Hi -
I'm hoping that you can help me out. I have a 10 year old pump (Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro 1.5hp, Model P6RA6F-206L) which needs repairs or replacement. I preface the discussion with the fact that I currently don't have a pool service company to call as our old one was terrible and they decided to require full weekly servicing to remain a client.
My husband and I opened our pool and our pool pump was leaking like a sieve, inconvenient as our equipment is all in our pool room in the garage. We took the pump apart and checked/lubricated the O ring and Gasket. We attempted replacing a shaft seal which smoked and burnt and damaged the impeller in the process. It also looked like the diffuser is cracked. I could get a new impeller, diffuser, Pentair Quick Kit w O ring gasket and shaft seal and attempt more repairs. But, our pump is 10 years old, was making a bit of noise at the end of last year, and is costly to run. I've researched whether there is a drop in replacement for my pump without changing the plumbing lines and I can't find one. The best that was recommended by Pentair was the Intellipro 3 VSF 1.5HP (Model 013065). I'm happy to make that upgrade as it should be more energy efficient. But, I'm confused about updating the controller. Our current controller for five pieces of equipment is an Intermatic Manual Clock. Pentair indicates that it won't work with the new pump and recommended the Intellicenter lite Model 523448 (5 relays / wifi and works w an app). Adding the automated controller is rather costly (with quick searches as I'm still trying to get a quote) and looks like it might not be a project we can't do on our own (prime pool time in the northeast so finding someone to come out is difficult). Is there another work around with our current setup? Can we install the Intellipro 3 VSF 1.5HP and connect the heater and vacuum booster pump directly to the Intellipro and run our filter and UV light using our existing Intermatic Manual Clock - setting them on the same time schedule but having the not integrated on the same automatic system? There would be a chance of a power outage that results in them not coming on simultaneously.
I did look into getting and Intermatic Clock that works with the Pentair variable speed pump (cheaper than the Pentair automated clock)but from what I see they require Cat 5 at the location that we're installing the clock and we don't have Cat 5 in our garage.
Another option - can I get my plumber to install the new Intellipro 3 VSF Pump and connect it to my Intermatic Manual Clock for the time being until I get someone to come out and install and automatic controller? I believe that Pentair indicated that it would essentially work like turning the pump on and off with a circuit breaker. My assumption is that the pump would just come on full speed each time and I could then adjust it with the app on my phone. Just a stop gap until I can get someone to install the Intellicenter Lite (we do have a basic pool so the automation is a bit overkill).
A last option is buying the new Sea-Rite Max-E-Pro. It is a single speed pump but only 1.1HP. The plumbing would need to be adjusted but I believe that it would work with our existing Intermatic Manual Clock. I shy away from this as the last few years the water flow in our pool has seemed quite low and I would like the benefits of a variable speed pump if I'm purchasing a new pump (I think it's about a $300 difference in price to the Pentair VSF).
If you have any suggestions of a cost effective work around that would be much appreciated.
Thank you, Cathy
I'm hoping that you can help me out. I have a 10 year old pump (Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro 1.5hp, Model P6RA6F-206L) which needs repairs or replacement. I preface the discussion with the fact that I currently don't have a pool service company to call as our old one was terrible and they decided to require full weekly servicing to remain a client.
My husband and I opened our pool and our pool pump was leaking like a sieve, inconvenient as our equipment is all in our pool room in the garage. We took the pump apart and checked/lubricated the O ring and Gasket. We attempted replacing a shaft seal which smoked and burnt and damaged the impeller in the process. It also looked like the diffuser is cracked. I could get a new impeller, diffuser, Pentair Quick Kit w O ring gasket and shaft seal and attempt more repairs. But, our pump is 10 years old, was making a bit of noise at the end of last year, and is costly to run. I've researched whether there is a drop in replacement for my pump without changing the plumbing lines and I can't find one. The best that was recommended by Pentair was the Intellipro 3 VSF 1.5HP (Model 013065). I'm happy to make that upgrade as it should be more energy efficient. But, I'm confused about updating the controller. Our current controller for five pieces of equipment is an Intermatic Manual Clock. Pentair indicates that it won't work with the new pump and recommended the Intellicenter lite Model 523448 (5 relays / wifi and works w an app). Adding the automated controller is rather costly (with quick searches as I'm still trying to get a quote) and looks like it might not be a project we can't do on our own (prime pool time in the northeast so finding someone to come out is difficult). Is there another work around with our current setup? Can we install the Intellipro 3 VSF 1.5HP and connect the heater and vacuum booster pump directly to the Intellipro and run our filter and UV light using our existing Intermatic Manual Clock - setting them on the same time schedule but having the not integrated on the same automatic system? There would be a chance of a power outage that results in them not coming on simultaneously.
I did look into getting and Intermatic Clock that works with the Pentair variable speed pump (cheaper than the Pentair automated clock)but from what I see they require Cat 5 at the location that we're installing the clock and we don't have Cat 5 in our garage.
Another option - can I get my plumber to install the new Intellipro 3 VSF Pump and connect it to my Intermatic Manual Clock for the time being until I get someone to come out and install and automatic controller? I believe that Pentair indicated that it would essentially work like turning the pump on and off with a circuit breaker. My assumption is that the pump would just come on full speed each time and I could then adjust it with the app on my phone. Just a stop gap until I can get someone to install the Intellicenter Lite (we do have a basic pool so the automation is a bit overkill).
A last option is buying the new Sea-Rite Max-E-Pro. It is a single speed pump but only 1.1HP. The plumbing would need to be adjusted but I believe that it would work with our existing Intermatic Manual Clock. I shy away from this as the last few years the water flow in our pool has seemed quite low and I would like the benefits of a variable speed pump if I'm purchasing a new pump (I think it's about a $300 difference in price to the Pentair VSF).
If you have any suggestions of a cost effective work around that would be much appreciated.
Thank you, Cathy
Your 'filter' just cleans the water and is not connected to any electricity. Your 'pool pump' just sucks water from the pool and sends it through the filter to be cleaned and then the water is returned to the pool.