Replace motor or pump and motor?

[Razorhog]

My current motor is 1 speed, 1.5hp and old and loud. I was thinking of replacing it with a variable speed motor so that it uses less energy and is not as loud. Replacing it with a variable speed motor that is compatible with my Jacuzzi Magnum Force pump shouldn't be hard. The Inyopools PL1116 should work. However, there are some issues.
1 - the pump is 12 years old, just like the motor. There is a slow leak somewhere around the seal. Should the pump be replaced too? My power company is currently offering a $300 rebate for energy star rated pumps, I don't think replacing just the motor would apply.
2 - if I replace the pump too, I would be afraid that the PVC pipes would have to be redone, and the installers glued the screw-in fittings to the multivalve, so that would need to be replaced too.
3 - The multivalve has a slow leak somewhere that drips on the motor and has started a large rusted area on it. You can see it on the motor right next to the label. So I might need to replace the multivalve anyway.
4 - the area is cramped and the sand filter attachments are directly above the pump motor. I"ll have to measure the clearance but I'm afraid the variable speed motors with the large timer box would not fit.

Thoughts, comments? Should I just leave it be until it dies?

 

[jblizzle]

1. Depends if there is any problems with the pump. With the rebate (assuming they do not required you buy from a certain place and have a licensed installer), I might consider replacing the whole thing.

2/3. Why would you need to replace the multi-valve? Couldn't you just align the discharge of the new pump below your current vertical pipe? You might have to change the vertical length and add a union, but I don't think you need to mess with the multi-valve. Then you can just adjust on the suction side as needed to get things aligned. BUT, now I just read there is a leak, so you would want to ID that first to decide the path forward.

4. Could you rotate the pump 90 degrees CCW? Would have to add a 90 to the suction line and then a couple turns to get the pressure side lined back up.

 

[Razorhog]

No problems with the pump, other than a slow leak somewhere. It's probably where the motor seals onto the pump, so I would be replacing those seals if replacing the motor.
I'm going to try and track down the source of the leak from the multivalve. Last year it seemed to be coming from that plug/screw on the left side. If it is, maybe all it needs is lube or a new o-ring.
Rotating the pump 90 CCW is an interesting idea. I'll look into it but it might make for some crazy plumbing. I've read that you shouldn't put a 90 angle directly into the suction side of a pump (although mine is pretty close to that already)
I've entertained the idea of moving the sand filter over to the left some, but the concrete ends soon and a water spigot is fairly close on the other side. This equipment area is just too tight.

 

[jblizzle]

The requirement for straight pipe into the pump is an older recommendation for pumps without the large strainer baskets so the flow was smooth into the impeller. That just does not really apply anymore, even though the manuals always state the need for straight pipe.

You could also use a Ram Bit to bore out the pipe going into the fitting you say is glued into the multi-port, then you could redo that whole set of pressure pipe to only have 2 90s between the rotated pump and the valve.

 

[Razorhog]

The requirement for straight pipe into the pump is an older recommendation for pumps without the large strainer baskets so the flow was smooth into the impeller. That just does not really apply anymore, even though the manuals always state the need for straight pipe.

You could also use a Ram Bit to bore out the pipe going into the fitting you sat is glued into the multi-port, then you could redo that whole set of pressure pipe to only have 2 90s between the rotated pump and the valve.

Wow, never heard of a Ram bit before, thanks!!

 

[jblizzle]

I recently bought one, but have as yet not tried to use it.