So recently, we took a trip to Europe and when we came back, our pool pump (WhisperFlo) was not working properly. It seemed that while it was capable of running, it was not pumping as well as before. This was evident because the pressure was running about 10 psi below what it normally runs and was making some strange noise. Also, our Zodiac MX8 automatic cleaner ("Max") was looking quite sad, slowly and meekly moving along the floor of the pool. Figuring that it was time to replace it with a variable speed pump, I lined up a Pentair IntelliFlo 011018. This pump includes a controller with touchpad, and since I've not figured out a solution for automation yet, I decided this would be the way to go. BTW, this is an OUTSTANDING pump with plenty of great features, including the ability to program individual run times for 8 different speeds. However, as with any pump, it must be configured and plumbed properly to truly shine. Which brings me to my ordeal in getting this accomplished...
The pump install version 1:
So, I turned off the circuit breaker to the equipment pad and proceded to remove the 220V wiring to the pump. I then used my SawsAll to cut the pipe off at the suction side, twisted off the 2" threaded pipe on the inlet of the pump, and cut off the pipe at the outlet of the pump. I removed the WhisperFlo and set forth to plumb the new pump in place. Unfortunately, the pipes from the heater crossed over the top of the original pump, and these would interfere with opening the cover of the IntelliFlo's control panel. So, I used a couple of 45 couplers and new 2" PVC to reroute the heater return line above the heater's inlet, giving space to open the panel. Upon removing the line from the pump to the filter (which contained an old check valve), I ended up breaking this line, so it had to be replaced as well. I plumbed this with new 2" PVC and fittings, along with a new check valve. I used threaded unions on the pump this time (instead of the way it was done before), and also included slip unions on the filter line around the check valve for easy replacement. For the suction side, I had no space coming out of the suction manifold, which was directly attached to a Jandy NeverLube 2" valve. The previous installer had used a coupler and it was flush with the Jandy valve. So, I cut this between the Jandy valve outlet and the coupler. My mistake here was to try to remove the 2" PVC pipe that was glued into the output port of the Jandy valve using a 2 1/4" hole saw. This was the perfect fit for a 2" PVC pipe and after some tribulation trying to get the saw to work properly, I was able to clear the PVC inside the output port. Unfortunately, this was a little to large in diameter, and the fit was a bit on the loose side for a new PVC pipe. But, I figured that adding plenty of PVC glue would work. After completing the suction side plumbing, connecting the 220V line to the IntelliFlo and adding water to the pump's strainer pot, I turned on the pump. It struggled to prime, and while it did get some water to flow, I knew that there was a problem on the suction side. I had to do this right.
The pump install version 1:
So, I turned off the circuit breaker to the equipment pad and proceded to remove the 220V wiring to the pump. I then used my SawsAll to cut the pipe off at the suction side, twisted off the 2" threaded pipe on the inlet of the pump, and cut off the pipe at the outlet of the pump. I removed the WhisperFlo and set forth to plumb the new pump in place. Unfortunately, the pipes from the heater crossed over the top of the original pump, and these would interfere with opening the cover of the IntelliFlo's control panel. So, I used a couple of 45 couplers and new 2" PVC to reroute the heater return line above the heater's inlet, giving space to open the panel. Upon removing the line from the pump to the filter (which contained an old check valve), I ended up breaking this line, so it had to be replaced as well. I plumbed this with new 2" PVC and fittings, along with a new check valve. I used threaded unions on the pump this time (instead of the way it was done before), and also included slip unions on the filter line around the check valve for easy replacement. For the suction side, I had no space coming out of the suction manifold, which was directly attached to a Jandy NeverLube 2" valve. The previous installer had used a coupler and it was flush with the Jandy valve. So, I cut this between the Jandy valve outlet and the coupler. My mistake here was to try to remove the 2" PVC pipe that was glued into the output port of the Jandy valve using a 2 1/4" hole saw. This was the perfect fit for a 2" PVC pipe and after some tribulation trying to get the saw to work properly, I was able to clear the PVC inside the output port. Unfortunately, this was a little to large in diameter, and the fit was a bit on the loose side for a new PVC pipe. But, I figured that adding plenty of PVC glue would work. After completing the suction side plumbing, connecting the 220V line to the IntelliFlo and adding water to the pump's strainer pot, I turned on the pump. It struggled to prime, and while it did get some water to flow, I knew that there was a problem on the suction side. I had to do this right.