CaliMar Variable Speed Pool Pump Advice

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Ok the saga continues, the Calimar pumps electrical connection is located in a slightly different place than my previous pump resulting in the fact that the current wiring is about four inches too short! Rather than mess with extending the existing run, its easier for me to disconnect that and run a new cleaner better located and shorter setup with new 3/4 pvc conduit, new cable or I can even pull out and reuse the existing cable from the sub panel if that Is deemed suitable?

The old single cables are 12G "cerro-wire", the two power wires are braided copper, while the ground wire is solid copper

Are solid copper cables preferable to braided for both the power lines and the ground wire and what gage wire should I use? The run is about 6 feet long

The pump is the 230 volt 3hp version (CMARVSP3.0) VS and info shows an input current of 10 amps

Im also using La-co Plasto-joint stick for the first time but there are no instructions to be found! Do I just apply this to the male threads of the filter and pump unions and how much do I put on?

Thanks again for all your help
 
Is it 6 feet from the GFCI in the panel? Or are you running it from a sub-panel? If subpanel, then 12 gauge should be fine.

MTW rated stranded wire should always be used around motors and equipment where there is vibration

If you use the right unions, you should not need plasto-joint. What unions did you purchase?
 
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PoolStored said:
Is it 6 feet from the GFCI in the panel? Or are you running it from a sub-panel? If subpanel, then 12 gauge should be fine.

MTW rated stranded wire should always be used around motors and equipment where there is vibration

If you use the right unions, you should not need plasto-joint. What unions did you purchase?
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I got the ones you linked me to on amazon, the guy threw in a stick of plasto-joint!

Yes its six feet from the sub-panel not the main house panel thank you yet again.
 
Pete from UK but in Vegas said:
Im also using La-co Plasto-joint stick for the first time but there are no instructions to be found! Do I just apply this to the male threads of the filter and pump unions and how much do I put on?
Click to expand...

If you are screwing on a union with an O ring then no Plasto-joint is needed. Unless it leaks, then use it.
 
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Molykote 111 is just fine. Don't use ML 1.

I like plastojoint, but only use it when necessary. Try it without first...on both unions. The seal comes from the o-rings, they, if lubricated and in good condition, are made to seal...you shouldn't need the stick. That is exactly why we recommend what we recommend.

if you do put it on, you 1) just take the stick and drag across the threads as you rotate. Again, with these unions, I would not.
 
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All completed and running now. First time with a variable speed pump and no idea how to set it for maximum efficiency in my situation?

Its just on the pre-programmed schedule at moment which is 8am = 3000rpm for 2 hours, 10am = 1500rpm for 10 hours, 8pm = 2500 rpm for 2 hours, 10pm = 1000 rpm for 4 hours, 2am = off for 6 hours

On the just removed single speed pump had it set to run for 2 hours morning and 2 hours night year round which seemed to keep the water clean ok (6800 gallon plaster pool)

I have a zodiac G3 I need to run for cleaning maybe an hour a day? Seems to work ok when the new pump is on the 3000rpm setting. Here in Las Vegas there are no power discounts for running at night.

Can anyone please suggest a suitable schedule for me? I DO NOT have a SWG.
 
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Minimum rpm and pump run time is whatever is needed to skim the surface.

Add your rpm increase for your vacuum.

You likely can run it much less than your current setting.

I run my VS pump from 9 am to 4 pm. Minimum rpm needed is 1400. I have a heater so that creates additional back pressure.
 
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mknauss said:
Minimum rpm and pump run time is whatever is needed to skim the surface.

Add your rpm increase for your vacuum.

You likely can run it much less than your current setting.

I run my VS pump from 9 am to 4 pm. Minimum rpm needed is 1400. I have a heater so that creates additional back pressure.
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Would an hour a day at 3000rpm be enough suction cleaning for this size pool - G3 seems happy at 3000, its a small 6800 gallon pool, no heater, automation or SWG, size is approx 12x24 ft.

Then 5 hours at 1000rpm?

Heard its better to ramp up and down rather than switch on and off?

so 2.5hrs @1000rpm, then ramp to 3000 for hour for cleaner, then slow to 1000 again for 2.5hrs then off - total run time 6 hours?

Better running day or night? I would like to avoid the 3000rpm @ sleeping hours as pump is right next to our bedroom at noticeable noise at that speed

Does it auto prime up on first start up of the day or do I need to set that up?

Thanks all for the help
 
You have to determine what is needed. Start with what you state. Is the pool clean? Great. If not, increase the times.
I run during the day as I create chlorine with my SWCG. So I add chlorine as it is being eliminated by the sun.
As you are adding liquid chlorine each day, then run the pump when it makes the most sense to your needs. Just be sure it is running when you add the chemicals, and let it run 30 minutes or so after the addition.
 
mknauss said:
You have to determine what is needed. Start with what you state. Is the pool clean? Great. If not, increase the times.
I run during the day as I create chlorine with my SWCG. So I add chlorine as it is being eliminated by the sun.
As you are adding liquid chlorine each day, then run the pump when it makes the most sense to your needs. Just be sure it is running when you add the chemicals, and let it run 30 minutes or so after the addition.
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Thank you so much!

Clean as in just visually or by test results?

I'm actually using the 3 " clorox tabs in a floater at moment as CYA sky high, winter, pool not being used and 1 tab over a month is keeping the chlorine level on the high side anyways. Need to drain and refill as this is the water when I bought the house last year so all an unknown until its all kit/water/chemicals that I know whats been put in myself if that makes sense

Need to drain pool, clean, make few changes to lighting etc and repairs when time allows but thats a good few weeks away
 
Visually clean. No tests for debris removal.
You would be wise to install a SWCG this winter and change out the water before March.
 
New pump update

Had it running a month now on this daily Schedule:
1000 rpm for 2.5 hours from noon
then 3000 rpm for hour to run the G3 suction cleaner and pull more through the skimmer
then 1500 rpm for 2.5 hours

Electric bills indicate around a 25% reduction in usage which I was expecting to be better than that

One disadvantage I didnt think about to these Calimar pumps is that they dont appear to have the freeze protection auto run that most vsp pumps have which is disappointing, so Ive changed the schedule to run most of night at 1200rpm for the next week or so as itts gonna be freezing at night here in Vegas and there was a little ice on the pool this morning!!!

Wonder if the function is there and can be activated, as the supposed identical Circupool model states they have this function indicated by a snowflake led on the display?

Thanks again for everyones help
 
I just installed a Calimar 3HP VS pump, model CMARVSP3.0, and the manual indicates the default freeze protection is enabled and set at 1000 rpm but it let you customize it.
 
mShark said:
I just installed a Calimar 3HP VS pump, model CMARVSP3.0, and the manual indicates the default freeze protection is enabled and set at 1000 rpm but it let you customize it.
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Thanks for the reply

Strange, I have the same model and it says nothing about that in the manual - just says YOU are responsible for freeze protection and suggests to drain the system or run during cold spells.

Would you mind stating what the manual says about customising it so I can maybe see if that function is on mine. The supplier, Pool Supply Unlimited" responded to an email from me stating that it didnt have that function.

I only bought the pump a month ago but I suppose its possible you wan have a different model or software from mine?

I emailed Calimar, but was disappointed to receive no reply whatsoever

Anyone else have this pump?
 
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