Next Steps for Old Pumps

[Campbellsa]

Moved from here.
The Jandy warranty guy who just came out to replace the sensor on my Jandy Aquapure 1400 said I would need to add a separate box for automation. My understanding was that I might be able to use the PureLink Power Center that came with the SWG to save some $$? Is he right? I'd love automation but having trouble justifying the $4k quote.

Attached what my box looks like, thought I could just have someone install this: Zodiac iAquaLink 3.0 iQ30-RS Web Connection Upgrade Kit-IQ30

 

[Campbellsa]

Hi all-

Finally getting around to addressing my pump situation. Photos and details attached of current situation.

What do you all suggest for order and product to replace these (or not)?
1) Pool Pump: Pentair WFE-6 1.5hp single speed
2) Sweep: Century .75hp
3) Spa Pump: Pentair Whisperflo WFE-12 3hp

All currently function, but I'm up looking for efficiency and electricity savings. I also want to make sure whatever I put in is compatible with the likely soon to come automation system (probably Jandy Aqualink).

Pool Pump: I think the no-brainer is the Pool Pump which sucks 2kw of energy. Should I replace the whole thing or just the motor? Should I stick with Jandy? 1.65hp pumps seem to run in the $1,300 range, motors about $600, so probably just do the whole unit? Pentair 1.5 HP SuperFlo VS Pump, Inground Pool, Variable Speed 115-230 Volt - Model EC-342001 - INYOPools.com, https://www.inyopools.com/Products/00200017074679.htm

Sweep: Only runs a couple hours per day. New is about $500, worth replacing? Polaris .75 HP Booster Pump for Pressure Side Pool Cleaners, 115-230 Volt - PB460 - INYOPools.com

Spa Pump: Don't run it much so leave it?

Thanks for all your advice and help!

Shawn

 

[ajw22]

Attached what my box looks like, thought I could just have someone install this: Zodiac iAquaLink 3.0 iQ30-RS Web Connection Upgrade Kit-IQ30

The upgrade kit does not give you the relays and I think other bits that are in an Aqualink panel.

I doubt you will save any money getting the parts individually.

 

[ajw22]

You get no savings from replacing a working cleaner pump or spa pump.

Why do you plan on getting a Jandy Aqualink? Pentair IntelliCenter is much better. Get an IntelliCenter and an IntelliFlo VS pump.

If you want efficiency and maximum electricity savings then get a large HP (3 HP) VS pump and run it at low RPMs. A large pump uses the least electricity and is the most quiet.

 

[Campbellsa]

You get no savings from replacing a working cleaner pump or spa pump.

Why do you plan on getting a Jandy Aqualink? Pentair IntelliCenter is much better. Get an IntelliCenter and an IntelliFlo VS pump.

If you want efficiency and maximum electricity savings then get a large HP (3 HP) VS pump and run it at low RPMs. A large pump uses the least electricity and is the most quiet.

I thought I could save money on the automation since I already have the Jandy box for the SWG?

 

[ajw22]

I thought I could save money on the automation since I already have the Jandy box for the SWG?

Ok. You also started this thread..

Jandy SWCG Add on

Moved from here. The Jandy warranty guy who just came out to replace the sensor on my Jandy Aquapure 1400 said I would need to add a separate box for automation. My understanding was that I might be able to use the PureLink Power Center that came with the SWG to save some $$? Is he right? I'd...

www.troublefreepool.com

Please keep all of your pool equipment questions in one thread as you are seeing they are related.

 

[HermanTX]

Moved from here.
The Jandy warranty guy who just came out to replace the sensor on my Jandy Aquapure 1400 said I would need to add a separate box for automation. My understanding was that I might be able to use the PureLink Power Center that came with the SWG to save some $$? Is he right? I'd love automation but having trouble justifying the $4k quote.

Attached what my box looks like, thought I could just have someone install this: Zodiac iAquaLink 3.0 iQ30-RS Web Connection Upgrade Kit-IQ30

The AquaPure box is just to run the SWCG. If you want to run the pump, not only do you need the iAquaLink 3.0 RS PCB kit but will need to add HP relays and other components. If you remove that panel, you will only see a small PCB and a transformer that runs the SWCG. The service person was correct that you would need the proper AquaLink Automation box that to have all the guts to connect the pump, lights, temperature sensors, etc. That AquaPure box would just connect to it for power and control of the SWCG.

