[SWG] I've been running my 2.6 HP pump at full speed for 10 hrs/day for years. Should I be using low speed for part of the day?

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M

Mayday

Member
Jul 6, 2024
22
Jacksonville, FL
Pool Size
12000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
I have a 12000 gallon saltwater pool with a 2.6/0.43 hp pump that offers a lower speed. For the past 7 years, I just used the full speed for about 10 hours a day, like 9:AM to 7:00 PM.

Is this a mistake? Should I run the pump at full speed all the time, or should I run full for a while, then switch to low speed for a while? Full speed is pretty loud compared to slower speed. Any disadvantages to run it slow half the time?

The label on the pump says: THP: 2.6/0.43, RPM: 3450/1725
 
You run the pump for a reason.

Does low speed make the skimmer door bob away ?

Does low speed activate the SWG ?

If so, theres no reason for high speed so you should save gobs of money running low speed.
 
Newdude said:
You run the pump for a reason.

Does low speed make the skimmer door bob away ?

Does low speed activate the SWG ?

If so, theres no reason for high speed so you should save gobs of money running low speed.
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I don't get an error from the swg for low flow, but the way you are describing, it sounds like I should be running at low speed all the time then. Should I not even split the running time between two modes? Is there no reason to run at full speed, except to drive a cleaner robot?

Also, does running the pump at slow speed require running it longer? I got the 10 hours figure from the swg tables to generate enough chlorine. I don't know if lower speeds means less chlorine generation.
 
Mayday said:
Is there no reason to run at full speed, except to drive a cleaner robot?
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Usually heaters need more flow too. But if low speed is accomplishing what you need done, its foolish to spend 10X (?) more on high speed.
Mayday said:
I don't know if lower speeds means less chlorine generation.
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Swgs are either off or on. The % is how much of the 10 hours they are on. 50% of 10 hours is 5 hours on, in an on off on off on off cycle.
Mayday said:
I got the 10 hours figure from the swg tables to generate enough chlosing
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No table/chart knows what the weather is doing, or which point it is in the season. The season starts with low FC loss and gradually increases to peak loss, before falling for the back half of the season. Imagine a bell curve. You mid season in FL is very long and relatively constant for that part, but there is still a before and after. The SWG barely needs to run to make 1ppm a day and needs to run 4x much or maybe even 5x as much in the mid season for you.

Screenshot_20240530_071853_Chrome (1).jpg
 
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