I have a new to me IG plaster pool 13,000 gallons. I have 6 10x4 solar panels on the SW facing roof in the San Diego area. Pipes for the solar are 2.5". Pump is 1' above the pool and the solar panels are 16' above the pump. I just had an Intellifo VS pump installed, replacing a single speed pump. There are 2 drains on the bottom, one skimmer, 3 outlets, and a waterfall.
Prior to replacing the pump, the solar alone kept the pool around 85 on average. After installation, the pool is now at 74. Average temperature at my house has been mid 80s. Solar noon is 12:37.
The installer set the pump at 1600 rpm from 9-5 because that was needed to keep the vacuum running, and 2200 rpm from 5-8. At the low speed I cannot discern any temperature gain between the pool and the water entering the pool at any time of day. The solar controller says it's heating and the valve is in the correct position.
After a lot of reading, I understand that higher flow rates provide more efficient solar heating. Using the pump chart and .05 gpm/sqft for the solar panels, 240 gpm/sqft I set the pump to run at 1900 rpm from 9-1, then at 2250 rpm from 1-4 when the sun most directly hits the panels, and back to 1900 from 4-7. I think this should turn the pool once in 24 hrs.
This is the first day it will run fully on this schedule.
Does this seem like a good schedule to try to get the pool back up to mid 80s (or higher)?
Thank you!
Prior to replacing the pump, the solar alone kept the pool around 85 on average. After installation, the pool is now at 74. Average temperature at my house has been mid 80s. Solar noon is 12:37.
The installer set the pump at 1600 rpm from 9-5 because that was needed to keep the vacuum running, and 2200 rpm from 5-8. At the low speed I cannot discern any temperature gain between the pool and the water entering the pool at any time of day. The solar controller says it's heating and the valve is in the correct position.
After a lot of reading, I understand that higher flow rates provide more efficient solar heating. Using the pump chart and .05 gpm/sqft for the solar panels, 240 gpm/sqft I set the pump to run at 1900 rpm from 9-1, then at 2250 rpm from 1-4 when the sun most directly hits the panels, and back to 1900 from 4-7. I think this should turn the pool once in 24 hrs.
This is the first day it will run fully on this schedule.
Does this seem like a good schedule to try to get the pool back up to mid 80s (or higher)?
Thank you!