Questions about VSPs

[dfwnoob]

Hey all - I just have a few dumb questions about variable speed pumps that I can't seem to find a direct answer to. Our electric contract is expiring in a couple of months and our rates are getting jacked up 3-4 cents a kWh regardless of who we go with or how long the term is.. we're literally getting close to California pricing. This sucks and it's making me move quicker on the idea of a VSP. My initial idea was to slap a Century V-Green 2.7 motor and controller onto my existing Jandy pump, but due to vendor lock-in, it doesn't look like the Aqualink system can talk to the V-green nicely, and this is where the questions start:

1. I assume that when you enable certain functions on the system, such as the spa, a properly configured same-vendor setup will automatically ramp up the pump, right? I wouldn't imagine it would let it sit at some low speed as the heater and spa jets need full speed. Maintaining this automation is important.

2. The V-green motor does have an available "automation adapter" that seems to convert Jandy/Hayward/Pentair RS-485 instructions into something the motor can understand. Does this work exactly like how a Jandy pump would work on a Jandy automation system?

3. Are there ANY non-Jandy pumps that play nicely with Aqualink? I don't mind spending money, but I am not paying someone to come out do something as basic as installing a pump just to satisfy Jandy and their "u no pro, u no touch our stuff, jerk" rules.

I want a VSP, but I'm not interested in having to go out and mess with a speed controller on a pump every time I want to do something that isn't just "run the pool".

I appreciate any guidance or advice.

 

[HermanTX]

Depending on what version your firmware is on your AquaLink the Jandy controller works with Jandy and the Pentair VS Pumps.
I have the latest revison - T2 for iAqualink and it controls the Pentair VS pump. You must have the RS485 control wire from the pump to the Aqualink board.

Some others have used the V-Green motor and can probably help specifically with that.

In the software you set speeds for certain functions such as Pool (normal circulation), Spa, Spa with Heater, Cleaner, etc. When the controller is scheduled for a certain function such as Spa then the that will ramp up the VS pump speed to the SPA speed you set. If you engage the Heater, then that may be a different speed.
See my speed setup in the attachment.

 

[dfwnoob]

I'm also running T.2, so that's great news. When did you get your Pentair pump? I'm hoping they haven't decided to "code" the compatibilty out of the pump controllers recently.

 

[HermanTX]

I'm also running T.2, so that's great news. When did you get your Pentair pump? I'm hoping they haven't decided to "code" the compatibilty out of the pump controllers recently.

I installed my Pentair pump over a year ago. I doubt they would remove that compatibility as they had it on earlier versions as well. Nothing is guaranteed but it is what it is for now.