Replacing Single Speed Pump - VS or 2-Speed based on Needs

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M

mrbookmanlibrarycop

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2019
96
Westchester, NY
Pool Size
22000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hi All,

Know this question has been asked ad nauseam, but haven't really found an older post to answer some other questions I have:)

Looking to replace my single-speed Centurion pump (1 hp that runs 24/7 during the swim season) with either a 2-speed or VS pump. Not quite sure which would be better in terms of energy savings and the (lack of) features in my pool.

All I have are 2 return jets and 2 skimmers; no spillovers, spas, or any other water feature. I currently just vacuum the pool manually but will be getting a robot within the next year or 2. Also, I plan on converting to a SWG this year as well. Essentially, I really don't need to run a high setting with the exception of cleaning. If it makes any difference, my equipment is about 5-10 feet lower than the returns/skimmers

With all that said, I am just leaning towards a 2-speed. Is there anything I am missing or is it just better to get a VS for the longer term savings?
 
mrbookmanlibrarycop said:
With all that said, I am just leaning towards a 2-speed. Is there anything I am missing or is it just better to get a VS for the longer term savings?
Click to expand...
So a 2 speed pump will achieve almost all of the savings that a VS pump has. The difference in cost will likely never be recovered. But the 2 speed pump may not have enough flow on low speed to run the SWG, skim, vac, heat, etc etc etc. So then some folks are running the 2 speed on high most of the time, defeating it's purpose.

If the budget was tight, I would buy a large discount brand VS pump over a name brand 2 speed. Some of them are over half the cost and could be replaced twice as often to break even. Or they last just as long as the name brands and you scored.
 
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FWIW, I still run a 2-speed for my pool. One skimmer and SWG. I run on low 24/7. I also manually vacuum. Old school very simple.. 2-speeds (where available) are still in the $400 -500 range, so VSPs are becoming more competitive, not to mention there may be a VPS rebate from your local utility company.
 
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M,

I vote for a 2-speed. Since you do not have a heater, a 2-speed on low will be plenty fast enough for your SWCG.

A 2-speed pump, running on low speed, should reduce your pump's electrical demand by about 75%.

I almost never recommend 2-speed pumps, but in your case, it should be a perfect fit.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
mrbookmanlibrarycop said:
Hi All,

Know this question has been asked ad nauseam, but haven't really found an older post to answer some other questions I have:)

Looking to replace my single-speed Centurion pump (1 hp that runs 24/7 during the swim season) with either a 2-speed or VS pump. Not quite sure which would be better in terms of energy savings and the (lack of) features in my pool.

All I have are 2 return jets and 2 skimmers; no spillovers, spas, or any other water feature. I currently just vacuum the pool manually but will be getting a robot within the next year or 2. Also, I plan on converting to a SWG this year as well. Essentially, I really don't need to run a high setting with the exception of cleaning. If it makes any difference, my equipment is about 5-10 feet lower than the returns/skimmers

With all that said, I am just leaning towards a 2-speed. Is there anything I am missing or is it just better to get a VS for the longer term savings?
Click to expand...
Be aware that you can't just get a 2-speed pump (or motor) and expect it to operate. You also need a 2-speed capable time clock unless you get a Nidec (brand) motor with a built-in timer. For the cost of a motor and timer or a Nidec with built-in timer, you could get a variable-speed motor for your pump. The Century V-Green165 (an excellent motor that can be used with your existing timeclock) is still available at Inyopools.com (though it is a discontinued motor).

You have a Centurion (Century Motors) motor but if you could give the name of the pump itself it would help with a recommendation. If you have a Pentair Whisperflow or a StaRite Max-E-Glass (1, 2, Pro), Hayward TriStar, Pac-Fab Challenger, you need a square-flange motor (ECM16SQU). If it is a Hayward Super Pump, or Super 2, you need a C-frame motor (ECM16CU). Both are listed on the site. It would bolt on with only the need for a seal and whatever O rings and gaskets for the pump.
 
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Texas Splash said:
FWIW, I still run a 2-speed for my pool. One skimmer and SWG. I run on low 24/7. I also manually vacuum. Old school very simple.. 2-speeds (where available) are still in the $400 -500 range, so VSPs are becoming more competitive, not to mention there may be a VPS rebate from your local utility company.
Click to expand...
That's good to know thanks, and yes our electric company has a rebate for any multispeed pump installed:cool:

and @Newdude no budget restrictions here, if a VS makes more sense then I will go for one, though who doesn't want to save a few hundred:D
 
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1poolman1 said:
Be aware that you can't just get a 2-speed pump (or motor) and expect it to operate. You also need a 2-speed capable time clock unless you get a Nidec (brand) motor with a built-in timer. For the cost of a motor and timer or a Nidec with built-in timer, you could get a variable-speed motor for your pump. The Century V-Green165 (an excellent motor that can be used with your existing timeclock) is still available at Inyopools.com (though it is a discontinued motor).

