Pentair VSF 3 GPM vs Speed

[CarterM]

Hello Everyone! I have recently noticed a change in the speed and power consumption of my pump vs my GPM setting. I have a Pentair VSF 3 with a Clean and Clear 420 cartridge filter and Intelliclor salt cell. All plumbing is 2" with 2 skimmers, main drain and 4 returns (2 in pool area, 2 in sun deck). I noticed that my pump has seemed louder than normal, I checked the pressure and it was a bit high. I have cleaned the filters, salt cell, and impeller. It seems to have helped a little bit. However, I feel that the pump is still working harder than it should for the GPM I am currently running. At 25 GPM, I'm running at 70-75% and around 800 watts. Does this seem high or am I thinking in to this too much?!

 

[proavia]

Welcome to TFP!

Change the pump settings to RPM instead of GPM.
You don't need to maintain a GPM to properly filter your pool water.

Suggest you have a read thru Pool Care Basics and a few of the TFP YouTube videos.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Carter,

Does not sound right to me...

Do you have the 1.5 HP intelliFlo3, or the 3 HP model??

I have an older 3 HP IntelliFlo, and at 1300 RPM, it only uses 200 watts.. Your pump should be much more energy efficient than mine.

What is your rpm at 25 GPM??

Show us several pic of your equipment pad so we can see how things are plumbed..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[CarterM]

Thanks for the help! The pump is a 3 HP.

 

[mknauss]

I would take the cartridges out of the filter and then run the pump.
No way you should have that level of psi and low flow with that set up.

 

[JamesW]

What is the pressure?

Check the cell for scale or debris.

 

[CarterM]

Currently running at 25 psi. Just cleaned the filters and the salt cell yesterday. Pump is making a squeaky noise. Checked the impeller as good as I could without pulling the housing.

 

[JamesW]

Your system has serious restrictions.

Maybe an issue with the filter or the cell.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Carter,

Just for grins I ramped my pump up to 2600 RPM (75% of 3450) and my filter pressure is 11 lbs.. So, your pressure is about twice what it should be..

We both have about the same equipment... 3 HP IntelliFlo, large cartridge filter, no heater...

I would do what Marty suggests and remove the cartridges and see what happens to your PSI..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JamesW]

 

[JamesW]

You have 4 returns, what do they all do?

 

[CarterM]

Just about to pull the filters. Noticed my pressure gauge is at 10 psi with the pressure released. That would skew my pressure numbers by 10 psi correct?

 

[CarterM]

You have 4 returns, what do they all do?

2 in the swim area and 2 in the tanning ledge.

 

[Newdude]

It might not skew ypur psi by 10 exactly, but it proves the gauge is shot. Get a 30 psi gauge as a replacement. There is no need to squint at a 60 when given the choice between the two.

 

[CarterM]

Would this little filter affect it? It is smashed in and full of debris.

 

[JamesW]

If we assume a pressure of about 15 due to the gauge being bad, the flow should be about 92 gpm.

The pressure and flow for 75% actually lines up better with the 1.5 HP model.

There was a different thread where the motor was mislabeled for the pump.

Maybe your system thinks that your pump is the 1.5 hp model.

Does the motor say 3.0 HP?


____________________________________________________________________________________

Sell Sheet | IntelliFlo3 VSF Pool Pump

online.flippingbook.com

IntelliFlo3® Variable Speed & Flow Pool Pump

The award-winning, energy-efficient IntelliFlo3 VSF Pool Pump has a quiet design with sensorless flow control, app connectivity, and automation capability.

www.pentair.com

 

[JamesW]

Would this little filter affect it? It is smashed in and full of debris.

No, but it does indicate excessive pressure at some point.

 

[Newdude]

Have you or a service person ever flocced the pool ?

Did you build the pool or Inherit after moving ?

How old are the carts ?

 

[JamesW]

 

[JamesW]

New Pentair Intelliflo3 VSF - confusing label on motor !?

Hi gang! I just received the Pentair Intellflo3 VSF 011077 that I ordered (Jandy pump is finally giving up the ghost). I just unboxed it and was looking it over, and I'm completely stumped by the label on the motor housing. The label on the motor says 1.5THP and the rest of the label matches...

www.troublefreepool.com

Here is a photo of my actual motor label.