Choosing a new pump

[Dandelion]

I need to replace an astral pool P300 and I'm spoilt for choice and don't really know what I'm looking for. Can redo the pipework if need.

The total head is less than a meter and the pool is only 40KL so I guess I don't need a big one.

Not sure whether to go for AC or DC also - I gather AC is more reliable and DC more quiet? I'd be leaning towards AC then, unless DC is so much more efficient that it makes up for a shorter life.

 

[ajw22]

Let's make sure some of your mates see this - @AUSpool @needsajet @mgtfp

 

[AUSpool]

I have the Astral Viron P320 pump on our 20kL pool and a Davey eco on a 30kL pool. The P320 has been going for about three years without issue, I run it on medium which is set at 1800rpm. You would need the bigger one for a 40kL pool. The Davey has had a tough life and is still going after over 10 years. A VS, variable speed, DC is definitely the way to go for a main pump. They are cheaper and quieter to run than a single speed, will save you $$ in the long term. There are a bunch of VS pumps on the market. Our pool stores seem to be affiliated with specific brands so shop around and compare online.

 

[mgtfp]

I'm running the P320 on a 66kl pool without any issues. But the pool is 40 years old, only one pump line and probably piping that's considered under-dimensioned these days. Don't think a bigger pump would change anything in my case.

Replacing the old single speed pump with a variable speed pump made such a difference. Much quieter and cheaper to run. But still have the option to run a bit faster when needed, for example when manually vacuuming or do a quick skim before jumping in.

 

[needsajet]

Mine is a Pentair (Onga) ECO800 variable speed pump, also DC and quiet. DC is the way to go. It enables variable speed with simple electronics, therefore highly reliable. I mostly use medium speed and mine is 50mm (2") pipe. 44,000 litres. The ECO800 is approximately a 1.2 HP pump. Eight years running fine now and I did seals last year for around $60 IIRC.

Another pool is a single speed AC Davey and that takes a beating. The people there don't reliably empty the skimmer, so it runs at very high suction a lot of the time. I also have Waterco pumps that are fine, though both have needed capacitors. Those 3 pumps are all louder than mine. I also have a 0.5 HP pentair LTP (their cheapest model) doing solar heating. A 1HP Pentair LTP would be the cheapest option to buy that would suit your pool, and a variable speed pump will be more $ to buy but less $ to run.

 

[Dandelion]

I think I’ve narrow it down to an onga enviromax 800 (aka eco 800) or pantera ppp eco 800. They seem to be very similar and both made by pentair.

PPP eco pros:
Shorter length which is handy in the small space I have. The p300 only had about 300mm of a horizontal run into the inlet and the intake fan was almost touching the wall.

Also has a flexible barrel union so the pipe work doesn’t have to be exact.

Also because the inlet is lower all I need to do is sit it on top of a 30mm paver and it massively reduces the pipe work I need to do.

Also $150 cheaper

Enviromax pros:

Apparently the motor is slightly better- it’s quieter and uses 5w less power.

Con: longer than the p300 so it has even less space

Con: because the intake is higher than the p300, I’d need to raise it and it would be a nightmare. I’d be looking at trying to break a nearly brand new fittings off pipe work to preserve the length that I have because currently the intake pipe vertically comes out of concrete about an inch, with a 45 degree bend fitting over it and basically touching the concrete. I’d need to somehow remove that fitting and put a coupler on instead to raise it.


Now that I’ve typed it out, seems that the PPP eco is a no brainer.

 

[AUSpool]

I’ve always put my pumps on vibration mats. Or a combination of vibration mat, recycled rubber mat and concrete paver.

If you need to get a fitting off gently heating it with a heat gun will release the solvent and fitting.