VSP Selection

trivetman · Jul 14, 2022

I know everyone loves the Intelliflow. Has anyone tried the Whisperflo VSP? Its not as large (2.6 Thp) as Intelliflo but should be plenty of power for my pool.

The one place I called today says inventory is still an issue. Intelliflow isn’t even available. The whisperflo vsp sounds like it might be a good fit. They also had a Hayward with less power for more money which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me

Any off brands which are worth looking at and where to buy them?

ajw22 · Jul 14, 2022

If you have no plans for automation then look at the Calimar, Circupool or Black & Decker VS pumps all of which appear to be identical and the only thing that varies is the price and the warranty....

CaliMar Variable Speed Pool Pump

I installed the 3 HP Calimar VSP pool pump (this pump) this weekend on my small pool. The old single speed pump was pretty loud and started leaking. I mostly installed to save money (the cheap price of the pump was a selling point) and had no desire/need for a full automation system. I just hand...

www.troublefreepool.com

Black + Decker Pool Pumps any good?

I am looking to replace a pool pump with a variable speed, and noticed Black + Decker has an option that is half the price of Hayward/Pentair. Does anyone have any experience with these? I was looking at the 3hp model. I believe they have a 2year warranty.

www.troublefreepool.com

trivetman · Jul 14, 2022

@ajw22 - thanks. I actually asked the guy I talked to about the Calimar 3.0 and he said it would be too small. Maybe he didn’t realize I was asking about the larger size as theres also a 1.5 version.

The Calimar 3.0 will definitely be enough power? The pump curve makes it look like it will be. It’ll be replacing a single speed whisperflo 1.65thp which has no trouble priming and the calimar 3.0 pump curve sits to the right of the whisperflo at full speed rpm

ajw22 · Jul 14, 2022

Considering your Whisperflo is 1.5 HP I don't see why he says the Calimar 1.5 is too small.

The 1.5 should do fine and the 3 HP will be more than enough. With a VS pump you are going to be running it in low RPMs anyway and the 3.0 will be more energy efficient at the same HP as the 1.5 pump.

1poolman1 · Jul 14, 2022

trivetman said:
I know everyone loves the Intelliflow. Has anyone tried the Whisperflo VSP? Its not as large (2.6 Thp) as Intelliflo but should be plenty of power for my pool.

The one place I called today says inventory is still an issue. Intelliflow isn’t even available. The whisperflo vsp sounds like it might be a good fit. They also had a Hayward with less power for more money which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me

Any off brands which are worth looking at and where to buy them?

Whisperflo is a slightly less powerful version of the Intelliflo with the Superflo motor. It would be a good choice.
The Superflo is a medium head pump, the Whisperflo is a high head pump.

trivetman · Jul 24, 2022

So....thinking more about VSP's, there's two things I am hoping to find out.

1) Can I clear clogs in the impeller easily? I get a lot of pine needles which constantly clog things up. I can put some hairnets on the skimmers if need be but it'll only do so much good.

I've definitely read some posts where people have to disassemble their pump to clear an impeller clog because the impeller is just too far into the machine to reach. How do I screen for that?

2) Having enough flow for the swg at the lowest rpm possible is best right? Here's four I am looking at and what the head curves look like at low rpm's. (note - not all the same rpm. I'm working with the info I can find). Am I that much more likely to hit enough flow for the swg with the larger waterway or hayward 2.7 rather than the whisperflo or hayward 1.85?

Apprx cost

1475

1300

1475

1800

~rpm

1750

1400

1750

waterway 2.7

whisperflo vst

hayward tristar 1.85

hayward tristar 2.7

gpm

feet of head

0

20

15

20

23

10

20

15

20

23

20

14

19

22

30

18

13

16

21

40

16

10

15

21

50

17

8

13

20

60

15

5

10

19

70

14

0

8

15