Recommended RPM settings for pump, solar, Jacuzzi, etc

[Coobie]

I had a Pentair VS pump installed and the installer programmed it. It would run my Navigator pool cleaning vacuum (We just call him Bob) perfectly at 2500 RPM. When we wanted to use the jacuzzi, I would simply hit the #4 and the speed would increase to 3500 RPM for the jacuzzi. I was happy at the time.

Then we installed the pool solar at the same time we installed solar on our home. The Pentair pump connected to the Pentair Solar Touch control unit. The installer programmed the crud out of it, it starts at 1800 RPM for a prime then goes to 3600 RPM which pushed the air out of the rooftop solar (makes rad bubbles in the pool though!) and then goes to a set speed. That seems good, but he did these programs on every program level. Now I can only clean my pool manually because the pump has so many programs that it can be running at 2500 RPM and the next minute it goes up to 3600 RPM, then switch to 1800 RPM etc. The programs jump all over the place!!

At this point, I am not asking how to fix the Pentair pump/Solar Touch combo programming as I am putting that on the installer. However I would like to know what settings to have him program, and advice I have received has added to my quandary. The solar touch supposedly blocks off pumping water up to the roof panels when it is not needed (not enough sun). So I would imagine that a good cleaning speed for Bob would be sufficient. How about when the sun is out and the valve to the roof is open? I've been told that the flow should be slow so it can be heated by the solar but have also been told that a slow flow wont allow the water to be pushed vertically up a pipe to the roof of my patio, which also makes sense.

I would really appreciate any recommendations and or advice you can give.

Pool cleaning RPM for Bob?
Pool cleaning RPM for Bob with solar activated?
RPM for solar if Bob is scheduled during different hours?
Anything I am missing?

Thanks!
Coob

 

[mas985]

've been told that the flow should be slow so it can be heated by the solar

That is incorrect. The efficiency of a solar panel system increases with flow rate. However, there are diminishing returns. Most manufactures recommend at least 0.1 GPM/sq-ft of solar panels.

Unfortunately it is difficult to give you a specific RPM for each function since there are way too many variables involved. But I can give you some advice on how to figure out the RPM for each function.

Cleaner: Trial and error but I thought you did that already. Was 2500 RPM not correct? What you might find is that when solar is engaged, you will need a slightly higher RPM than when it is not engaged but that may be ok since solar requires higher RPM anyway.

Solar: This one is a bit more difficult but you can usually key off of the filter pressure. You need enough filter pressure to keep the VRV closed at the top of the panels (I am assuming you have a VRV). So to do this, you need to know the height of the panels. For example, if they are on the top of the roof, say 25' above the filter gauge, the filter pressure needs to be at least 25'/2.31 + 3 = 14 PSI and maybe more depending on the head loss between the filter and the VRV. Again some trial and error is required. I would start and a higher PSI/RPM and work down until you see the PSI jump up again. That means the VRV opened. Also, as the filter gets dirty, you will need a higher RPM to compensate because the pressure at the VRV drops. So it is best to keep the RPM a bit higher than you actually need. So how big are your panels and how high above the filter are they installed?

As for RPM at different hours, between solar and the cleaner, that should be all the run time you need. Technically, you only "need" a couple of hours per day of run time for circulation. Any extra run time would be for things like SWGs, solar, cleaners, heaters, skimmers, etc.