Looking for pump recommendations on a new VS pump

[Bill Winston]

My old Pentair 2HP Single speed is popping the breaker - I had planned to replace it next year if nothing else to save on electricity. My pool/spa is quite small so I was only running it 8 hrs summer / 6 hrs winter. I do have a Nodejs/PoolController DIY automation running reliably since june, It currently just uses a relay to turn on the pump. I'm not against running an rs485 to a new pump but also wouldn't be against just running a low rpm on a large pump 24/7. I have a skimmer bot and a bot for the bottom, so I don't use the pool skimmer (doesn't work anyway).

What are most people using the tagyoureit nodejs stand alone using for a pump? I was kinda leaning towards the Intelliflo3, but it may be a bit much? They don't seem to like the DIY types either?

Looking for a recommendation based on my pool size, but also what other people are happy with.

 

[PoolStored]

Get the largest pump in the brand you choose. The larger (HP) pump can move the same amount of water with lower power consumption.

Most recommended here (in no particular order):
Waterway Defender 2.7.
Pentair Intelliflo
Hayward Triton VS 950
Calimar 3hp.

 

[mknauss]

so I don't use the pool skimmer (doesn't work anyway)

What does not work on your skimmer? All skimmers must have a weir door to function. Does yours?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Bill,

I have been running a large VS pump 24/7/365 at a low rpm for well over 10 years... I love it..

I would recommend a Saltwater Chlorine Generator for making things even easier..

Tell us more about your skimmer.. Why do you think it is not working??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Bill Winston]

The skimmer does work, but if I keep the water level where we like it - about halfway up the tile, the water level is too high for debris to make it into the skimmer. It was installed low and at a bit of an angle. I would need to keep the water level just below the tile and expose the top step slightly. Neither of which we like. Also the beta bot SE plus works way better for me. The last issue is being such a small pool in water capacity, it doesn't take long for the level to drop and possibly lose prime. Normally not an issue, but it makes me nervous if I'm away for a bit. Now I just leave it pulling from the main drain - pool is skimmed with the bot (yet to be named) and I don't worry about it.

So really just a preference thing.

 

[Bill Winston]

What does not work on your skimmer? All skimmers must have a weir door to function. Does yours?

mknauss,
I noticed your pool is about my size and type - also that you use an intelliflo VS - which one do you have and are you happy with it and if you had it to do again would you do a different model? It seems there are many people with 17K and over 20k pools. 3 times bigger than my little pool. Most of me says this isn't so relevant as the advantage is really just being able to get to lower wattage by running lower rpm...

 

[Jimrahbe]

Bill,

In my opinion, the size of the pool has nothing to do with the size of the pump or the size of the filter..

Bigger is always better..

I have the older style IntelliFlo VS.. The newer IntelliFlo3 is much more efficient than my older pumps and it costs me less than $20 bucks to run 24/7/365.

Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF 3.0HP

It says "In store only", but I think that just means you have to call to make the purchase, not over the Internet..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolStored]

Oh, forgot to add, DO NOT get a VSP with SVRS.

 

[mknauss]

Love the Intelliflo. 10 years old and runs smoothly. It dies another will be in its place. Likely the 3, bit essentially the same.