I've currently got a single speed pump that runs 24/7 and is hardwired in, such that I have to go flip a breaker in the pool shed to turn it on/off. I was told by both the previous owners and the pool company who initially introduced me to the maintenance said that because of the size of the pool I should run the pump continuously (likely the previous owners were told the same by the pool company as well). I've since cut all ties with the pool company and am not really convinced that I need to run it continuously. So, I've been thinking about installing a timer and when the motor eventually burns out, replacing it with a variable speed one. Am I right that I needn't run it 24/7 (especially with low bather loads)? and assuming I install a timer, does it make sense to connect both the SWG and pump to the timer in parallel? The SWG won't run without the pump running anyway, but I figure why even have it on at all if the pump isn't running. Interested in your thoughts, thanks!
Pump runtime / pump timer
- Thread starter mjc123
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,603
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
First - your SWCG should not be powered when the pump is not running. It can explode. Rare, but has happened
Set your timer first so that the SWCG generates enough chlorine each day. Then, increase the run time if your pool needs extra skimming time, etc. lower the % setting on the SWCG if necessary.
Set your timer first so that the SWCG generates enough chlorine each day. Then, increase the run time if your pool needs extra skimming time, etc. lower the % setting on the SWCG if necessary.
On the first sentence, this seems like a multiple combination thing - I can either run the SWG at a higher % for less hours, or at a lower % for more hours and still generate the same chlorine. Is it just preference around which I aim for? "Pool School" suggests that perhaps only 4h/day is required. I'm thinking perhaps I increase that to 6hrs to be safe, and run it for 3 hrs every 12 hours maybe and see how that goes (dialing in the SWG to match that, obviously)
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,188
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
That will work. There should be no reason to run a single speed pump 24/7. Six hours should be good. If you find you need to run your pump longer for skimming and filtration, decrease SWG output. You should see a significant decrease in energy usage.
Well, I can’t believe I only just found this out... but my pump IS a 2-speed pump, it was just wired as a single speed all along.
WTH!
Why would they have done that? So now the plan is to get two timers- one to turn the pump on and off and the other to run it at high or low speed. Any advice on low speed duration vs high speed?
WTH!
Model 15UTMF-S2
www.carvinpool.com
Why would they have done that? So now the plan is to get two timers- one to turn the pump on and off and the other to run it at high or low speed. Any advice on low speed duration vs high speed?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,603
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,188
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Awesome discovery! This article may help you determine a run time... Pump Run Times
I run mine at a speed just high enough to activate my flow switches (about 1600 rpm) on the SWG and heater for about 5 hours per night. I run at high speed (about 2500 rpm) for about 2 hours, primarily for running my suction cleaner and heavier skimming. YRMV.
I run mine at a speed just high enough to activate my flow switches (about 1600 rpm) on the SWG and heater for about 5 hours per night. I run at high speed (about 2500 rpm) for about 2 hours, primarily for running my suction cleaner and heavier skimming. YRMV.
Yeah, I was looking at those earlier today. As far as I can tell the T106 controls switches between high and low but is always on. From what I understood, you can wire a T104 to the T106 to accomplish both. The T104 handles the simple on/off and the T106 handles the high/low speed (when on, obviously). Like so: http://waterheatertimer.org/images/T106-T104-600.jpg
- May 3, 2014
- 58,603
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The two timer method will work. Connect the SWG to the T104 timer. I would run mostly on low speed.
I never ran the numbers before, but the pump is rated 230v / 8.0A at full speed, so it should should pull 1840W, or 44.16 kWh per day * $0.179435/kWh (taxes in) = $7.92/day that explains a lot!
Well, I can’t believe I only just found this out... but my pump IS a 2-speed pump, it was just wired as a single speed all along.
WTH!
Model 15UTMF-S2
www.carvinpool.com
Why would they have done that? So now the plan is to get two timers- one to turn the pump on and off and the other to run it at high or low speed. Any advice on low speed duration vs high speed?
My builder did the exact same thing!