Equipment Advice for new 12'x24'x54" Wilbar Intrepid

[fmriguy]

I've finally decided to take the plunge and replace my 12' Intex with a better above-ground pool. I just ordered the Intrepid all-aluminum 12'x24' pool from pool factory and it should be here in about two weeks. I've been researching pumps, filters, and SWG systems and thought I could use some advice from the experts on this forum who helped me keep my previous pool crystal clear for 4 years.

My new pool clocks in at 6800 gallons. I will be including probably 4 to 5 of the 2'x12' SunQuest solar heaters, which will be mounted about 60 feet away from the pump and elevated about 12 feet off the ground.

I definitely want to stick with a SWG, I loved my last one. I'm considering the Circupool RJ-20 to be oversized and have plenty of chlorine generating power. For the pump, I would like to go variable speed or at the very least 2-speed and based on some rough estimates, it seems even a smaller HP pump is more than enough even for the panels. The circupool only needs minimum of 20 GPM flow rate and 4 to 5 panels would be looking at around 30 GPM ideally.

So to be more specific, would I be going overkill with a Pentair 1.5hp Superflow VS and a Hayward 20" sand filter (I would have to deal with a shortened warranty since I will DiY)? It seems based on the small volume of water I could get away with something basic like the Intex 16" sand filter plus 3/4hp (40GPM) single speed pump combo for 1/5 of the price. Of course to make it more difficult I'd love to automate the pump, solar, and SWG, but I don't want to overload with too many questions at once (and I've read on the forums you really want to pair the automation controller with the same brand pump). Thanks for the advice!

 

[ajw22]

A VS pump is never overkill. You can crank it down and adjust it to your pool setup.

A larger filter is always better.

How to select pool equipment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[fmriguy]

Thanks for the reply. I'm committing to a VS pump, could anyone comment on whether this system would work properly (I would be picking the Superflo VS over the Intelliflo purely for budget reasons):

1) I set the 1.5 Superflo VS pump to run at programmed times using its onboard controller and have it set to run at the minimal speed needed by the Circupool SWG.
2) I use a Suntouch solar controller to kick up the speed at times when the solar heat is available and switch the 3-way valve to feed the solar panels.

My issue is that it seems the Suntouch manual suggests that it can be used to select one of the 4 speed presets on Intelliflo pumps or use the Aux relay to pop up to the higher speed on a 2-speed pump, but it makes no explicit mention of the Superflo VS pump. Are the Superflo and Suntouch actually compatible? Similarly, if I find that none of the 4 speed presets are perfect for flow, can I change the preset RPM so that it fits better with my system flow and have the Suntouch pick that speed?

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

The Superflow VS pump is not compatible with any automation. The Superflow pump is Pentair offering to replace equivalent Hayward Superpumps. You need to get the IntelliFlo 011028 VS pump to use with the Suntouch solar controller.

You can change the speeds on the presets from the pump control panel.