My suggestion is to purchase a Pentair IntelliCenter with a Pentair pump and continue to use the Jandy AquaPure SWCG until it needs replacement - then switch over to Pentair IntelliChlor SWCG.

 

[Campbellsa]

The AquaPure box is just to run the SWCG. If you want to run the pump, not only do you need the iAquaLink 3.0 RS PCB kit but will need to add HP relays and other components. If you remove that panel, you will only see a small PCB and a transformer that runs the SWCG. The service person was correct that you would need the proper AquaLink Automation box that to have all the guts to connect the pump, lights, temperature sensors, etc. That AquaPure box would just connect to it for power and control of the SWCG.

My suggestion is to purchase a Pentair IntelliCenter with a Pentair pump and continue to use the Jandy AquaPure SWCG until it needs replacement - then switch over to Pentair IntelliChlor SWCG.

The Jandy SWG is brand new so hopefully will not be replacing it in the near future. Why is Pentair better?

 

[HermanTX]

The Jandy SWG is brand new so hopefully will not be replacing it in the near future. Why is Pentair better?

With regard to Automation, the Pentair IntelliCZenter is much more adaptable and expandable going into the future. One example is that the firmware can be updated via internet. Jandy system is workable, I have one, but any upgrades requires purchasing new PCBs,.

 

[HermanTX]

The Jandy SWG is brand new so hopefully will not be replacing it in the near future. Why is Pentair better?

If you are referring to the SWCG. If you change to Pentair Automation, then a Pentair SWCG will interface with it better such as remote operations. Same with Jandy - a Jandy SWCG will only have remote operations with a Jandy Automation. Both SWCGs are good, the Pentair tend to be higher cost to replace because all the electronics are in the SWCG whereas on Jandy they are in the control box. You can read up on all SWCGs in the TFP Wiki in link at bottom of page.

I am pleased with the Jandy SWCG, however, I started out with a Jandy Automation. Then upgraded the automation for wireless & internet capability, then added the SWCG - all over a 2 year period. Since you are manually operating the Jandy SWCG now (you do not have any automation unless that AquaDyne box shown in your initial post has some capability) you have 2 choices - add a Jandy Automation or go with Pentair. As indicated earlier, the Pentair is much more advanced for basically the same investment. You would still have to manually operate the Jandy SWCG (to change percentages) but it would interface with the Pentair Automation to turn on and off with the pump.

 

[Campbellsa]

If you are referring to the SWCG. If you change to Pentair Automation, then a Pentair SWCG will interface with it better such as remote operations. Same with Jandy - a Jandy SWCG will only have remote operations with a Jandy Automation. Both SWCGs are good, the Pentair tend to be higher cost to replace because all the electronics are in the SWCG whereas on Jandy they are in the control box. You can read up on all SWCGs in the TFP Wiki in link at bottom of page.

I am pleased with the Jandy SWCG, however, I started out with a Jandy Automation. Then upgraded the automation for wireless & internet capability, then added the SWCG - all over a 2 year period. Since you are manually operating the Jandy SWCG now (you do not have any automation unless that AquaDyne box shown in your initial post has some capability) you have 2 choices - add a Jandy Automation or go with Pentair. As indicated earlier, the Pentair is much more advanced for basically the same investment. You would still have to manually operate the Jandy SWCG (to change percentages) but it would interface with the Pentair Automation to turn on and off with the pump.

I appreciate all the advice. The Aquapure is brand new so I wouldn't swap it. I think I can live with manually adjusting the SWG, I still have to monitor the chlorine level so pretty easy to pop into the equipment shed and adjust as necessary. I view the automation's main purpose to allow us to manage the pumps, lights, and water temp.

 

[Campbellsa]

I was doing more research on pool pump sizing, and from what I've read it seems like I really don't need 1.5hp. Based on my 16k sf pool/spa, do you think 1hp would be sufficient?

 

[ajw22]

I was doing more research on pool pump sizing, and from what I've read it seems like I really don't need 1.5hp. Based on my 16k sf pool/spa, do you think 1hp would be sufficient?

You are reading obsolete information that do not reflect current Federal and CA pool pump regulations.

