One-quarter of my electric energy consumption goes toward my pool equipment. I have 3 single speed motors, a 2 hp for circulation/spa/backwashing/vacuuming, a 2.5 hp for a waterfall, and a 3/4 hp for a pressure side cleaner (Polaris).
I've had this pool for many years. The plan has been to replace the circulation pump when it finally wears out with a VS pump. That time point has occurred. The 2 hp motor is finally 'toast,' after a good 8+ years of faithful service in the Dallas heat.
I have an energy monitoring system (location is in signature) so I know my energy consumption last year for my circulation pump was about 4500 kWh. At my current 9¢ electric rate, that's about $405 for the year.
Knowing how much of an energy hog a single-speed 2 hp motor is, I've got the run time down to the minimum required for good water quality and chemical dispensing, about 6.2 hrs/day on avg across the year (more in summer, less in winter).
After reading many postings here at this excellent site, it's pretty easy to conclude that it would be a pretty long pay-back period putting in a VS pump. My electric rate is too low. So, it's onward to finding a 2-speed motor or pump.
My (now dead) circ pump is a Sta-Rite Max-E-Glas II P4EA6G-152L, installed in 1996. It's a pre-1998 pump so it has a copper insert. It's also the 'up-rated' (vs. full) model. The motor is an A.O. Smith USQ1202, labeled as 2 HP / 1.1 SF, and labeled at 10.4 Amps (and 3450 rpm). (I believe this is the same motor as an SQ1152 1.5 hp / 1.47 sf motor. And thus I have a 1.5 hp impeller).
The pump itself continues to work fine, and has never been serviced - it's 15 years old now. The motor was replaced 8 years ago with an exact replacement of the original single speed motor.
I already have an automation system (Jandy AquaLink) with a spare relay available to connect to a 2-speed motor.
Details of my pool are in my signature - summary is it's 30,000 gallon, the circ pump is used for circ/backwashing/vacuuming/spa (with appropriate automation and valve control), 3 skimmers each with 1.5" pipe and a drain with 2" pipe, a 2" line for return outlets or spa, and a top of DE filter pressure meter range from 22 - 32 psi (clean vs full).
My fundamental questions are:
1. Is there a 2-speed A.O. Smith manufactured motor I can purchase that is a 'drop in' replacement for what I have?
2. Is there some other brand of 2-speed motor I should consider that would out perform or out-last a 2-speed A.O. Smith manufactured motor?
3. Is the currently offered 2 Hp Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro 2-speed pump's motor (P6RA6YG-207L) a 'drop in' replacement for the single speed motor I have? (I don't know if this 2 Hp pump is 'up-rated' or 'full'.)
4. Is there significant risk a 2-speed motor 'drop in' to my current Max-E-Glas II pump will not work well when running on low speed (i.e. difficulty of obtaining/maintaining prime)?
5. As long as my Max-E-Glas II pump has to be disassembled to replace the motor, are there some pump parts that should be replaced just as matter of 'good practice' (i.e. is there something like an 'overhaul kit' that should be purchased)?
6. Should I instead conclude 15 years is a plenty good life for a pump and thus replace the pump and motor as a complete assembly?
Many thanks for the kind assistance!
Best regards,
Bill
I've had this pool for many years. The plan has been to replace the circulation pump when it finally wears out with a VS pump. That time point has occurred. The 2 hp motor is finally 'toast,' after a good 8+ years of faithful service in the Dallas heat.
I have an energy monitoring system (location is in signature) so I know my energy consumption last year for my circulation pump was about 4500 kWh. At my current 9¢ electric rate, that's about $405 for the year.
Knowing how much of an energy hog a single-speed 2 hp motor is, I've got the run time down to the minimum required for good water quality and chemical dispensing, about 6.2 hrs/day on avg across the year (more in summer, less in winter).
After reading many postings here at this excellent site, it's pretty easy to conclude that it would be a pretty long pay-back period putting in a VS pump. My electric rate is too low. So, it's onward to finding a 2-speed motor or pump.
My (now dead) circ pump is a Sta-Rite Max-E-Glas II P4EA6G-152L, installed in 1996. It's a pre-1998 pump so it has a copper insert. It's also the 'up-rated' (vs. full) model. The motor is an A.O. Smith USQ1202, labeled as 2 HP / 1.1 SF, and labeled at 10.4 Amps (and 3450 rpm). (I believe this is the same motor as an SQ1152 1.5 hp / 1.47 sf motor. And thus I have a 1.5 hp impeller).
The pump itself continues to work fine, and has never been serviced - it's 15 years old now. The motor was replaced 8 years ago with an exact replacement of the original single speed motor.
I already have an automation system (Jandy AquaLink) with a spare relay available to connect to a 2-speed motor.
Details of my pool are in my signature - summary is it's 30,000 gallon, the circ pump is used for circ/backwashing/vacuuming/spa (with appropriate automation and valve control), 3 skimmers each with 1.5" pipe and a drain with 2" pipe, a 2" line for return outlets or spa, and a top of DE filter pressure meter range from 22 - 32 psi (clean vs full).
My fundamental questions are:
1. Is there a 2-speed A.O. Smith manufactured motor I can purchase that is a 'drop in' replacement for what I have?
2. Is there some other brand of 2-speed motor I should consider that would out perform or out-last a 2-speed A.O. Smith manufactured motor?
3. Is the currently offered 2 Hp Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro 2-speed pump's motor (P6RA6YG-207L) a 'drop in' replacement for the single speed motor I have? (I don't know if this 2 Hp pump is 'up-rated' or 'full'.)
4. Is there significant risk a 2-speed motor 'drop in' to my current Max-E-Glas II pump will not work well when running on low speed (i.e. difficulty of obtaining/maintaining prime)?
5. As long as my Max-E-Glas II pump has to be disassembled to replace the motor, are there some pump parts that should be replaced just as matter of 'good practice' (i.e. is there something like an 'overhaul kit' that should be purchased)?
6. Should I instead conclude 15 years is a plenty good life for a pump and thus replace the pump and motor as a complete assembly?
Many thanks for the kind assistance!
Best regards,
Bill
