Single Speed to Variable DIY

[MrsDragonZero2]

Hi all,

We have been looking for ways to reduce our energy consumption as we have bills that are $400+ during the summer. One idea is to switch our pool pump to a variable speed. I was looking through the forum for advice as we’d like to do this ourselves. I took a photo of our current motor but am having a hard time figuring out what VSP we would replace with. Any advice is SUPER appreciated.




Would like to add a general thanks to all for all of the super detailed info found in forums and the pool school. Our pool is the envy of the neighbors and friends, especially the ones who constantly struggle to get theirs “clean”. It’s really not terrible when you get a test kit and dial those levels in!

 

[Newdude]

Are you looking for just a motor swap, or the whole pump ?

Is it 110V or 220V ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mrs,

The good news is that with a VS pump, you don't have to figure anything out.

The initial cost is the main issue...

The bigger the VS pump, the slower your can run it and still move a lot of water.. and the quieter it will be.

I have a 3 HP IntelliFlo pump and run it 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM. I can do that for less than $20 bucks a month. And... my pump is over 10 years old and the newer VS pumps are much more energy efficient, and even cheaper to run.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[MrsDragonZero2]

Interested in swapping the whole pump, if that is something that is relatively straightforward DIY.

Looks like we have 110V.

 

[MrsDragonZero2]

Mrs,

The good news is that with a VS pump, you don't have to figure anything out.

The initial cost is the main issue...

The bigger the VS pump, the slower your can run it and still move a lot of water.. and the quieter it will be.

I have a 3 HP IntelliFlo pump and run it 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM. I can do that for less than $20 bucks a month. And... my pump is over 10 years old and the newer VS pumps are much more energy efficient, and even cheaper to run.

Thanks,

Jim R.

We are estimating that our pump is costing us $60+ a month and we leave it on the entire year.

What calculations do you perform in order to determine what RPM to run?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Only having 120 at your equipment pad will eliminate any of the larger VS pumps..

No matter which VS pump you buy, the basic idea is to run it as slow as you can and still get the job done. The exact RPM to do that, would depend on your pool, so you will just have to experiment and see what works best for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[MrsDragonZero2]

I went and took a photo of everything pool related in our shed

 

[MrsDragonZero2]

Important update: checked the breaker box and it has a double breaker, so thinking it is 220.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Show us a pic of the circuit breakers feeding your pool equipment.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[MrsDragonZero2]

Show us a pic of the circuit breakers feeding your pool equipment.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mrs,

Those are 240 volt breakers... It appears, reading the blue label, that your filter pump is connected to 240 volts AC.

Obviously, it would make sense to double check that before you buy any new pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[MrsDragonZero2]

Mrs,

Those are 240 volt breakers... It appears, reading the blue label, that your filter pump is connected to 240 volts AC.

Obviously, it would make sense to double check that before you buy any new pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Do you have a VSP reco based on our set up?