Advice needed for a VSP for my waterfall

[BabaBooey]

Hi,

My pool has a dedicated waterfall pump (grotto that's a ~ 3 feet off the ground). The pump (that was purchased by prior owner) many years ago is end of life. The pump has a 1HP Pentair Challenger (also says 1.25 SF). I had someone come over and he said that the equivalent for a 1HP is a 1.85 VSP. I was happy with the previous waterfall experience that we've had for many years -- I am unsure if more or less flow would enhance things.

I'm not sure if that's right or accurate. Would a Pentair 1.5 Superflow VS be sufficient? I'm guessing I just need to dial it in to get the flow I want. I just want to make sure it's not underpowered/sized and do not want to pay more for what I want -- just want the appropriate value.

I did upgrade to a VSP for my regular filtration a few years ago and have been happy with the performance and noise. The pumps are behind a fence and foliage and away from where we sit.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[1poolman1]

Hi,

My pool has a dedicated waterfall pump (grotto that's a ~ 3 feet off the ground). The pump (that was purchased by prior owner) many years ago is end of life. The pump has a 1HP Pentair Challenger (also says 1.25 SF). I had someone come over and he said that the equivalent for a 1HP is a 1.85 VSP. I was happy with the previous waterfall experience that we've had for many years -- I am unsure if more or less flow would enhance things.

I'm not sure if that's right or accurate. Would a Pentair 1.5 Superflow VS be sufficient? I'm guessing I just need to dial it in to get the flow I want. I just don't want to make sure it's underpowered/sized.

I did upgrade to a VSP for my regular filtration a few years ago and have been happy with the performance and noise.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Yes, that pump would be a very good choice for a waterfall. Its that type of application that a medium-head pump was designed for, a lot of flow but not a lot of pressure.
The Challenger was likely a high-head pump, unless there was a label that said high-flow (medium head). It had a total horsepower rating of 1.25.
That means that it was an uprated pump. The full-rated would have been a 3/4hp with a service factor (SF) of 1.65. Same pump, different label (and the horsepower rounded up), a game that manufacturers used to play with pumps and motors that is now illegal in the entire country.

 

[BabaBooey]

Yes, that pump would be a very good choice for a waterfall. Its that type of application that a medium-head pump was designed for, a lot of flow but not a lot of pressure.
The Challenger was likely a high-head pump, unless there was a label that said high-flow (medium head). It had a total horsepower rating of 1.25.
That means that it was an uprated pump. The full-rated would have been a 3/4hp with a service factor (SF) of 1.65. Same pump, different label (and the horsepower rounded up), a game that manufacturers used to play with pumps and motors that is now illegal in the entire country.

Thank you very much.

 

[BabaBooey]

The pump was installed earlier this week and all is good. Thanks again 1poolman1.