Hi,
BACKGROUND: I am looking for some input with sizing a replacement variable pump for my simple swimming pool. I have a 1.5 inch plumbing, a single suction line (from a skimmer), and two returns in a 180000 gallon in ground pool. Currently I only have 115 to my pool shed, but I ran new conduit to it last year so I can easily pull 230 if necessary. After doing some rough calculations on my head loss, I realize I can get away with the smallest pumps and my 1hp single speed is oversized compared to the efficiencies that can be found in modern pumps. Frankly, a 1/2 hp high efficacy Pentair whisper flow WFE-2 on a timer would probably due the trick but I am leaning towards a variable speed because I like the idea of continuously circulating my pool at the lowest rpm possible (95% of the time). The only equipment that I have that demands a minimum flow is my millivolt heater (25GPM) and I only turn on and off the heater manually on rare occasions to bump up the heat before a get together or weekend.
QUESTION: Is there any advantage to using a small 0.85 HP variable pump over some of the larger 1.5/1.65 HP variable pumps? In my local area the 0.85 HP variable pumps are not stocked anywhere and command the same or higher prices than the 1.5 HP models. Ditto for the smaller 2 speed pumps being only 25% less expensive than a variable pump when I factor in the external timer/switch (plus the warranty is better on the variables and my credit card doubles the two year warranty period).
I was thinking of buying a Pentair Superflow VS 1.5 hp that is larger than my needs and program the steps so the pump never runs over roughly 2400 RPM or whatever minimum RPM necessary to maintain a flow rate of no more than 40-50 GPM. I am not sure if there are any concerns for start-up, priming, etc.? The Pentair comes in cheaper than the smaller sized variables and services both 115 and 230.
Here are the pumps I am comparing:
Jandy FloPro VS 0.85hp with controller: VSFHP085JEP
Hayward Super Pump VS 0.85hp: SP26115VSP
Pentair Super Flow VS 1.5 HP: 342001
I appreciate the vast pool of wisdom that makes up TFP.
Clemenski
BACKGROUND: I am looking for some input with sizing a replacement variable pump for my simple swimming pool. I have a 1.5 inch plumbing, a single suction line (from a skimmer), and two returns in a 180000 gallon in ground pool. Currently I only have 115 to my pool shed, but I ran new conduit to it last year so I can easily pull 230 if necessary. After doing some rough calculations on my head loss, I realize I can get away with the smallest pumps and my 1hp single speed is oversized compared to the efficiencies that can be found in modern pumps. Frankly, a 1/2 hp high efficacy Pentair whisper flow WFE-2 on a timer would probably due the trick but I am leaning towards a variable speed because I like the idea of continuously circulating my pool at the lowest rpm possible (95% of the time). The only equipment that I have that demands a minimum flow is my millivolt heater (25GPM) and I only turn on and off the heater manually on rare occasions to bump up the heat before a get together or weekend.
QUESTION: Is there any advantage to using a small 0.85 HP variable pump over some of the larger 1.5/1.65 HP variable pumps? In my local area the 0.85 HP variable pumps are not stocked anywhere and command the same or higher prices than the 1.5 HP models. Ditto for the smaller 2 speed pumps being only 25% less expensive than a variable pump when I factor in the external timer/switch (plus the warranty is better on the variables and my credit card doubles the two year warranty period).
I was thinking of buying a Pentair Superflow VS 1.5 hp that is larger than my needs and program the steps so the pump never runs over roughly 2400 RPM or whatever minimum RPM necessary to maintain a flow rate of no more than 40-50 GPM. I am not sure if there are any concerns for start-up, priming, etc.? The Pentair comes in cheaper than the smaller sized variables and services both 115 and 230.
Here are the pumps I am comparing:
Jandy FloPro VS 0.85hp with controller: VSFHP085JEP
Hayward Super Pump VS 0.85hp: SP26115VSP
Pentair Super Flow VS 1.5 HP: 342001
I appreciate the vast pool of wisdom that makes up TFP.
Clemenski
