Any California peeps on here? As we transition into the fall months, I'm wondering how long to set the timers for my pump and vacuum to run each day? Temps have been in the 90s but will be dropping down to the 70/80 range. Nighttime temps get down to the 50s overnight. Pool specs are in my signature and my chlorine numbers are stable. Any input from the professionals on here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
How long to run the pump each day?
- Thread starter coleson412
- Start date
There is a great article in pool school that, in summary, says "it depends" but also gives you some rules of thumb and guidelines.
Miley me see if I can find it...
- - - Updated - - -
Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time
Miley me see if I can find it...
- - - Updated - - -
Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time
Thanks for that! I've been running the pump about 4 hours a day so sounds like I should maintain that and could possibly drop to 2-3 hours in the cooler months when no one is swimming.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,829
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I usually go down to 1 hour per day during the winter without any issues. When it is really cold, I will sometimes just shut off the pump for a couple of weeks.
I run it with my pump on its slowest setting (just enough to trip the flow meter on my SWG) for 2x4 hours.
Mia's it cools off I will drop the 4, to 3, and 2. Probably overkill.
Mia's it cools off I will drop the 4, to 3, and 2. Probably overkill.
The reason for this is that the power it takes to move water follows a 3rd power relationship.
Double the flow and you need 2x2x2 or 8x the amount of power. This is an oversimplification, but it translates largely in real life.
So, 80 GPM x 1 hour takes a lot more total power than 40 GPM for 2 hours.
Another way way to look at this is that at 1200 RPM, my filter pressure won't lift the needle off the 0 PSI mark. At 3x this RPM, it is at 20 PSI. So more than 20x the force with only 3x the speed.
So so why not run at the slowest speed? Well at some point the pump loses efficiency if you run it too slowly, and if you are trying to skim, you won't get enough flow to get the floating thinks off the surface.
Double the flow and you need 2x2x2 or 8x the amount of power. This is an oversimplification, but it translates largely in real life.
So, 80 GPM x 1 hour takes a lot more total power than 40 GPM for 2 hours.
Another way way to look at this is that at 1200 RPM, my filter pressure won't lift the needle off the 0 PSI mark. At 3x this RPM, it is at 20 PSI. So more than 20x the force with only 3x the speed.
So so why not run at the slowest speed? Well at some point the pump loses efficiency if you run it too slowly, and if you are trying to skim, you won't get enough flow to get the floating thinks off the surface.
Thanks for the additional insight! My pump seems to be one speed. I will play with it and see how my water responds to the 1-2 hour limits as the temps dip.
borjis
LifeTime Supporter
I run 2 hours a day in season. (May-Sept) (longer on weekends / heater running days)
2 hours per week off season. (Oct-Apr) (only for suction robot vac cleaning every saturday morning)
2 hours per week off season. (Oct-Apr) (only for suction robot vac cleaning every saturday morning)
Surf_ox
0
Does running the pump longer cause the chlorine to "burn off" quicker.
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Surf_ox
0
Burn off might be the wrong word.
Does agitating the water by running pump cause any incremental chlorine loss vs chlorine loss with pump off?
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Burned off is fine, or used up or oxidized. Same answer. Pump on doesn't change anything.