Yikes - as I was just about to plan this slowly, my pump just died suddenly this morning forcing my hand to do something very quick. So, I am looking at replacing the pump but want to make a smart choice of a quality, lasting pump balanced with good price. I would also like to lower electric costs if possible but not to the detriment of the system working well and causing other problems.
So here are my specifics. Pool in South Florida, electricity roughly 12.5 cents/kwh.
Pool is 'roughly' 15x30 (a little less with cut corners, etc) guessing around 13-15,000 gallons.
I have an Autopilot SWG SC-48.
I have a pool sweep currently a Pool Vac Ultra, funny part is new 'Pool Cleaner' showing up today with dead pump. Sweep is dedicated suction port.
I currently have a Hayward C-1200 cartridge filter - open to replacing this as well at some point
I have an old Fafco, soon to be Heliocol solar system - 7x10.5 panels on a single story roof, maybe 10' rise and its right by pool pad, so minimal piping.
Current dead pump is a Hayward Super Pump II, 1.5HP full rated.
I have read alot about sizing pump, 2 speed, variable, etc and I think my head is spinning at 3450 rpm like the pump. It seems all of my equipment kinda fights each other for design. Pool is 16 years old so I can't tell much about feet of piping other than the pool pad is like 10' from pool, so I don't think there is ton of piping, and I have no clue about 90's, etc. I do know it is 1.5" pipe.
Since pump is dead I now can't look, but iirc the pressure on a new filter cartridge is like 8-10psi without solar on and like 18-20 with solar on (approximately).
My old habit was pump on 8 hrs day, pool sweep always on, SWG on and solar on control (on in sun).
Going forward, I obviously need/want to have solar on (which is unpredictable during the day), SWG needs to be on, but I can run the sweep for just a few hours a few days a week (pool is under screen enclosure and I can stick an actuator on pool sweep to control on times).
Ok, so solar guy (replacing the 17 yr old panels after roof is redone) says I could get by with a 1HP pump and does not recommend low speeds, just full 1HP.
So, given all the detail above:
1. Which brand pump is recommended. I hear bad things about current Hayward pumps. Sound like Pentair is recommended and solar guy highly recommends Sta-Rite DuraGlas.
2. What size pump? With all the above do I need to just run a single speed and not worry about it, or can I do a 2 speed or variable? I know I need near full power for sweep, but not really sure about solar or SWG.
If I need to just go single speed, should I lower to a 1HP or keep 1.5HP like I have now. Difference in cost should be like $10 mo at 8hr per day. If I need single speed, should I look at something like the Whisperflo or Duraglas?
I appreciate the feedback and I would love to hear quickly as I need to order something like now before my pool turns on me. Thanks!
So here are my specifics. Pool in South Florida, electricity roughly 12.5 cents/kwh.
Pool is 'roughly' 15x30 (a little less with cut corners, etc) guessing around 13-15,000 gallons.
I have an Autopilot SWG SC-48.
I have a pool sweep currently a Pool Vac Ultra, funny part is new 'Pool Cleaner' showing up today with dead pump. Sweep is dedicated suction port.
I currently have a Hayward C-1200 cartridge filter - open to replacing this as well at some point
I have an old Fafco, soon to be Heliocol solar system - 7x10.5 panels on a single story roof, maybe 10' rise and its right by pool pad, so minimal piping.
Current dead pump is a Hayward Super Pump II, 1.5HP full rated.
I have read alot about sizing pump, 2 speed, variable, etc and I think my head is spinning at 3450 rpm like the pump. It seems all of my equipment kinda fights each other for design. Pool is 16 years old so I can't tell much about feet of piping other than the pool pad is like 10' from pool, so I don't think there is ton of piping, and I have no clue about 90's, etc. I do know it is 1.5" pipe.
Since pump is dead I now can't look, but iirc the pressure on a new filter cartridge is like 8-10psi without solar on and like 18-20 with solar on (approximately).
My old habit was pump on 8 hrs day, pool sweep always on, SWG on and solar on control (on in sun).
Going forward, I obviously need/want to have solar on (which is unpredictable during the day), SWG needs to be on, but I can run the sweep for just a few hours a few days a week (pool is under screen enclosure and I can stick an actuator on pool sweep to control on times).
Ok, so solar guy (replacing the 17 yr old panels after roof is redone) says I could get by with a 1HP pump and does not recommend low speeds, just full 1HP.
So, given all the detail above:
1. Which brand pump is recommended. I hear bad things about current Hayward pumps. Sound like Pentair is recommended and solar guy highly recommends Sta-Rite DuraGlas.
2. What size pump? With all the above do I need to just run a single speed and not worry about it, or can I do a 2 speed or variable? I know I need near full power for sweep, but not really sure about solar or SWG.
If I need to just go single speed, should I lower to a 1HP or keep 1.5HP like I have now. Difference in cost should be like $10 mo at 8hr per day. If I need single speed, should I look at something like the Whisperflo or Duraglas?
I appreciate the feedback and I would love to hear quickly as I need to order something like now before my pool turns on me. Thanks!