New house, two pumps, is there a better configuration?

[FLCoach]

I recently moved into a home and of course finding a number of huge issues that the previous pool "service" company should have fixed years ago. Clean filter, remove broken baskets, cracked O rings, and so on. I suspect they were taking advantage of the previous owner who likely did not know what was going on with the pool. Very close to starting my own pool service company.

On top of the pool service, every pool element was surrounded by tall bushes (HOA thing) that we have since removed in order to reach everything. New fence later.

While I am not unfamiliar with in-ground pools, this one has two pumps and I am wondering if there a better configuration or pump. See attached photo.
Left to right
Far left pump - ignore, this is the yard irrigation pump (different forum .
Pump 1 - spa, single purpose "boost" pump, no inline filter, closed loop, spa floor and spa return jets. Connects to an air intake/venturi tube near the spa.
Pump 2 - main pump, spa floor, pool skimmer, pool floor, spa and pool returns.
Filter
Chlorinator (choline tablets) - new to me, only saltwater pools previously
Heater - our previous pool had the same exact model. Living in Florida we rarely use it. Thinking of uninstalling it and reclaiming pad space.

Here are my questions---
Q - Is there a better configuration, perhaps just using one pump for everything? Why? see the next question.

Q - Pump 1 - when we purchased the home I opened the pump to check the basket and O rings. There was a good amount of algae suggesting this pump was not used fairly often. I've been running it about an hour or so a few days a week to keep the line clear and treated. Is there a better way to keep this line clean? Stick a half used chlorine tablet or something in the basket?

Q - Tablet chlorinator, all my previous pools have been saltwater pools which has always been a little less hassle and monitoring. Just yearly maintenance of dissolving salt off the plates. Any saltwater to chlorine converts out there with feedback?

Q - squirrels....Im replacing all the value handles. Does anyone use a deterrent - soap, Cheyanne pepper powder to keep them away?

Thanks in advance..

 

[ajw22]

A two pump setup with a spa can give stronger spa jet pressure then a filter pump running through the restrictions of a filter and heater.

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Replace the chlorinator with a SWG. The acid in the chlorine tablets will eventually damage your heat pump.

 

[Jimrahbe]

FL,

I'd keep the separate pump for the spa jets.. This assumes you plan to use the spa often..

I would have switched to a SWCG before I moved in.. A saltwater pool is the only kind of pool to have..

I'd replace the main Pool pump with a large VS pump.

Unless your pool is in a screen-room, I'd get a much bigger filter.

What kind of automation system do you have??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[FLCoach]

A two pump setup with a spa can give stronger spa jet pressure then a filter pump running through the restrictions of a filter and heater.

Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Replace the chlorinator with a SWG. The acid in the chlorine tablets will eventually damage your heat pump.

Thank you for the quick feedback SWG is definitely on my list.

 

[FLCoach]

FL,

I'd keep the separate pump for the spa jets.. This assumes you plan to use the spa often..

I would have switched to a SWCG before I moved in.. A saltwater pool is the only kind of pool to have..

I'd replace the main Pool pump with a large VS pump.

Unless your pool is in a screen-room, I'd get a much bigger filter.

What kind of automation system do you have??

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks Jim!

A saltwater pool is all we had in the past. I am strongly leaning towards converting. The pool area is screened in - helps with the Florida bugs.
The automation is a big step down from my previous home. No easy phone app. This is an older Goldline - Aqua Logic, with in internal house "remote." This version seems to only have a basic daily schedule. I do have the booster pump set to run every day. We just dont use the spa all that often. Our last pool we used the spa maybe once a month. During the Florida summers the pool temp is like swimming in a warm bathtub. I had not thought of replacing the pump yet, but you are right. You can probably tell by the pictures the pump might need to be replaced soon anyways. If there is a good VS pump deal I could replace sooner and have a backup for the booster pump.

I do suspect there is a short or the control panel has a bad motherboard clock causing the clock to be reset. I might end up replacing this as well.
So what are we up to so far? 1k VS pump, 2k+ SWG, Newer control board 2k+....
I'll take recommendations if you have any. Thanks again!

 

[PoolStored]

Look on the intake side of the pumps and post pictures of the label with the model number. Look like pentair pumps. They are good pumps and you may be able to swap the motor to a VSP motor for a lot less than a new pump...

 

[Jimrahbe]

FL,

Well, it is easy to spend your money...

