Pump, Filter, and Circulation Question

[MelusineBeerCo]

My pump has one 2" pvc leaving going to pool return jets, one 2" pvc leaving going to spa return jets, one 2" pvc leaving labels "spa overflow" and one 1" pvc leaving going to the pool slide.

The pumps inlet has three lines, one 2" pvc coming from two drains in the deep end, one 2" pvc coming in from two drains in the spa, and one 2" pvc coming in from the two skimmers on the far side of the pool.

The spa has six return jets and the pool has five return jets.

The main pump is a pentair 1 hp superflo model number SF-N1-1 and the sand filter is pentair TA-60D-2.

Most of the plumbing is between 100 and 140 feet from the pump to the pool and 100 to 140 feet back.

Ive always thought it was a little underpowered because to use the slide I have to throttle down the valve going to something else.......

I feel that a 1.5 HP pentair should have been used.

If I replace my pump, can I still use my current sand filter?

 

[ajw22]

I feel that a 1.5 HP pentair should have been used.

Superflow is a medium head pump. You have a high head setup.

Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

A 3HP Intelliflo pump would have been best.

If I replace my pump, can I still use my current sand filter?

Yes.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mel,

In the old days recommending a 3 HP pump for your pool, would not be good advice..

The good news is we no longer live in old days...

Today we have Variable Speed pumps.. Actually they really are variable HP pumps.. This allows you to have plenty of HP when you need it, and very little HP when you don't.

This is why the 3 HP IntelliFlo3 pump that Allen recommended makes so much sense..

The bigger the pump, the more water it will move at lower speeds.. the lower the speed, the less it costs and the quieter it is..

I have an older 3 HP IntelliFlo on my simple pool which runs 24/7, mostly at 1200 rpm.. The cost to do that is less than $20 bucks a month. It is so quiet, that you almost have to touch the pump just to make sure it is still running.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolStored]

Having a VSP, and running at low RPM will save you $$$...

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• PoolStored
• Mar 24, 2025

 

[MelusineBeerCo]

Superflow is a medium head pump. You have a high head setup.

Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

A 3HP Intelliflo pump would have been best.

Yes.

I have basic on/off system using dial timers. I don't have automation. Will I still be able to use the INTELIFLOW3 or would the WhisperFlo be a better route?

 

[ajw22]

I have basic on/off system using dial timers. I don't have automation. Will I still be able to use the INTELIFLOW3 or would the WhisperFlo be a better route?

Either will be a VS pump best controlled by schedules in its control panel.

What else is on your dial timers?

Intelliflo3 has an optional IO Board with 2 relays that can replace your timer and put all the control through the pump automation.

 

[PoolStored]

I have basic in off system using dial timers. I don't have automation. Will I still be able to use the INTELIFLOW3 or would the WhisperFlo be a better route?

A bit to unpack.

• The pump you have can be wired with 115v or 230v. You need to determine how it is wired. Can you look at the breaker/post a picture of the breaker for the pump? I'd also post pictures of your equipment pad.
• In order to choose the right pump, we need to know the wiring. Pump come in 115v, 230 or some can be wired with either.
• Whisperflo pumps only go up to 1.65THP in the dual voltage (115/230) version. The larger versions are 230v.
• The intelliflo3 1.5THP is dual voltage. The intelliflo3 3THP is 230v

If I were updating my pump, and given your requirements, I'd rewire to 230v if you don't have 230v service already and get the larger of either pump.

Post up the pictures, that will help us.

I'd also get rid of the inline chlorinator. Best way to kill a heater. Have you considered installing a salt water chlorine generator while you are updating your pad?

 

[MelusineBeerCo]

A bit to unpack.

• The pump you have can be wired with 115v or 230v. You need to determine how it is wired. Can you look at the breaker/post a picture of the breaker for the pump? I'd also post pictures of your equipment pad.
• In order to choose the right pump, we need to know the wiring. Pump come in 115v, 230 or some can be wired with either.
• Whisperflo pumps only go up to 1.65THP in the dual voltage (115/230) version. The larger versions are 230v.
• The intelliflo3 1.5THP is dual voltage. The intelliflo3 3THP is 230v

If I were updating my pump, and given your requirements, I'd rewire to 230v if you don't have 230v service already and get the larger of either pump.

Post up the pictures, that will help us.

I'd also get rid of the inline chlorinator. Best way to kill a heater. Have you considered installing a salt water chlorine generator while you are updating your pad?

The inline chlorinator is in off position. I switched to liquid chlorine.

 

[MelusineBeerCo]

What else is on your dial timers?

One controls pump and one controls the LED pentair lights.

 

[MelusineBeerCo]

Post up the pictures, that will help us.

Ok, I just tried but saying size is too big. Give me some time to resize and convert the file

 

[MelusineBeerCo]

You need to determine how it is wired.

It for sure is wired 220v.

 

[ajw22]

Ok, I just tried but saying size is too big. Give me some time to resize and convert the file

Picture Posting and Resizing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

One controls pump and one controls the LED pentair lights.

You can control the lights through the Intelliflo3 IO Board relay and get rid of both timers.

 

[MelusineBeerCo]

You can control the lights through the Intelliflo3 IO Board relay and get rid of both timers.

Ah, that would be sweet.... I am looking at a new Pentair IntelliFlo3 for 1600.00