Pump DOE Regulations - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Current California pool pump requirements: Title 20: enacted Jan. 1, 2008

• Pumps over 1.0 Total Horsepower (HP x SF), must have two or more speeds.
• Pump must have a control that is capable of operating at two or more speeds.
• Pump control must default to low-speed after a 24-hours of high-speed run time.
• Waterfall pumps, booster pumps and specialty pumps are excluded.

In California, single-speed pumps are no longer welcome and when they fail beyond repair, must be replaced with a multiple-speed or variable speed pool pump.

You said you wanted energy efficiency. A large HP VS pump run at low RPMs will use less electricity then a 1 HP single speed pump.

@1poolman1 is in CA and can accurately say what your choices are.

 

[Campbellsa]

You are reading obsolete information that do not reflect current Federal and CA pool pump regulations.

Pump DOE Regulations - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Current California pool pump requirements: Title 20: enacted Jan. 1, 2008

• Pumps over 1.0 Total Horsepower (HP x SF), must have two or more speeds.
• Pump must have a control that is capable of operating at two or more speeds.
• Pump control must default to low-speed after a 24-hours of high-speed run time.
• Waterfall pumps, booster pumps and specialty pumps are excluded.

In California, single-speed pumps are no longer welcome and when they fail beyond repair, must be replaced with a multiple-speed or variable speed pool pump.

You said you wanted energy efficiency. A large HP VS pump run at low RPMs will use less electricity then a 1 HP single speed pump.

@1poolman1 is in CA and can accurately say what your choices are.

Absolutely want variable speed just trying to figure out sizing.

 

[DanSDPool]

apparently there's an even more recent (than title 20) CA or federal rule on pumps
called something like "Pump U.S. DOE Regulations" July 19, 2021.

here's one example of an explanation:

Pump DOE Regulations - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

Absolutely want variable speed just trying to figure out sizing.

There is nothing to figure out.

A variable speed pump is a variable HP pump. You dial in the RPM/flow/HP you desire.

If you want to compare pumps you need to look at pump curves and flow rate at specific RPMs and head.

 

[1poolman1]

Absolutely want variable speed just trying to figure out sizing.

While old designations, a 2.7 VSP or larger horsepower pump will move the same amount of water for less energy (money) than a 1.85 VSP or smaller as the rpms can be less to get the same results. Those are the numbers for the Hayward TriStar pumps.
Horsepower, a measure of the energy used, not the work done, is very misleading. It is not the sole criteria for determining the pump one should get. That's one of the reasons the DOE now requires a new rating: WEF (weighted energy factor) and HHP (hydraulic horsepower) so the comparison of pumps can be easier. All pool pumps have them now, even cleaner booster pumps.
Because labels are now very different an older example would be a 1hp WhisperFlow vs. a 1hp SuperFlow. Both would use the same energy, having the same motor, but the Whisperflow will move more water at the same discharge head. Different designs. Neither of those pump are legal in the US any longer. IntelliFlow (based on the WhisperFlow) VSP is a more expensive and more efficient pump than a SuperFlow VSP.
Easiest way to choose is to get the largest high-head VSP and turn down the rpms to get the best results. You won't regret it.

 

[Campbellsa]

Hi! I was just quoted the following:
Jandy Aqualink 8 remote system iAqualink app, installed. $4400

Jandy PHP VS pump main circulation, installed. $2400

Jandy JXI 400 btu heater, installed. $4300

I recently had the Jandy Aquapure SWG installed so this provider decided to quote Jandy.

A couple specific questions:
1) Should I go with all Pentair even though I have the Jandy SWG? What functionality would I lose with the automation? Does $4,400 seem like a lot? My current system is the X10 which is terrible but all the wiring is currently in the pool shed at least.

2) I see the Pentair Superflo 1.5hp VSP pump quoted for $1,149…why the price difference?

3) If I mainly plan to just heat my 700 gallon jacuzzi (not the 16k pool) do I need this size heater? Living in SoCal I’m also considering installing pool solar (in addition to my roof electric solar panels) and then adding a smaller gas heater for the jacuzzi. I’ve now been told by a couple pool people here that heat pumps are terrible and don’t work…having trouble rationalizing anything else since my electric is basically free with my existing solar panel system. Any advice?

Thank you!!!