Here is my story.. I bought a couple rent houses with pools and at first I tried to just nurse the old equipment along.. This turned out to mean that I had to spend all my time screwing with the old equipment.. I then installed new Pentair equipment... Each pool got a 3 HP IntelliFlo pump, and an EasyTouch automation system, which included an IC40 salt system.. Just like magic, all my pool issues went away and we could enjoy the pools rather than work on them... I did keep the original DE filters, as at the time, that was all I knew.. They have since been replaced with large cartridge filters...

That was about 13 or 14 years ago.. The pumps were set up to run 24/7/365, mostly at 1200 rpm... Because they were converted to saltwater pools, running 24/7 allowed me to generate a little chlorine all the time, and skim all the time. I also like the look of my pool when there is a little 'action' to the water. I sold both house in the past year or so, but they still work today just like when they were new.. Running at 1200 rpm, the pumps are so quiet, that you almost have to touch them to make sure they are still running.. The cost to run 24/7 is less than $20 bucks a month..

I tell this story, as I see pool operation a lot differently than most traditional pool owners.

Equipment costs more now than it did when I upgraded my two pools, but... looking back, it was worth the money, as every time I looked at my pools, I would smile, instead of cry.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[FLCoach]

Look on the intake side of the pumps and post pictures of the label with the model number. Look like pentair pumps. They are good pumps and you may be able to swap the motor to a VSP motor for a lot less than a new pump...

Thank you. Something I haven't done before, but worth trying if a motor swap is possible and would help save some $$$. Here are the pictures.

 

[PoolStored]

I think that motor has been replaced. The pump notes 2hp, but motor is 1.65. Likely has the wrong impeller...I'll post #s in a bit...

 

[ajw22]

Consider the OmniPL upgrade for your Aqualogic system…

Hayward OmniPL - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolStored]

Replacing just the motor with a Nidec Neptune NPTQ165, and new gasket, shaft seal and O rings, and impeller screw, would convert you.

Getting a larger Neptune NPTQ270 and a new impeller 073130 to match would raise the price ~$200 or more.

Regardless of which option you choose, if you are going to DIY, be sure to watch some YouTube videos on replacing a seal or motor in a Whisperflo pump. The important part will be the impeller screw, it is left-hand threaded and must be replaced, before reassembling the pump.

Whatever way you go, using a VSP at lower speeds will save you $$.

I would check the impellor #...as I mentioned before, the motor was changed and I'll bet they didn't change the impeller. # should be molded into the impeller.

Neptune

acim.nidec.com

Impeller to TH (TH = HP * SF)
073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45

 

[FLCoach]

FL,

Well, it is easy to spend your money...

Here is my story.. I bought a couple rent houses with pools and at first I tried to just nurse the old equipment along.. This turned out to mean that I had to spend all my time screwing with the old equipment.. I then installed new Pentair equipment... Each pool got a 3 HP IntelliFlo pump, and an EasyTouch automation system, which included an IC40 salt system.. Just like magic, all my pool issues went away and we could enjoy the pools rather than work on them... I did keep the original DE filters, as at the time, that was all I knew.. They have since been replaced with large cartridge filters...

That was about 13 or 14 years ago.. The pumps were set up to run 24/7/365, mostly at 1200 rpm... Because they were converted to saltwater pools, running 24/7 allowed me to generate a little chlorine all the time, and skim all the time. I also like the look of my pool when there is a little 'action' to the water. I sold both house in the past year or so, but they still work today just like when they were new.. Running at 1200 rpm, the pumps are so quiet, that you almost have to touch them to make sure they are still running.. The cost to run 24/7 is less than $20 bucks a month..

I tell this story, as I see pool operation a lot differently than most traditional pool owners.

Equipment costs more now than it did when I upgraded my two pools, but... looking back, it was worth the money, as every time I looked at my pools, I would smile, instead of cry.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I hear you...if I don't have time or money to fix it right the first time, I definitely don't have time or money to fix it every weekend..
You are really selling me on the VS pump. For the VS pump, most of the time at 1200rpm. Did you need to increase rpms for a flow switch say on the salt system or the heater?

 

[FLCoach]

Replacing just the motor with a Nidec Neptune NPTQ165, and new gasket, shaft seal and O rings, and impeller screw, would convert you.

Getting a larger Neptune NPTQ270 and a new impeller 073130 to match would raise the price ~$200 or more.

