Hi. I came into a FibroHeat 109 heat pump VERY cheaply. Not what I would have bought at full price, but it is what it is. Because previously I was only running a 1 HP single speed pump and a pool light, I only had 25 amps going through 1/2 inch conduit under concrete to my pool equipment. I tried running the water pump at 115 volts - that was a no go. I've also tried running the heat pump through a 25 amp breaker - no go. I'm trying to avoid running any more conduit to the pool equipment, because that means either running above ground (just against this esthetically, no other reason) or trying to squeeze enough amps/wire through 1/2 inch underground conduit that is existing. Here's what I know based on my current readings:
Pool light: 3.2 amps max
Water pump: 6.7 amps max
Heat pump: 33 amps max, then drops to 30.6 amps
Total: 40.5 amps
Based on my very novice calculations, my assumption has been that 40 amps is all I can get through that conduit - however, I talked to an electrician who thinks I can get 50 amps because running that power to a separate electrical box at the equipment means I can use smaller than 8 gauge wire across the board. I hope he's right, maybe someone can confirm? In any case, will running 50 amps to the equipment work based on what I posted above? If not, where can I get savings? The heat pump manual says it's supposed to run at 27 amps, would recharging refrigerant or servicing the unit help lower the power draw? What about changing out my light or water pump? Could those provide enough savings to make 50 (or even 40) amps work? Thanks!
Also, any idea how quickly this might heat a 14k gallon pool? Just curious.
Pool light: 3.2 amps max
Water pump: 6.7 amps max
Heat pump: 33 amps max, then drops to 30.6 amps
Total: 40.5 amps
Based on my very novice calculations, my assumption has been that 40 amps is all I can get through that conduit - however, I talked to an electrician who thinks I can get 50 amps because running that power to a separate electrical box at the equipment means I can use smaller than 8 gauge wire across the board. I hope he's right, maybe someone can confirm? In any case, will running 50 amps to the equipment work based on what I posted above? If not, where can I get savings? The heat pump manual says it's supposed to run at 27 amps, would recharging refrigerant or servicing the unit help lower the power draw? What about changing out my light or water pump? Could those provide enough savings to make 50 (or even 40) amps work? Thanks!
Also, any idea how quickly this might heat a 14k gallon pool? Just curious.