Hayward 2 speed pumps

[mas985]

The primary reason behind a two speed pump is it saves in energy costs (~75%). Also, higher flow rates tend to push more of the smaller debris through the filter so lower flow rates tend to filter a bit better. This is especially true of a sand filter.

 

[cj133]

The primary reason behind a two speed pump is it saves in energy costs (~75%). Also, higher flow rates tend to push more of the smaller debris through the filter so lower flow rates tend to filter a bit better. This is especially true of a sand filter.

That doesn't explain why not just use a smaller pump? If the pool only needs a 1/4hp pump why not just use a 1/4 hp pump which will be more efficient than a 2 speed in low. You could combine that with an oversized filter.

 

[mas985]

Can you find a 1/4HP residential pool pump? I don't think they exist. The smallest is a 1/2 HP but even that will not be more efficient than a two speed pump on low.

 

[duraleigh]

Additionally, you often ask your pump to do two jobs.....to slowly pull water through the skimmer and filter and then to quickly pull water through a manual vacuum cleaner

 

[cj133]

I'm sorry if I ask a lot of questions.
I just like to have an idea of what's going on and why things are done the way they are.

Thank you for having patience.

 

[cj133]

I believe the rating you are looking at is for public pools and is not where the filter would get damage or anything like that. Sand filters are very robust and can handle being over driven by quite a bit.

Also, the 3000 GPH filter is a 1.4 sq-ft filter which normally would have a rating of around 35 GPM (@ 25 GPM/sq-ft) and that is where the flow rate would probably end up for that pump in a typical installation so I don't think they are really over driving the filter much if that is your concern.

So this is the filter I have along with a 2 speed 1.5 hp matrix pump. It was sold as a set by Hayward. I was under the impression that the system would do 54GPM but after reading your comment and realizing they never put a spec for the system now I'm wondering. What does that 54GPM actually mean?

 

[cj133]

I just found the pump database in an older thread on here and its very interesting info.

 

[mas985]

The 54 GPM is the design flow rate from NSF 50: http://www.nsf.org/media/enews/documents/nsf_50_150715.pdf

It really doesn't mean much other than it is the flow rate necessary to meet the 20 GPM/sq-ft target.