Pentair Intelliflow VS - running at full speed all the time....

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Pprior

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Feb 14, 2018
74
Englewood, FL
(Our first pool....)

So I'm not sure my pool builder designed our pool in the best way possible and hope I can get some feedback.

Background: new pool build last fall. We have one Pentair intelliflow VS pump. It runs everything. The spa and pool modes are handled one at a time via a relayed switch (either/or can run). However we have an in-floor cleaning system that was installed (Paramount PCC2000 I believe) that was plumbed so it runs always when the pool circuit is on. Their literature states it's best to have dedicated pump, but I didn't know that during our design planning.

When pool initially setup pump was running about 2950 rpm and using about 1500watts. With the valve adjustments at baseline we had good spa overflow (our only water feature) but almost no pressure on the PCC2000 infloor (it states needs 17-23PSI to work properly). We called company and asked for it to be fixed.

Now after adjustment to get both the water overflow running and the in floor running with close to enough pressure the pool company has the pump running at max flow 3450rpm and using 2385 watts.

So basically our variable speed pump is running full speed all the time in order to create enough pressure to cause spa overflow and infloor to run properly. Schedule is set to run 9 hours a day.

I really don't think the in-floor should need to run all the time and this just seems a lot of electricity and wear on pump to be running full bore all the time during the day.

2.4KWH for pump x 0.08kwh x 9 hours = $1.73 a day cost x 365 days = ~630 dollars a year for running pool pump. Would it make sense to go back and plumb a second pump in that would only run (at full speed) a few hours a day for the infloor and then keep the VS pump running at much less speed to just have pool and spa overflow at other times? Will the pump die much sooner running at full output every day?

Sorry so long, I just don't know what I don't know. Appreciate any feedback or anything else I've misunderstood.
 
P,

I am not a fan of In-floor cleaning systems for just this very reason..

Not many here recommend them.. But, now that you have one..

I'd determine the amount of time you actually need to run it.. I suspect it will be based upon the time required to run through all the zones vs. how dirty the pool is.

I also suspect that your water returns are integrated into the IFCS, which makes not using it somewhat impossible.

Does your pool have actual eyeball returns on the pool walls?

If I could not abandon the system then I would for sure look at installing a separate pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
I have no idea how much we "need" to run it. Pool is in a cage in Florida so no leaves/debris just some sand and dirt from the environment. We like to hear the spa overflow running when we're outside as it's a nice feature just to see/hear but I doubt we need to be running our pump full speed for 9 hours a day like it is now, but IDK.

We have two "bubblers" returns, a spa return, a pool return and the infloor return all on separate valves. Yes we have eyeball returns and skimmer as well.

If we could adjust flow rate on the pump and turn it up when infloor returns are on I think that would solve our problem, but I can't find a setting in pentair other than just pump/flow rate and that seems to be a "master" pump speed that doesn't change. right now the infloor returns are not on an automated valve so whenever the pool circuit is on they are running full speed.

Are you recommending a separate pump due to electrical use, pump longevity, both, other?
 
I have the same opinion of in floors as Jim. They are energy hogs and based upon the collective experience of the forum, don't do that good of job either.

However, you could probably get away with just a couple hours of run time and just shut pump off after that. No need to run on low for longer unless you have a SWG. The extra run time at lower speed is unlikely to benefit the pool much after 2 hours of high speed.
 
P,

I'd slow the pump down to whatever it takes to run the salt cell.. For me that is about 1250 RPM.. Then, once a week I'd run the IFCS for 6 hours and see what happens.

Speed has little to do with the spa spillover working or not.. The faster the pump runs the more water that spills over, but it should spill over even running slowly.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Pprior said:
Now after adjustment to get both the water overflow running and the in floor running with close to enough pressure the pool company has the pump running at max flow 3450rpm and using 2385 watts.

So basically our variable speed pump is running full speed all the time in order to create enough pressure to cause spa overflow and infloor to run properly. Schedule is set to run 9 hours a day.
Click to expand...
Trying to run the in-floor system and the spa overflow at the same time doesn't really make sense.

You should run just one at a time. Do the in-floor system only the minimum amount necessary.

Then, do the spa spillover at a different time and only the minimum amount necessary.

You can run wall returns on low to get the required chlorine from the swg.
 
If the flow rate isn’t high enough the spa spillover makes no noise, and the noise is part of what we like about the pool. So that’s why it needs a certain flow rate.

I was thinking along the lines listed above - having our pool builder put in another automated valve on the IFCS so it can run by itself some of the time with the rest of the pool turned off.

I don’t think there is a way to change the pool pump speed during different times of the day, at least with the pentair settings I see the timing can be changed via the schedule, but pump speed is not able to be varied other than manually.

All this just makes the engineer in me happy, but with regards to my original question I’m not sure it’s necessary or if it will save me money in the long run. I just hate to see that high electrical use going on.
 
Do you have automation? If so, let us know what kind and we can tell you how to program that too. Many people with SWCGs run them at low speeds all of the day, then kick up to a higher speed for extra skimming, water features, etc.
 
I assume that you have Pentair automation. If not, your builder did you a serious disservice.

If you have Pentair automation, you should be able to schedule everything including the pump speed.
 

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Yes, I have pentair Easytouch automation. In the app I can’t see where I can change speed of pump in a scheduled event, but obviously I missed something. If I can, then I think I will ask them to install one more automated valve so IFCS only runs a few hours a day with pump at full speed and then rest of the time we should be able to back way down hopefully.
 
Pprior,
If you fill in your signature with all equipment you have it'll be easier to helping you as we don't have to keep asking equipment questions. Also, how are you testing ,what kits as you have a SWCG in the mix. What's the PH like with the spillover running for sound.
 
So I think I fixed my sig with proper info. The pool company takes care of the pool first year so I've not done any testing. I note they put in about 1/2 gal of muriatic acid weekly and maybe once a month they add about 4lb bicarb. Here is picture of the pool.
IMG_0831.jpeg
 
P,

To fully use ScreenLogic your phone needs two apps.. ScreenLogic and ScreenLogic Config.

I use my PC for any scheduling and programming, so it is much easier.

Just for reference here is a screenshot where I can adjust what speed the pump runs, depending on what the configuration the pool is in..

Heater Speed.PNG

Heater Speed.PNG


Since your pool is still new, I would talk with your pool builder and have them configure it to your liking..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
James - Unless it's running at full speed, the pressure isn't even close to what the IFCS requires. At the start it was getting only 3-5 PSI at the slower speed (2450rpm) with the spa overflow running. Only by turning pump up all the way can I get spa overflow enough to enjoy the noise and also pressure of 13-15PSI at the IFCS (which is still less than spec, but much better than when we started).

I will speak to them about the configuration - I appreciate all the feedback. My plan is to see if we can get an added automation valve kit installed and then run the IFCS at full speed by itself for a couple hours a day and then the rest of the day run everything else, hopefully given they will both be isolated they will each then be able to run at lower speeds and power settings.

How do you get screen logic setup on the computer? I only have Mac, not PC - nothing shows up on App Store.
 
Trying to run an in-floor cleaner and a spa overflow at the same time doesn't really make sense.

One is high pressure and the other is low pressure. That just isn't compatible.

You only need about 30 minutes to an hour probably for the in-floor.

Just schedule it to run by itself at a time when you won't care about the spa overflow.

Screenlogic pentair - Apple

Apple Store Search Results
www.apple.com
 
Last edited:
P,

The Download you need for your MAC is on the Pentair site under ScreenLogic protocol adapter.. I would just show a link, but I am having a 'busy" problem with my area's network.. ?

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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