New Booster Pump

[zombielinux]

My Pentair LA01N finally died completely. I replaced the capacitor and it just doesn't seem to want to turn on anymore. Just makes a loud angry buzzing. I suspect a melted winding somewhere.

Since I've got to replace it, should I replace like in kind, or should I seek out something potentially more energy efficient?

I've seen some impeller boosters as well as the similar looking Hayward W36060.

Are there recommended best practices?

 

[Homebrewale]

Skip the pressure side pool cleaner and move to a robot. Not only does it do a better job but it is more energy efficient than the booster pump.

 

[1poolman1]

A good alternative to the Hayward is the Pentair Boost-Rite or the Polaris PB4SQ. Both have motors that are more efficient than the standard-type motor on the standard Hayward, Pentair, Polaris booster pumps. I have taken meter readings several times and found that those two pumps use about 45 - 50% less energy. That is a large percentage, but you don't normally run them long enough to see a large monetary return, but every bit helps. They are both very quiet. If you are familiar with pumps you will see that these are actually well-type pumps. They have multiple impellers that boosts their efficiency. Also, the Hayward does not come with a hose kit while Pentair and Polaris do.

 

[zombielinux]

Skip the pressure side pool cleaner and move to a robot. Not only does it do a better job but it is more energy efficient than the booster pump.

That would involve plumbing, electrical, and additional attention that I can't afford to part with. Plus its far more expensive.

 

[zombielinux]

A good alternative to the Hayward is the Pentair Boost-Rite or the Polaris PB4SQ. Both have motors that are more efficient than the standard-type motor on the standard Hayward, Pentair, Polaris booster pumps. I have taken meter readings several times and found that those two pumps use about 45 - 50% less energy. That is a large percentage, but you don't normally run them long enough to see a large monetary return, but every bit helps. They are both very quiet. If you are familiar with pumps you will see that these are actually well-type pumps. They have multiple impellers that boosts their efficiency. Also, the Hayward does not come with a hose kit while Pentair and Polaris do.

That Boost-Rite looks pretty good. Found it for ~$60 more than the direct LA01N replacement.

40% power reduction seems to be a break even for me at 4.5 months given my existing runtime and electrical costs.

 

[Homebrewale]

That would involve plumbing, electrical, and additional attention that I can't afford to part with. Plus its far more expensive.

What plumbing? I didn't do any plumbing when I switched from my Polaris 380 to a Pentair Warrior SI. I was fortunate to already have an electrical outlet near my pool. As for attention, I'm not sure what you mean. The robot is pretty much throw into the pool and hit start on the controller. Others here leave their robots in the pool all the time. I do remove mine as I did with the Polaris. The huge upside for me was a cleaner pool.

 

[zombielinux]

What plumbing? I didn't do any plumbing when I switched from my Polaris 380 to a Pentair Warrior SI. I was fortunate to already have an electrical outlet near my pool. As for attention, I'm not sure what you mean. The robot is pretty much throw into the pool and hit start on the controller. Others here leave their robots in the pool all the time. I do remove mine as I did with the Polaris. The huge upside for me was a cleaner pool.

I.E what to do with the dedicated return for the booster.

I don't actually have a close outlet, so that would be an issue for me. The whole take it out of the pool and put it back in is what I mean by attention.

My 280 is in the pool year round and has done a fine job of keeping it clean. I keep a spare bag empty and dry and swap it out every few days.

My pool is normally super clean so its not an issue for me.

 

[Homebrewale]

My booster pump is still there. I'm just using the dedicated return as another return. I found no need to remove the pump. As for cleaning, a robot does a better job on fine dirt. In the spring during pollen season, you could see the pollen going right through the Polaris mesh bag and back into the pool. You will find a lot of pool owners here that never remove the robot from the pool. I remove it just like I did with the Polaris because the electrical cable gets in the way like the hose on the Polaris.

As for energy usage, it was hard to find any numbers. Just eyeballing the brochure for the Polaris Boost-Rite, it uses close to 1000W. For a 2 hour cleaning cycle, you'll use close to 2 kWh. The robot will use around 0.24 kWh.

 

[1poolman1]

That Boost-Rite looks pretty good. Found it for ~$60 more than the direct LA01N replacement.

40% power reduction seems to be a break even for me at 4.5 months given my existing runtime and electrical costs.

Not sure how long you are running your booster pump. Polaris always recommended 3 hours, but I have found that 2 will usually keep an average 15 - 18K gallon pool clean. At what I believe are your electricity rates that would cost about $.11 per day with the Boost-Rite. Remember that running longer will add to the wear of the cleaner's parts. Polaris says that, at proper wheel RPM and a 3-hour per day run, their cleaner will travel about 2500 - 2800 miles per year in your pool. They are plastic with stainless bearings. That's a lot of miles.

 

[Homebrewale]

Not sure how long you are running your booster pump. Polaris always recommended 3 hours, but I have found that 2 will usually keep an average 15 - 18K gallon pool clean. At what I believe are your electricity rates that would cost about $.11 per day with the Boost-Rite. Remember that running longer will add to the wear of the cleaner's parts. Polaris says that, at proper wheel RPM and a 3-hour per day run, their cleaner will travel about 2500 - 2800 miles per year in your pool. They are plastic with stainless bearings. That's a lot of miles.

I would be interested in how you calculated $0.11 per day.

 

[1poolman1]

I would be interested in how you calculated $0.11 per day.

Readings I have taken with a true watt meter have shown that this pump uses about half the energy stated on the rating plate. Don't know the how or why as I am not an engineer. Two hours use = 1kw. Rate I was quoted for electricity in Atlanta, GA. - $.11 @ kw. That's just for the booster pump. Pentair claims a 25% savings over a standard motor, but readings with both an analog and digital meter have shown it closer to half over pumps that I have replaced.