Regardless of which option you choose, if you are going to DIY, be sure to watch some YouTube videos on replacing a seal or motor in a Whisperflo pump. The important part will be the impeller screw, it is left-hand threaded and must be replaced, before reassembling the pump.

Whatever way you go, using a VSP at lower speeds will save you $$.

I would check the impellor #...as I mentioned before, the motor was changed and I'll bet they didn't change the impeller. # should be molded into the impeller.

Neptune

acim.nidec.com

Impeller to TH (TH = HP * SF)
073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45

View attachment 634047

Thank you. Seeing the previous owner/pool maintenance company couldn't replace cracked/disolving baskets, you are probably right...and the original impeller is probably still installed. I will definitely try to check it out this week.

 

[PoolStored]

Did you need to increase rpms for a flow switch say on the salt system or the heater?

Not for the salt system, but any heater will reduce flow. Heaters also have a minimum flow to not damage the heater. They typically have pressure switches, but pressure switches are not a good proxy for flow. Hence, the heat can still heat with insufficient flow, but cause damage. I don't know why they don't use flow switches. This is also why you want a heater bypass as noted. You want to isolate the heater when you are not heating, to reduce RPMs on the VSP. As a note, you don't want to completely isolate the heater, 95% bypass, 5% heater will keep chlorinated water circulating through the heater. Eliminating the heater would eliminate the need to run higher RPM and the need for the bypass.

You likely will have to run about 1200-1400, maybe a bit more for the cell, and likely 2000-2200 for the heater. We recommend that you clean the filter, then run the VSP down until the flow switch for the SWG turns the SWG off. Then add 200...that gives you operating room for a dirty filter.

 

[JamesW]

The pump is over 20 years old.

Best to just replace rather than rebuild.

 

[PoolStored]

Best to just replace rather than rebuild.

There is an argument to be made for this, but I think it is closer to a tossup. The Pentair pump wet ends are really good, and have lots of available parts. And, OP will have to rebuild plumbing, unless he buys another Whisperflo.

No matter what route the OP goes, a VSP WILL save significant $$ over a single speed. Enough to make the payback 1-2 years. This was an analysis I did on dual speed vs. VSP for a Hayward pump owner (single speed payback is quicker than 2 speed). Whether you get a new VSP or upgrade your pump, it will payback itself.

Either way, OP is on the right track and asking the right questions!

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• PoolStored
• Mar 19, 2025

 

[JamesW]

Factor in a new impeller, diffuser, seals, gaskets, seal plate, front housing, basket, lid etc.

Pentair Whisperflo and Intelliflo Volute and Seal Plate Replacement Kit - 357149 - INYOPools.com

357149 - VOLUTE REPLACEMENT KIT (357149)

www.inyopools.com

 

[PoolStored]

All Inyo pricing...

New Whisperflo 2.6 is $1800.

Pentair Whisperflo VST 2.60 THP Inground Pool Pump, Variable Speed 115/208-230V - EC-011533 - INYOPools.com

Pentair Whisperflo VST 2.60 THP Inground Pool, Variable Speed 115/208-230V

www.inyopools.com

2.6 Impeller: $123.

Pentair WhisperFlo Impeller, 2 HP Full, 2 1/2 HP Up Rated - 073130 - INYOPools.com

073130 - IMPELLER, 2 HP FULL 2 1/2 HP UP (073130)

www.inyopools.com

Nidec VSP 2.7: $700.

US/Nidec Neptune Variable Speed Motor 2.70 THP Square Flange 230V 48Y - INYOPools.com

www.inyopools.com

$823...Assuming the wet end is good...

Assume you need a new wet end, seal plate and go kit...

Wet End with Seal Plate (not needed, but hey): $320

Pentair Whisperflo and Intelliflo Volute and Seal Plate Replacement Kit - 357149 - INYOPools.com

357149 - VOLUTE REPLACEMENT KIT (357149)

www.inyopools.com

Go kit 3 (salt) $40

Pentair WhisperFlo Pool Pump Saltwater Seal Kit Series | By Pureline | GOKIT32SALT - INYOPools.com

Tune Up Kit Pentair/Purex Whisperflo

www.inyopools.com

$1183...

What am I missing?

 

[JamesW]

Maybe everyone should just buy the parts instead of the whole pump since it is cheaper.

 

[JamesW]

Buy the parts, build your own pump and save $600.00.