Will larger pumps damage pool equipment?

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mikeyliny

Active member
Oct 14, 2020
37
long island, new york
Was leaning towards getting a 2 or 3 hp variable speed pump for a new pool installation (specs below). I was thinking to go larger should the need for more HP arise in the future or to cycle water faster if needed, but I am concerned when one of the installers told me that a larger pump would put too much stress on the system. This was echoed in a video by Swimming Pool Steve on YouTube where he stated that for most residential pools don't need more than 1.5 HP and that larger pumps can actually "damage peripheral pool equipment."

Is that true? If so, how should a pump that is too large be set to avoid damage?

Outdoor, inground 17K gallon pool
Northeast, occasionally large amount of debris
Using 400 BTU heater & salt chlorine generator & 80 gallon quad de cartridge filter
Plumbing: Pool uses 2" pipe & pump is around 20' from the wide edge of pool (40' x 15')
2 flow in and 2 flow out (each needs 0.25 HP)
 
I will let others give a definitive answer but im calling Bull on that as there are many here with 3HP vsp the point of vs is not having to run it full bore 24/7
 
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Mike,

Total Bull Feathers!!!

That rule makes some sense when using a single speed pump. When using a VS pump, the bigger the better. A VS pump is really a variable HP pump. You adjust the HP to match what mode the pool is in, what water features are running, etc.

This is the same reason the you can drive your 300 HP car through a school zone. :mrgreen:

The bigger the pump the slower you can run it and still move a lot of water.

I have two rent house pools with 1.5" plumbing that both have 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps.. They have been working fine for over 10 years.

I run them 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM for less than $20 bucks a month.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Jimrahbe said:
Mike,

Total Bull Feathers!!!

That rule makes some sense when using a single speed pump. When using a VS pump, the bigger the better. A VS pump is really a variable HP pump. You adjust the HP to match what mode the pool is in, what water features are running, etc.

This is the same reason the you can drive your 300 HP car through a school zone. :mrgreen:

The bigger the pump the slower you can run it and still move a lot of water.

I have two rent house pools with 1.5" plumbing that both have 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps.. They have been working fine for over 10 years.

I run them 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM for less than $20 bucks a month.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Yay so I was right lol and mine being 1.5 I have to run mine at 2000 to push water all the time lol
 
Jimrahbe said:
Mike,

Total Bull Feathers!!!

That rule makes some sense when using a single speed pump. When using a VS pump, the bigger the better. A VS pump is really a variable HP pump. You adjust the HP to match what mode the pool is in, what water features are running, etc.

This is the same reason the you can drive your 300 HP car through a school zone. :mrgreen:

The bigger the pump the slower you can run it and still move a lot of water.

I have two rent house pools with 1.5" plumbing that both have 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps.. They have been working fine for over 10 years.

I run them 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM for less than $20 bucks a month.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I had done my research a few months ago and didnt quite remember why I was settling on a larger unit. I was taken aback, worried and confused by what the installer was saying. I feel more comfortable now.
 
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Mike,

Most VS pumps are either 3 HP or 1.5 HP.. They vary a little, but that is mostly marketing...

So, in my mind you are either buying a large VS pump or the smaller VS pump.. Either will work just fine on your pool.

The only downside to the larger pump is the initial cost. I personally believe that they are built better, but I have no proof to back that up.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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