Hello, I have a painted concrete, ~7,000 gallon in-ground pool, in Tampa Bay, FL with a non-functioning waterfall (was leaking, so capped line at pump), and I am looking for advice on sizing a new pump or motor. In the future, I would maybe like to get the waterfall functioning again – it is a flagstone, stepped waterfall that has 3-4 outlets at the top where the water flows out of – they don’t look very large in diameter. The water runs down the flagstone steps until it is deposited into the pool.
Current Equipment:
• Pentair Whisperflo with 220V A.O. Smith B854 1.5 HP, 56Y Frame Uprate Motor – Motor & Seal plate Replaced in July 2010
• Pentair Clean & Clear Pool Filter – At least 150 square feet if not 200 square feet based on filter height (sticker on back of filter, not visible due to proximity to wall).
• I replaced the skimmer early this year due to cracked plastic causing large leak with a Hayward SP10712S Skim-Master Series from Amazon.
• Tropical 102,000 BTU Pool Heater (hardly ever used, I actually have had the breaker switched off for at least 2 years)
• ~7,000 gallon pool with 1 main drain, 1 skimmer, 4 return jets
• Height of pump is about level with the main drain, 36” to return jets height, and 42” to skimmer plumbing height.
• Pump inlet is 2”, filter plumbing 2”, return jet 1-1/2” plumbing, waterfall return 2-1/2” at pump valve (capped off, not sure of sizing at actual waterfall)
o Pool Heater & Filter are from previous home with a large 20,000+ gallon pool
It all started a week ago because I wanted to replace some loud motor bearings. While disassembling the motor, I realized one of the threaded inserts in the seal plate had come loose (the same thing happened in 2010) and I also snapped one of the long quarter-inch retaining bolts
Now I have 3 options:
1. Replace with new pump + motor combo, appropriately sized this time.
2. Replace seal plate, pump gaskets + new 2 speed motor
3. Replace seal plate, pump gaskets + new 1 speed motor
I was really interested in the Variable Speed motors until I read some posts by mas985 and downloaded his Excel calculator (I got lost in all the numbers though). I realized in Florida, living 40 miles from Tampa, FL, which is the lightning capital of the world, and also with our low energy rates - $0.11/kwH, it didn’t make sense to get a variable speed. So now I am really torn between the 3 options listed above.
With option 2, I’d want to also change all the pump gaskets (~$20) and the seal plate ($54) when I factor in a new 2 speed motor (Hayward SPX3210Z2BER 1-Horsepower 2 Speed Energy Efficient Full Rate Motor Replacement for Hayward Tristar SP3200EE Series Pump - $280.99 Amazon.com), it is only $90 more for a Pentair 340042 SuperFlo High Performance Energy Efficient Two Speed Pump, 1 Horsepower, 230 Volt, 1 Phase - $447 off Amazon.
With option 3, it is a little less expensive, but I don’t know if I’d end up paying more than the difference with option 2 in increased energy usage.
I look forward to hearing your opinions,
Frank
Current Equipment:
• Pentair Whisperflo with 220V A.O. Smith B854 1.5 HP, 56Y Frame Uprate Motor – Motor & Seal plate Replaced in July 2010
• Pentair Clean & Clear Pool Filter – At least 150 square feet if not 200 square feet based on filter height (sticker on back of filter, not visible due to proximity to wall).
• I replaced the skimmer early this year due to cracked plastic causing large leak with a Hayward SP10712S Skim-Master Series from Amazon.
• Tropical 102,000 BTU Pool Heater (hardly ever used, I actually have had the breaker switched off for at least 2 years)
• ~7,000 gallon pool with 1 main drain, 1 skimmer, 4 return jets
• Height of pump is about level with the main drain, 36” to return jets height, and 42” to skimmer plumbing height.
• Pump inlet is 2”, filter plumbing 2”, return jet 1-1/2” plumbing, waterfall return 2-1/2” at pump valve (capped off, not sure of sizing at actual waterfall)
o Pool Heater & Filter are from previous home with a large 20,000+ gallon pool
It all started a week ago because I wanted to replace some loud motor bearings. While disassembling the motor, I realized one of the threaded inserts in the seal plate had come loose (the same thing happened in 2010) and I also snapped one of the long quarter-inch retaining bolts
Now I have 3 options:
1. Replace with new pump + motor combo, appropriately sized this time.
2. Replace seal plate, pump gaskets + new 2 speed motor
3. Replace seal plate, pump gaskets + new 1 speed motor
I was really interested in the Variable Speed motors until I read some posts by mas985 and downloaded his Excel calculator (I got lost in all the numbers though). I realized in Florida, living 40 miles from Tampa, FL, which is the lightning capital of the world, and also with our low energy rates - $0.11/kwH, it didn’t make sense to get a variable speed. So now I am really torn between the 3 options listed above.
With option 2, I’d want to also change all the pump gaskets (~$20) and the seal plate ($54) when I factor in a new 2 speed motor (Hayward SPX3210Z2BER 1-Horsepower 2 Speed Energy Efficient Full Rate Motor Replacement for Hayward Tristar SP3200EE Series Pump - $280.99 Amazon.com), it is only $90 more for a Pentair 340042 SuperFlo High Performance Energy Efficient Two Speed Pump, 1 Horsepower, 230 Volt, 1 Phase - $447 off Amazon.
With option 3, it is a little less expensive, but I don’t know if I’d end up paying more than the difference with option 2 in increased energy usage.
I look forward to hearing your opinions,
Frank
