RPM / PSI

[diane135130]

I live in Orlando, FL and I just had Pentair Variable Speed Super Flow pool pump installed and trying to determine proper settings for optimal efficiency. Criteria below:
24K unground plaster rectangle, 8' at deep end.
Old pool so only one return and one skimmer.
Pump sits about 2" above coping and approx 10' from pool. See photos
Current settings:
3000 RPM at 8am for 3 hours @ 12psi & 295 watts
2200 RPM at 11am for 6 hours @ 5psi & 395 watts
2000 RPM at 5pm for balance of 24 hrs @ 3psi & 295 watts. I originally had the 3rd setting at 1800 but it only ran at 0 psi, although water was moving, skimmer suction was good and tiny particles off top of water were being drawn in.
Your suggestion for settings for optimal efficiency? Pool is not covered and is on North side of house so gets mostly sun all day.

 

[diane135130]

Also, Utility low cost hours are 8pm to 11 am

 

[diane135130]

Correction...8 pm to 2 pm for electric lower rates

 

[Bperry]

Psi in your filter is irrelevant as long as it doesn’t go above the max rating for your filter. Run your pump at the slowest speed you can to achieve the level of skimming you want. Perfectly fine if the filter is at 0psi as that means pressure isn’t building up.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Diane,

Filter pressure shows how much effort it takes to push water through your filter. Lower, even zero, is always better as long as you can feel a good flow out your returns.

I see no reason for you to run the pump at 3000 RPM. My pool run at 1200 RPM most of the time. At that speed by filter pressure is about 1 lb.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[diane135130]

Psi in your filter is irrelevant as long as it doesn’t go above the max rating for your filter. Run your pump at the slowest speed you can to achieve the level of skimming you want. Perfectly fine if the filter is at 0psi as that means pressure isn’t building up.

Awesome!!!!

 

[diane135130]

Diane,

Filter pressure shows how much effort it takes to push water through your filter. Lower, even zero, is always better as long as you can feel a good flow out your returns.

I see no reason for you to run the pump at 3000 RPM. My pool run at 1200 RPM most of the time. At that speed by filter pressure is about 1 lb.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I think I want a higher RPM for a couple of hours... Especially on Fridays, which is the day I do my chemical check, etc. I am concerned with turning over the required amount of water during 24 hours so, ideally, I work like my settings to facilitate the necessary GPM to do that. Ideas on that specific issue?

 

[mknauss]

I am concerned with turning over the required amount of water during 24 hours so

That is a myth. There is no need to concern oneself about 'turnover'. Run the pump for a reason. Create your chlorine, disperse your chlorine, skim the surface, run your vacuum, etc.

 

[Newdude]

I am concerned with turning over the required amount of water during 24 hours

No such requirement exists. It is a made up hypothetical guess that all pools in the land need the same amount of filtering which is absurd if you stop and think that through. Your own pools filtering needs will vary alot over the course of the season.

Chemicals take 15 mins to mix with good circulation. Do it twice a day if it helps you sleep at night.

 

[Bperry]

I think I want a higher RPM for a couple of hours... Especially on Fridays, which is the day I do my chemical check, etc. I am concerned with turning over the required amount of water during 24 hours so, ideally, I work like my settings to facilitate the necessary GPM to do that. Ideas on that specific issue?

The TFP pros will tell you that turnaround is a myth in that all the water never actually gets turned over anyway. Nothing wrong with a time of higher speed water flow, but if the pool is skimming well it’s not necessary.

 

[diane135130]

That is a myth. There is no need to concern oneself about 'turnover'. Run the pump for a reason. Create your chlorine, disperse your chlorine, skim the surface, run your vacuum, etc.

Thank you!

 

[diane135130]

That is a myth. There is no need to concern oneself about 'turnover'. Run the pump for a reason. Create your chlorine, disperse your chlorine, skim the surface, run your vacuum, etc.

Thank you! They seems to be the consensus!

 

[diane135130]

The TFP pros will tell you that turnaround is a myth in that all the water never actually gets turned over anyway. Nothing wrong with a time of higher speed water flow, but if the pool is skimming well it’s not necessary.

Love it! Thanks! I'm feeling smarter already!!

 

[diane135130]

So, do we all agree the vs pump should run 24 hours? Or is that a lie too.

 

[Bperry]

So, do we all agree the vs pump should run 24 hours? Or is that a lie too.

Totally user preference, I run mine 24x7 mostly just because it’s easier. Lots of people run it just for a few hours. Well technically if you have a saltwater generator then you need the pump to be running in order for that to work so not totally user preference

 

[Newdude]

It only *needs* to run enough to filter your pool, which will automatically be enough to keep the chemicals mixed. In the middle of the summer with less crud falling in the pool that may be 4 hours daily and during pollengeddon it may be 20 hours.

No matter what, the VS pump at less than full throttle is far more efficient than a SS pump. I ran mine 24/7 just so I never had to fiddle with it. It was $20 a month and I didn't care. My friends with single speeds paid $100 a month to run theirs part time.

 

[diane135130]

It only *needs* to run enough to filter your pool, which will automatically be enough to keep the chemicals mixed. In the middle of the summer with less crud falling in the pool that may be 4 hours daily and during pollengeddon it may be 20 hours.

No matter what, the VS pump at less than full throttle is far more efficient than a SS pump. I ran mine 24/7 just so I never had to fiddle with it. It was $20 a month and I didn't care. My friends with single speeds paid $100 a month to run theirs part time.

Thanks again; I really appreciate the wealth of information. I manage my own pool and every few months I take a water sample in just for good measure and they are always amazed that everything is on point. They already say 'whatever you're doing, keep doing it!' The pump installer who owns a pool store and has techs actually tried to hire me the other day! LOL I love the knowledge and confidence it gives me. Thanks again y'all!