I just got my first Pentair SuperFlo VST today, advice on how to set RPMs?

[mskillens]

So basically I replaced both my old regular pump and my cartridge filter for a variable speed pump and a DE filter. I ended up draining the pool(22,000 gallons) and refilled the pool yesterday and today. The pool guy came over and turned on the pump for the first time and set it running to 5 hours because he needed to add the DE powder to the skimmer to complete the installation of the DE filter.

Anyway, he didn't show me how to program the pump so I decided to just watch a bunch of YouTube videos on how to set the RPM, time, and duration for all 3 programs or 2 if I just want 2 different speeds each day.

I guess my question is, what numbers do people generally set their RPMs? My pool is pretty small at only 22,000 gallons. Do you guys use all 3 programs, just 2 different programs or just 1 program for the whole day? I'm currently looking to get a new pool vacuum to run during the middle of the day while I'm at work so I imagine the pump would need more speed for vacuum to run right?

I'm adding some powder conditioner and chlorine tomorrow morning so I'm thinking I might need to run the pump pretty high right? What's a good RPM for when I'm adding conditioner and chemicals?

 

[PoolStored]

Run the pump for a reason.
Mix chemicals: Low speed for 1/2 hour is fine.
Filter: Low speed is better for filtering. Filter long enough so you are happy with the water.
Skim: Run the lowest speed that get you sufficient skimming. Run for long enough to get the results you want.
Same applies for heater and SWG. Low enough to provide enough flow for both.

If this were my pool, I would start between 800-1100 RPM and run it for 24/7 and note results after a day. Water look good? Skimming ok? Run it there. Cost you less than $20/month.
If you need more skimming, then run a program for an hour a day at 1500. That skims the way you want, fine, run 1500RPM for an hour. Not enough? Raise the RPM and the time period.

 

[mskillens]

So basically experimenting on lower RPM settings to get to the lowest RPM speed that is satisfactory for my pool and saving me money. There's no need to have it running at 2000-3000 RPMs for chemicals or the pool vacuum? I don't have a salt water system or a heating system either.

 

[PoolStored]

There's no need to have it running at 2000-3000 RPMs for chemicals or the pool vacuum?

Not for chemicals. Your signature didn't include a vacuum. Vaccum is the same. Run the RPM up until you get the action you want, then run it for the period of time that cleans your pool to your satisfaction.

Run the pump for a reason. Adjust speed and time for that reason.
Filter works good on low and slow.
Any speed that is moving water is fine for chemicals.
Skimming and vac are speed and time dependent.

 

[mskillens]

Not for chemicals. Your signature didn't include a vacuum. Vaccum is the same. Run the RPM up until you get the action you want, then run it for the period of time that cleans your pool to your satisfaction.

Run the pump for a reason. Adjust speed and time for that reason.
Filter works good on low and slow.
Any speed that is moving water is fine for chemicals.
Skimming and vac are speed and time dependent.

Hey Thanks! It's starting to make sense to me now. I also just realized that I can now run this pump for 24/7 since I can set speeds slow and it won't use much power at all most of the time. My mind is still in single speed pump mode where you set it to like 6-8 hours a day and then turn it off.

I'm in the process of looking at pool vacuums, I had an old barracuda one for years thats really old and always got stuck in the stairs so I've decided to finally get rid of it.

 

[DrewLG]

just realized that I can now run this pump for 24/7 since I can set speeds slow and it won't use much power at all most of the time.

Yes, the key is that you use WAY less power by running at lower RPMs for more time. So, for example, in my system I get these numbers:

1650 RPM: 24 gallons per minute, 230 watts
2400 RPM: 48 gallons per minute, 740 watts

So if I want to pump 4800 gallons through my filter -- you wouldn't normally plan in terms of gallons, but it makes this example easier -- I can do it either by running at 2400 RPM (48 GPM) for 100 minutes, or at 1650 RPM (24 GPM) for 200 minutes:

48 GPM x 100 minutes = 4800 gallons.
100 minutes x 740 watts = 74,000 watt-minutes (or 1.23 kilowatt-hours)

24 GPM x 200 minutes = 4800 gallons.
200 minutes x 230 watts = 46,000 watt-minutes (or 0.77 kilowatt-hours)

I filter the same amount of water each way. But doing it by running slower for longer saves like 40% of the power, which means I save 40% of the electricity cost.