/month to run. Ever since taking charge of my pool using the TFP methods and advice, my pool has been crystal clear and "trouble free"!

 

[dooger54]

Welcome to TFP! Here in Tucson the key to saving $$ on electricity and having a crystal clear pool is to be certain your SWCG is producing enough chlorine to overcome the sun burning it off. If you haven't already, get a recommended test kit (TFP-100 or Taylor K-2006) and take charge of your own pool testing and chemistry.

I have a Pentair Intelliflo VS pump and an IC40 SWCG. With my pool at just shy of 20,000 gal, I run my SWCG 4 hours at about 75%. My pump speed is currently set for 2200 rpm for the SWCG (I have it set to run the in-floor cleaner at the same time). The pump uses about 850 watts at this speed. My slow speed is 1400 rpm for the skimmer function (that uses about 250 watts) at 2 hours per day. This combo allows me to keep chlorine levels at 5-6 ppm even in the full summer sun.

Based on my current set speeds and wattages used, the pool pump uses about 4kW hours/day. At .12/ kWh, I estimate my pool pump costs about $15/month to run. Ever since taking charge of my pool using the TFP methods and advice, my pool has been crystal clear and "trouble free"!

Thanks for the words of advice tucsontico.

My my problem with taking care of pool chemistry is we are snowbirds. We will be leaving in the next week or so and might come back once before next winter. So I am somewhat at the mercy of pool service. My only other help is my son who lives nearby. But he can't stop by that often. The grandkids do use the pool maybe once or twice a week on summer.

 

[tucsontico]

Completely understand the "Snowbird" issue. However, if your son can stop by once per week I'll bet you could eventually eliminate your pool service. Good luck!

 

[Teald024]

The grandkids do use the pool maybe once or twice a week on summer.

Any chance the grandkids can help out some after they enjoy the pool? Or the adult supervising them if they are younger? There is a great set of testing instructions in the TF-100 test kit and PoolMath will tell them exactly what to add. That SWG will help out a lot.

 

[dooger54]

Any chance the grandkids can help out some after they enjoy the pool? Or the adult supervising them if they are younger? There is a great set of testing instructions in the TF-100 test kit and PoolMath will tell them exactly what to add. That SWG will help out a lot.

Have to think about. Grandkids are 10 and 12, they would need supervision by one of the parents. So what would be the " normal" routine they would need to do every week? Follow the Basic Care Schedule? Would be concerned about cleaning the filters, I don't even do that. Checking chemical levels etc could be learned without too much difficulty.

 

[Teald024]

Have to think about. Grandkids are 10 and 12, they would need supervision by one of the parents. So what would be the " normal" routine they would need to do every week? Follow the Basic Care Schedule? Would be concerned about cleaning the filters, I don't even do that. Checking chemical levels etc could be learned without too much difficulty.

Yes, follow the Basic Care Schedule. It is a great place to start. Many here tweak it over time once they get to know their pool.

Age 10 & 12 would be able to use the net on the pole to get out any big debris and do some wall / floor brushing. At least well enough to have them do it. My 9yr old likes to help me with the testing. With a little practice, it isn't hard. I would think they could do the bleach and other chems except the acid. Most of these are fairly safe, just have them wash up good after. Acid would definitely be a responsible adult task. Sorry, getting a bit off topic with this.

Could we ask that you fill in your signature with your pool details (pool size & volume, wall materials, spa?, pump info, filter info, heater info, chlorine addition method, Test kit, etc). There is a link here. You can see some examples that ppl use in this thread.

 

[dooger54]

Filled in signature details. Yes, we got a little off topic ��

Any other comments on setting speeds of my new pump? Installing Tuesday.