Pump size calculator or recommendation please 1.5HP vs 2HP

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Rockstead

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2010
476
Montreal, QC, Canada
Pool Size
100000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
I have an 18x36 inground pool, 8 feet deep, 3 feet shallow, pool math tells me it’s 100,000 litres (26,417 Gallons).

I have 1 x Skimmer, 3 x returns in pool and another 2 x returns in stairs managed by a separate valve.

I have a heater, SWG, and a 300 pound sand filter.

My current Hayward pump is 1HP 2-speed, it’s just not powerful enough in this configuration, suction for Vacuum or return jets are weak without constant backwashing.

VSP is just not in the budget, but I have a local guy that sells refurbished pumps and has 1.5HP 2-speed for sale that is affordable.

With my configuration, is it worth going 1.5HP 2-speed from my current 1HP 1-speed? Or am I better off waiting for a 2HP 2-speed to come up for sale?

Thanks
 
Without being in a rush if it's still backordered, I'd consider the 3 HP Calimar for $519. You wont be able to control the RPMs with your automation, but you can't control them now, so it's no loss.
Rockstead said:
With my configuration, is it worth going 1.5HP 2-speed from my current 1HP 1-speed?
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It is certainly worth considering. Low speed on a 1.5 HP may not be enough to run your heater and SWG and there's no way to know until you try it because no two systems are the same. That's where the VS pump shines because if needed, you can just increase 200 or 700 or whatever RPMs you need.

Rockstead said:
it’s just not powerful enough in this configuration, suction for Vacuum or return jets are weak without constant backwashing.
Click to expand...
Was it ever OK? Quick filter cycles are rarely a filter problem, and almost always are a chemistry problem. You need to Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to know for sure.
 
Newdude said:
Without being in a rush if it's still backordered, I'd consider the 3 HP Calimar for $519. You wont be able to control the RPMs with your automation, but you can't control them now, so it's no loss.

It is certainly worth considering. Low speed on a 1.5 HP may not be enough to run your heater and SWG and there's no way to know until you try it because no two systems are the same. That's where the VS pump shines because if needed, you can just increase 200 or 700 or whatever RPMs you need.


Was it ever OK? Quick filter cycles are rarely a filter problem, and almost always are a chemistry problem. You need to Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to know for sure.
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I don’t think it was ever okay since moving from my original 2HP 1-speed.

I’m pretty good with my chemistry, and I have a short season as I’m in a cold climate, I find with the SWG it’s pretty stable.

So you opened my eyes to the CMARVSP3.0, to be honest I didn’t think a VSP was in the cards, I’m in Canada and would have to pick it up in the USA, but it’s feasible and I’m surprised how affordable it is, ok lots of questions.

- All my past pumps have had to be repaired at some point, and I’ve always had a popular brand like Hayward which anyone can repair, will a repair shop even bother trying to look at a brand like Calimar? Are the parts interchangeable with pumps like Hayward? Otherwise I see it is a risk if I have to replace it every time it breaks.

- You mention my Automation system won’t be compatible (Hayward Aqualogic P2), but I can still wired it to my automation to turn on/off I’m assuming?

- I have never had a VSP pump before, does it adjust automatically to the current needs or do I have to dial it in? I guess I’m a little nervous on the dialing in part and what that means, is that easy to do for a novice?

- Should I maybe consider a used Hayward VSP that would be compatible with my Aqualogic P2? Does that even exist and which model should I look for? My Hayward Aqualogic P4 automation system is on firmware 2.5, I’m told I can’t upgrade it to a higher version, so I think it might limit some VSP compatibility but I’m not sure.
 
Rockstead said:
I don’t think it was ever okay since moving from my original 2HP 1-speed
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It could very well be a couple of things going on, but less flow is less PSI, it doesn't make more PSI.

When was the last time the filter was deep cleaned ? It should be done yearly. The sand may be gummed up and no longer functioning as it should. You have to get in there to find out. If it's still sand like, even if its filthy, it'll clean as good as new. If it's rubbery or otherwise gummed up, it's time for new sand.

