In need of a new pump

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StevoB

StevoB

Gold Supporter
Jun 28, 2022
8
New York
Pool Size
33000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
Hello All,
I am in need of a new pump for the upcoming season. My old pump was a Hayward Power Max, 1.5hp, single speed. The pool is above ground, 33' round ~33,000 gallons.
I had no problem with the Hayward for quite a few years until it started screaming and just gave up. Ran it maybe 12 hours per day. The line to the pump is 120ac on a 20amp.
I need some help as I know I am getting to the point of analysis paralysis. I would like to put in a vs pump to reduce the costs, electric is insane here, but the vs pumps all seem to be made for inground pools. Can I use an in ground pump?
Another item is that I would like to install a small solar system this spring. This of course raises the question of having enough flow.

Overall, I am happy with a 1.5hp provided it can run the pool and the solar system. I would also love to knock some of those electric costs.

Pray tell, what are your thoughts? Really appreciate it.

Steve
 
If you liked the Hayward, consider just getting a two speed pump and running it on low speed. That would save you money on the pump and the electricity cost reduction you are looking for...
 
StevoB said:
Hello All,
I am in need of a new pump for the upcoming season. My old pump was a Hayward Power Max, 1.5hp, single speed. The pool is above ground, 33' round ~33,000 gallons.
I had no problem with the Hayward for quite a few years until it started screaming and just gave up. Ran it maybe 12 hours per day. The line to the pump is 120ac on a 20amp.
I need some help as I know I am getting to the point of analysis paralysis. I would like to put in a vs pump to reduce the costs, electric is insane here, but the vs pumps all seem to be made for inground pools. Can I use an in ground pump?
Another item is that I would like to install a small solar system this spring. This of course raises the question of having enough flow.

Overall, I am happy with a 1.5hp provided it can run the pool and the solar system. I would also love to knock some of those electric costs.

Pray tell, what are your thoughts? Really appreciate it.

Steve
Click to expand...
An "inground" pump doesn't care where the water is located, they are just a different type of pump that can lift water as opposed to an "above ground" one that usually doesn't have to. For the same horsepower rating (more and indication of energy consumed than work done in this case) they will move more water for the same cost and are usually longer lasting, but also more expensive. An "in-ground" pump, properly maintained, can last 20 years or more (my VSP is going on 16 years and it was one of the early "bad" ones from Hayward).

Your options with 120V for a VSP are somewhat limited.

Waterway PD140. A VSP that will run on 120 and is great for aboveground pools. If your solar is to be on a roof, it will lift water up there as well, you just need to set the proper speed. It is a "high-head" pump.

A Doheny's "Harris Force" 1hp VSP (which looks to be a clone of the Hayward Power Max) may work as well but not likely to be able to lift water to a roof-mounted solar array. Both it and the Hayward you now have are "medium-head" or less, meaning when it gets hard to push water they don't. It, too, will work on 120V.
Doheny's was a company that sold exclusively to commercial companies like gyms, hotel/motel, apartment complexes until online sales became a "thing." They have been around for at least 25 years that I remember, probably more.

While a 2-speed may work for you, you will also need a timer that will control those speeds or you will have to do it manually. They average $400.00 for the Intermatic P153, which is virtually the only one readily available that is "all in one" and will run on 120V.
 
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