You have a Centurion (Century Motors) motor but if you could give the name of the pump itself it would help with a recommendation. If you have a Pentair Whisperflow or a StaRite Max-E-Glass (1, 2, Pro), Hayward TriStar, Pac-Fab Challenger, you need a square-flange motor (ECM16SQU). If it is a Hayward Super Pump, or Super 2, you need a C-frame motor (ECM16CU). Both are listed on the site. It would bolt on with only the need for a seal and whatever O rings and gaskets for the pump.
Click to expand...
Here are some pics of the motor & pump. Motor is a B128 and pump is Hayward Super 2. Always had it running 24/7 during season but I did just replace my broken Tork timer
 

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Jimrahbe said:
M,

I vote for a 2-speed. Since you do not have a heater, a 2-speed on low will be plenty fast enough for your SWCG.

A 2-speed pump, running on low speed, should reduce your pump's electrical demand by about 75%.

I almost never recommend 2-speed pumps, but in your case, it should be a perfect fit.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that and that is what I figured as well. No heater, just the sun blasting from 8a-8p in the summer! any recommendations? Just reading on these DOE regulations as well so will put that into consideration
 
I think a decent VSP makes the most sense. You can easily program many of them to run different schedules. Most of the day you can run them at really low RPM’s just to move the water and filter. At those speeds the pump uses about as much power as two 100W lightbulbs. Then when you want to make chlorine you can run it at a slightly higher speed but not excessively so. Finally, if you really want the skimmers to pull and do a good job of surface cleaning you can program a high speed to run for an hour or so.

There just so much more versatility with a good programmable VSP that it makes installing an old 2-speed seem pointless. Considering how simple your pool is, the VSP would be the “brains” of your pool. Set it up once with the schedules and speeds you want and then let it run.

One thing to note about VSPs is that they need to be powered all the time, not run by time clocks. So you would be wiring it directly to the line side of whatever electrical power you have now. You can keep the mechanical timer around for when you get an SWG since SWGs need to be powered off when the pump isn’t running. SWG’s can explode if they are energized without water flow. They have flow switches as safety backups but you should never rely on that as the primary safety. The primary safety is to cut power to the SWG when the pump is not running.
 
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JoyfulNoise said:
I think a decent VSP makes the most sense. You can easily program many of them to run different schedules. Most of the day you can run them at really low RPM’s just to move the water and filter. At those speeds the pump uses about as much power as two 100W lightbulbs. Then when you want to make chlorine you can run it at a slightly higher speed but not excessively so. Finally, if you really want the skimmers to pull and do a good job of surface cleaning you can program a high speed to run for an hour or so.

There just so much more versatility with a good programmable VSP that it makes installing an old 2-speed seem pointless. Considering how simple your pool is, the VSP would be the “brains” of your pool. Set it up once with the schedules and speeds you want and then let it run.

One thing to note about VSPs is that they need to be powered all the time, not run by time clocks. So you would be wiring it directly to the line side of whatever electrical power you have now. You can keep the mechanical timer around for when you get an SWG since SWGs need to be powered off when the pump isn’t running. SWG’s can explode if they are energized without water flow. They have flow switches as safety backups but you should never rely on that as the primary safety. The primary safety is to cut power to the SWG when the pump is not running.
Click to expand...


One thing I've read here is that mechanical timers might get out of sync with the pump. That's why I understand now that getting an SWG of the same brand as the pump often makes the most sense as they can work together better, depending on your needs.
 
Consider getting this Black+Decker VS pump for your simple pool. It is about the same cost as a 2 speed pump with controls...


Calimar/Circupool/BD/Blue Torrent Pump - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

poolpartstogo.com

VIDEO: How to Replace and Install a BLACK+DECKER Variable-Speed Pool Pump

Forget calling in a pool expert to install your new pump. You are the expert! Or at least you could be, by following Rigby Pool’s Services’s installation tutorial below. He walks step-by-step through the installation, the plumbing, and the wiring process. Give it a watch and you’ll see that...
poolpartstogo.com poolpartstogo.com
 
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An update to this thread: Replacing Single Speed Pump - VS or 2-Speed based on Needs

Essentially, I am replacing my 1HP single speed pump and decided to go with ajw22's recommendation of a cheaper 2HP VSP https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-Variable-Speed-Ground/dp/B09BBQ36Z2?th=1

As stated in previous thread, it is a super simple setup....20-25k gallon gunite, 2 returns, 2 skimmers, no heater, no water features, 1.5" pipes, and looking to upgrade to a SWG next summer.

All is well, but they just sent me the 3HP model by mistake:cool:. They told me I can either just keep it since it was their mistake or return it and get the 2HP model instead. So my question, is there any downside to just using the 3HP based on my pool?
 

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