Booster pump is out. Replace or upgrade?

aawest

New member
Aug 5, 2024
1
Flatonia, Texas
I bought a house with pool two years ago and my booster pump just went out. It has always leaked and had a loud whine. First the timer went out so I was running it manually. Then it would work after flipping the switch a few times. Now it just hums when switch is flipped and does not run. I realize i probably killed it by not having pump serviced when it still worked. I have a free electrician to fix the timer and i can do the plumbing. The 280 also needs a rebuild which i can do. It has always done a pretty good job of keeping the pool clean. Question now is do i replace everything and stick with my aged 280 or switch to a robot?
 
~3 years ago, my math showed the robot was a better buy for the savings in electrical by ditching the PB40 booster.
Electrical savings, plus noise reduction, plus performance of a robot is far better in regards to dirt/silt.
 
Welcome to TFP.

There are pros and cons to a Polaris 280 cleaner versus a robot. They are very different animals.

The 280 cleaner can be left in the pool and it will automatically clean every day. It lives in my pool and runs early every morning so I have a clean pool every day with little effort.

No hauling of the cleaner in and out of the pool. A robot cleaner cannot be left in the pool.

The 280 can be rebuilt and parts are available. When robot cleaners break they may not be repairable.

There is much more then energy savings to consider and I think total cost of ownership over a multi-year period is similar.

My PB4-60 booster pump has gotten noisy and I am just going to replace it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1poolman1
Yes, My Pentair Legend is 16 years old and still going strong. I've replaved a few parts along the way but they are inexpensive. I also have my PB4-60 on a scrap piece of EVA boat flooring I had left over and it does help with noise.
Maury
 
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.