Hello,
My old pump is leaking from the bottom and from the threading on the water outlet. The housing is a Hayward RS series and motor is an A.O. Smith 2HP single speed (I think its pretty much a Super Pump 2 equivalent). I took it apart and found that the diffuser gasket was definitely bad. Went to the pool store and got a kit including the diffuser gasket, housing gasket, and lid gasket. After putting it all back together I still had a leak from the bottom (maybe a little slower now) and the outlet leak seems to be getting worse. The pump hasn't been able to prime on its own due to too much air so each day I've been filling it up with a water hose for about a minute beforehand.
Called a mom/pop pool repair guy who says he said this is typical of this pump and he doesn't bother with them anymore. Supposed to get me some estimates on a replacement.
While waiting, I called a pool store for estimates this is what options they gave me:
1. $500 pump repair - new housing and impeller gasket
2. $600 new single speed pump
3. $1000 Astral - P280 1.5HP Variable Speed - USED (still a 3 year warranty)
4. $1600 Astral - P580 2HP Variable Speed
I've never heard of this brand and can't seem to find a lot of detail out about them. That makes me wonder if I'll have trouble finding parts down the road. Anyways, in general, I'm trying to decide if I should get a variable speed pump. Here are some thoughts/questions:
How much savings is there typically per month in electric costs? I pay an average $0.10 KwH and currently run the 2HP pump 4 hours a day.
Is a variable speed pump smart enough to turn off if it can't prime? If so, is it smart of enough to retry? We escape the Texas heat to the midwest to be with family for 2-3 weeks at a time in the summer. So if somehow the water level drops I'm worried about that. Or if someone turns the valves around wrong.
Do most VS pumps have auxiliary power in order to feed my heater? Again I can't find much detail on the Astrals, even on the manufacturers site.
Seems most costs savings occur when the pump runs on its slowest speed. I'm considering getting a SWCG. Will something like 1000 rpm's be too slow for the SWCG?
We also may not stay in the house past 5 years (hoping it will be longer than that). Would the payback on the VS pump and a Salt conversion be within 5 years?
Any other factors I need to consider?
My old pump is leaking from the bottom and from the threading on the water outlet. The housing is a Hayward RS series and motor is an A.O. Smith 2HP single speed (I think its pretty much a Super Pump 2 equivalent). I took it apart and found that the diffuser gasket was definitely bad. Went to the pool store and got a kit including the diffuser gasket, housing gasket, and lid gasket. After putting it all back together I still had a leak from the bottom (maybe a little slower now) and the outlet leak seems to be getting worse. The pump hasn't been able to prime on its own due to too much air so each day I've been filling it up with a water hose for about a minute beforehand.
Called a mom/pop pool repair guy who says he said this is typical of this pump and he doesn't bother with them anymore. Supposed to get me some estimates on a replacement.
While waiting, I called a pool store for estimates this is what options they gave me:
1. $500 pump repair - new housing and impeller gasket
2. $600 new single speed pump
3. $1000 Astral - P280 1.5HP Variable Speed - USED (still a 3 year warranty)
4. $1600 Astral - P580 2HP Variable Speed
I've never heard of this brand and can't seem to find a lot of detail out about them. That makes me wonder if I'll have trouble finding parts down the road. Anyways, in general, I'm trying to decide if I should get a variable speed pump. Here are some thoughts/questions:
How much savings is there typically per month in electric costs? I pay an average $0.10 KwH and currently run the 2HP pump 4 hours a day.
Is a variable speed pump smart enough to turn off if it can't prime? If so, is it smart of enough to retry? We escape the Texas heat to the midwest to be with family for 2-3 weeks at a time in the summer. So if somehow the water level drops I'm worried about that. Or if someone turns the valves around wrong.
Do most VS pumps have auxiliary power in order to feed my heater? Again I can't find much detail on the Astrals, even on the manufacturers site.
Seems most costs savings occur when the pump runs on its slowest speed. I'm considering getting a SWCG. Will something like 1000 rpm's be too slow for the SWCG?
We also may not stay in the house past 5 years (hoping it will be longer than that). Would the payback on the VS pump and a Salt conversion be within 5 years?
Any other factors I need to consider?
