Hello, I am in the process of installing 5 Pentair Magicstream laminars and I am looking for some help on gauging the correct water flow requirements. I have a Sta-Rite (Pentair) Intellipro VS which has a 2" intake and is dedicated solely to the laminars. The Pentair Magistream laminars each require a minimum of 10 GPM with 16 feet of head at the Laminar for maximum performance. They are located fairly close to the eq pad 10 feet away so I have very little pressure drop. I have plumbed a 10 foot 1 1/2" pipe from the IntelliPro to 1 1/2 inch manifold which feeds 5 1" ball valves, each of which feeds a laminar thur 1" flexible PVC. The laminar housings are encased in a concrete deck adjacent to the pool.
My question is how to correctly estimate the total requirements. Is it a case of simple multiplication (5 laminars x 10 GPM for a total GPM of 50) and also (5 laminars x 16 feet of head for a toal of 80 feet of head). If this is correct, all I have to do is make sure my pump can provide 50 GPM with 80 feet of dynamic head. The Intellipro manual has a performance chart which
indicates this is possible at approximately 3450 rpm, or just slightly less.
Is there anyone here who can advise if this approach makes sense, given that I should have very little pressure drop from the pump, or else advise me otherwise.
There is a secondary question which depends on the answer, it has to do with whether or not I need to install a master 1 1/2 ball valve before the manifold to reduce overall pressure. I know that the 5 1" ball valves can be used to compensate for individual adjustment but I do not think I need the master 1 1/2 ball valve because I don't think I will have excess pressure, but obviously that depends on my assumed multiplication theory. There would also be the issue of how to relieve excess pressure, if it should exist because I would not want early pump failure. I suppose I could use a diverter valve instead of a master ball valve and tap into a pool or spa return, which is possible and would require an additional check valve, that is possible but it is a plumbing PITA.
Please let me know if you have advice relative to my questions
Thanks in advance and thanks for making this a great forum, I just signed up last night.
Ponytrekker
My question is how to correctly estimate the total requirements. Is it a case of simple multiplication (5 laminars x 10 GPM for a total GPM of 50) and also (5 laminars x 16 feet of head for a toal of 80 feet of head). If this is correct, all I have to do is make sure my pump can provide 50 GPM with 80 feet of dynamic head. The Intellipro manual has a performance chart which
indicates this is possible at approximately 3450 rpm, or just slightly less.
Is there anyone here who can advise if this approach makes sense, given that I should have very little pressure drop from the pump, or else advise me otherwise.
There is a secondary question which depends on the answer, it has to do with whether or not I need to install a master 1 1/2 ball valve before the manifold to reduce overall pressure. I know that the 5 1" ball valves can be used to compensate for individual adjustment but I do not think I need the master 1 1/2 ball valve because I don't think I will have excess pressure, but obviously that depends on my assumed multiplication theory. There would also be the issue of how to relieve excess pressure, if it should exist because I would not want early pump failure. I suppose I could use a diverter valve instead of a master ball valve and tap into a pool or spa return, which is possible and would require an additional check valve, that is possible but it is a plumbing PITA.
Please let me know if you have advice relative to my questions
Thanks in advance and thanks for making this a great forum, I just signed up last night.
Ponytrekker