My 2hp 9 year old Pentair just gave out. I'm thinking of replacing with a 2-speed motor at 1.5hp. Here's my plan:
WINTER: Run the low speed the required time for turnover/cleaning and save $$ over what I WAS doing.
SUMMER & "shoulder season" April-October: When I get plenty of sun for my roof top solar panels to bring my water to low-mid 80's (and 90's in mid summer) I'll just switch the 2 speed to HIGH.
The few bucks I'll save in the winter time running my filter on low should make me happy. My original motor installer put in the 2hp wanting to see "water flowing" from the 3 return lines but I think 2hp is OVERKILL even with my added Solar on my 1-story house. I want to replace with a 1-1/2hp Pentair Wisperflow or Jandy or comparible 2 speed 220v.
QUESTION TO YOU: Do I need any sort of "controller"? Do these 2 speed pumps have a "low" and "high" switch ON THEM? or are they just lead connections in its j-box that I have to wire from a 2 speed controller?
Do 2 speed pumps have trouble starting in LOW speed? I planned on turning my Solar Off during the winter so the LOW speed pump doesn't ever have to push water 30' to my 5 10' panels on the roof. When I turn my solar controller on for "the Season", I'll switch the pump to HIGH speed all summer long.
Are there any issues with priming in low speed or priming in high speed with the solar on? Do I need a controller to ALWAYS prime in HIGH then automatically switch to low? Is there a possibility that LOW on a 2-speed could run my Solar heating to keep the water in panels longer to collect more heat or will LOW speed not override the pressure relief on the solar?
Again, I have no spa or water feature, just my pool filter and a Pentail lx220 (????) solor controller to the jandy-valve to divert to the roof when its warm enough and back when it's cooling. I'm hoping to just replace the motor with a 2 speed but as a DIY guy, the thought of a "controller" scares me but if you have any recommendations, I'm willing.
thx!
WINTER: Run the low speed the required time for turnover/cleaning and save $$ over what I WAS doing.
SUMMER & "shoulder season" April-October: When I get plenty of sun for my roof top solar panels to bring my water to low-mid 80's (and 90's in mid summer) I'll just switch the 2 speed to HIGH.
The few bucks I'll save in the winter time running my filter on low should make me happy. My original motor installer put in the 2hp wanting to see "water flowing" from the 3 return lines but I think 2hp is OVERKILL even with my added Solar on my 1-story house. I want to replace with a 1-1/2hp Pentair Wisperflow or Jandy or comparible 2 speed 220v.
QUESTION TO YOU: Do I need any sort of "controller"? Do these 2 speed pumps have a "low" and "high" switch ON THEM? or are they just lead connections in its j-box that I have to wire from a 2 speed controller?
Do 2 speed pumps have trouble starting in LOW speed? I planned on turning my Solar Off during the winter so the LOW speed pump doesn't ever have to push water 30' to my 5 10' panels on the roof. When I turn my solar controller on for "the Season", I'll switch the pump to HIGH speed all summer long.
Are there any issues with priming in low speed or priming in high speed with the solar on? Do I need a controller to ALWAYS prime in HIGH then automatically switch to low? Is there a possibility that LOW on a 2-speed could run my Solar heating to keep the water in panels longer to collect more heat or will LOW speed not override the pressure relief on the solar?
Again, I have no spa or water feature, just my pool filter and a Pentail lx220 (????) solor controller to the jandy-valve to divert to the roof when its warm enough and back when it's cooling. I'm hoping to just replace the motor with a 2 speed but as a DIY guy, the thought of a "controller" scares me but if you have any recommendations, I'm willing.
thx!