On top of that, you need to run the overnight test. I'd do both before spending a penny.
Rockstead said:
Are the parts interchangeable with pumps like Hayward?
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The parts are interchangeable within its universe, the same as the big 3. Black and Decker and Circupool are sister pumps.
Rockstead said:
You mention my Automation system won’t be compatible (Hayward Aqualogic P2), but I can still wired it to my automation to turn on/off I’m assuming?
Click to expand...
The automation will turn it on/off similar to how a timer would. The pump will remember it's last setting and resume after priming. You won't have the ability to adjust it through the automation/app, as they won't 'speak the same language'. But you can't adjust your current pump now, so it's much less of a deal breaker.
Rockstead said:
guess I’m a little nervous on the dialing in part and what that means, is that easy to do for a novice?
Click to expand...
They are really variable HP. Take the honking 3HP for example. It'll move a lot of water and skimming / filtering and the SWG work much lower. So you 'dial it down' where everything works OK, and save a ton of electricity. The 3 HP moves more water than the 1.5 HP at the same RPM, allowing the 3 HP to run slower while still pushing the flow you need, saving more energy than the 1.5 HP.

The caveat is that if it's a big cost increase for the larger pump, the 1.5HP or 2 HP will still reap most of the savings and take a long time for the 3 HP to ROI. With the Calimars it will pay for itself much sooner, being so affordable.

Rockstead said:
Should I maybe consider a used Hayward VSP that would be compatible with my Aqualogic P2? Does that even exist and which model should I look for? My Hayward Aqualogic P4 automation system is on firmware 2.5, I’m told I can’t upgrade it to a higher version, so I think it might limit some VSP compatibility but I’m not sure.
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Let's call @herman and @ajw22. I'm not too fluent in Hayward.
 
Rockstead said:
I have an 18x36 inground pool, 8 feet deep, 3 feet shallow, pool math tells me it’s 100,000 litres (26,417 Gallons).

I have 1 x Skimmer, 3 x returns in pool and another 2 x returns in stairs managed by a separate valve.

I have a heater, SWG, and a 300 pound sand filter.

My current Hayward pump is 1HP 2-speed, it’s just not powerful enough in this configuration, suction for Vacuum or return jets are weak without constant backwashing.

VSP is just not in the budget, but I have a local guy that sells refurbished pumps and has 1.5HP 2-speed for sale that is affordable.

With my configuration, is it worth going 1.5HP 2-speed from my current 1HP 1-speed? Or am I better off waiting for a 2HP 2-speed to come up for sale?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Do you mean AquaLogic PS? If so, what is the number that follows? It will be a 4, 8, or (unlikely) 16. How many relays are in the high-voltage area below the control panel?
Depending on which you have, there are ways to make a VSP work with it.
 
Newdude said:
The parts are interchangeable within its universe, the same as the big 3. Black and Decker and Circupool are sister pumps.
Click to expand...

It seems in Canada those pumps are not distributed, I’m only seeing Hayward, Jandy, Pentair, that’s why I’m worried that servicing won’t be an option if I run in to issues, but then again a VS pump from Hayward in my area cost 3-4x the cost of the Calimar, so it could be worth the risk in any case, it would have just been nice if I could bring it to any repair tech when a bearing or seal eventually breaks down.
 
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Rockstead said:
but then again a VS pump from Hayward in my area cost 3-4x the cost of the Calimar, so it could be worth the risk in any case
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That's where I've been since the shortages when the big 3 became too rich for my blood. *if* i needed 3 or 4 of the other pump, I'd laugh that I broke even and avoided the big 3. Statistics says the first pump would go the distance.

And thanks to quality control tanking everywhere, nothing says the expensive pumps will last anymore either. We might need 3 or 4 of each. :ROFLMAO:

Just my personal opinion, feel free to agree with some, all, or none of it. :)
 
Newdude said:
That's where I've been since the shortages when the big 3 became too rich for my blood. *if* i needed 3 or 4 of the other pump, I'd laugh that I broke even and avoided the big 3. Statistics says the first pump would go the distance.

And thanks to quality control tanking everywhere, nothing says the expensive pumps will last anymore either. We might need 3 or 4 of each. :ROFLMAO:

Just my personal opinion, feel free to agree with some, all, or none of it. :)
Click to expand...
I noticed the Calimar is 2”, while my current plumbing for my equipment is 1.5”, is that an issue to plumb something that reduces the Calimar to 1.5”?
 

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