Intelliflo VS +SVRS pump stopping and starting

[Inglewood Jack]

As title says, my Pentair variable speed pump has been stopping randomly the past few weeks, then starting up minutes or even hours later (during regular on cycle). Pump display says "display" as normal and Easy touch panel indicates the pump is running during the stoppages. Some days it seems to run just fine, others it stops multiple times per day. The pump is about 12 years old.

I've cleaned out my filters and made sure there weren't any blockages or air getting in anywhere. I've read through several threads here but haven't seen any solutions except possibly temp sensor issue (we're not into summer season yet, and haven't had this problem in past years)? Any ideas on trouble shooting other than "the pump is getting old, time for a new one"?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jack,

The standard 3 HP IntelliFlo is the "Gold Standard" of pool pumps..

But.. The same pump with the SVRS option is the "Brown Standard" of pool pumps.. If you catch my drift...

I know this because I have one.. It is now about 12 years old and I have learned what not to do, to keep it running..

1. My pump run 24/7, mostly at 1200 rpm..
2. I know that I can't let the water level at the skimmer get too low..
3. I know that I can't close any valve or the filter air bleed valve quickly..
4. Any suction surges will shut the pump off and it may or may not come back on line.. It will often try to re-start and go right back into the entrapment mode.
5. I don't have this issue, but if your weir doors is getting stuck up, then when the door gets unstuck, that surge of water will cause the pump to shut off..

The key in my mind is 'slow and steady", when any change to water flow is made..

There is just no fix for this "brown" wonder...

Maybe you have a different issue, but the main problem with the SVRS model is that it will intermittently go into the entrapment mode.. Just what it should do if someone is sitting on a single main drain.. When mine has this problem it make me push some reset button..

The worst part for me is that I do not need this option.. I think my pool builder was just trying to get rid of old, useless products..

I am assuming that you have a VS IntelliFlo with the SVRS option, and not a newer VSF IntelliFlo with the SVRS option.

Sigh...

Jim R.

 

[1poolman1]

Jack,

The standard 3 HP IntelliFlo is the "Gold Standard" of pool pumps..

But.. The same pump with the SVRS option is the "Brown Standard" of pool pumps.. If you catch my drift...

I know this because I have one.. It is now about 12 years old and I have learned what not to do, to keep it running..

1. My pump run 24/7, mostly at 1200 rpm..
2. I know that I can't let the water level at the skimmer get too low..
3. I know that I can't close any valve or the filter air bleed valve quickly..
4. Any suction surges will shut the pump off and it may or may not come back on line.. It will often try to re-start and go right back into the entrapment mode.
5. I don't have this issue, but if your weir doors is getting stuck up, then when the door gets unstuck, that surge of water will cause the pump to shut off..

The key in my mind is 'slow and steady", when any change to water flow is made..

There is just no fix for this "brown" wonder...

Maybe you have a different issue, but the main problem with the SVRS model is that it will intermittently go into the entrapment mode.. Just what it should do if someone is sitting on a single main drain.. When mine has this problem it make me push some reset button..

The worst part for me is that I do not need this option.. I think my pool builder was just trying to get rid of old, useless products..

I am assuming that you have a VS IntelliFlo with the SVRS option, and not a newer VSF IntelliFlo with the SVRS option.

Sigh...

Jim R.

I have had one of those "brown wonders" on my side yard for over 15 years. Haven't disliked anyone enough to install it.
Took it off a residential pool, after many service calls because it was in "alarm" mode and pool greener than grass. Just what you indicated happened. It was a rental property for the customer and the installer convinced her that she had to have SVRS as she now had a commercial pool, and they happened to have one that they would give her a great price on. Then charged her $2700.00. That was when the going price for any VSP was around $1600.00. Her suction line was 1.5" and 75' long. The returns were 1.5" and 60' at the closest. Even a leaf in the skimmer would turn the pump off.
She wouldn't give me the name of the company, but they are an example of why so many think of my type business as a rip-off.
Built her a good used .5hp Sta-Rite Max-E-Glass (new motor, etc.) for about $500.00 with some extensive replumbing and was never called back to that pool. The guy servicing it says that pump is still working.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Haven't disliked anyone enough to install it.

Thanks for not being "one of them"...

Jim R.

 

[Newdude]

If it helps @1poolman1, its in every industry. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have let 1/3 of my technician coworkers ever talk to customers and another 1/3 had no business ever touching tools.