Thoughts on electric and pump upgrade... maybe an SWCG on the side?

[Pauls234]

Hi All,

I am having an electrician coming to bond my pool and could use some electrical upgrades as well - currently I have just a standard (very worn looking) GFCI outlet where the heater and pump just plug right in. I am thinking of having a timer installed and then things just get hard wired into that.

My pump ended last season sounding like it wanted to lose a bearing and it started tripping the GFCI in heavy rain, so thinking it makes sense to get a new one (didn't expect it to last as long as it did). I know the 2 speed are highly recommended here, and the only reason I did not get one in 2013 is because I got my current Waterway for $120 so couldn't justify the cost increase, plus cash flow was tighter then too.

And now, maybe I want an SWCG.....

So questions:
Electric - what are the benefits of hard wiring all this into a timer vs standard 3 pronged plugs? I welcome reccommendations on timers as well.
Pump - I believe a 1HP, 2 speed makes the most sense for my 21K gal pool - what are brands to look at, or run from? Would I need to stay on high speed when running the heat?
SWCG - what are electrical considerations I should make if I may add this in the future? Is the electrical work substantial enough that I should just pull the trigger now?

Anything else I should consider having the electrician do?

thx
Paul

 

[rumcglot]

Electric - what are the benefits of hard wiring all this into a timer vs standard 3 pronged plugs? I welcome reccommendations on timers as well.

I would (well, did recently) install a 220V pump. I'm not sure they make GFCI sockets for 220V plugs. So that would decide the issue. The Intermatic T10x is the sorta bog standard mechanical timer often used. That's what I have.

Pump - I believe a 1HP, 2 speed makes the most sense for my 21K gal pool - what are brands to look at, or run from?

I have a Hayward VSP. Seems fine. Has its own timer built in. I've read to stay away from the Hayward Echostar line.

SWCG - what are electrical considerations I should make if I may add this in the future? Is the electrical work substantial enough that I should just pull the trigger now?

It will also need to be run to a timer. Either the same as for the pump or a separate one. It there's a timer box there, and you know how to cut off the circuit breaker, you can do it yourself. On the other hand, if you are replacing the pump and bringing out an electrician, I don't see why you wouldn't install the SWCG at the same time. That's what I did.

 

[Pauls234]

Thanks rumcglot. I was on the fence about SWCG, but leaning towards no, at least for this year. I spend maybe $150 each season on chlorine so that is a long time to break even for me. I get the convenience aspect and am jealous at how everyone on this forum who has an SWCG just raves about it, but think I am going to hold off and spend that $1200 elsewhere.

After doing further research, I think I am going to keep it simple and skip the hardwiring. Leaning towards this pump which comes with a 3 prong plug anyway. And I don't need my heater on a timer.

Hayward PowerFlo MATRIX Pool 2-Speed Pump, 115V, 1.5 HP

Hayward PowerFlo MATRIX Pool 2-Speed Pump, 115V, 1.5 HP. Hurry and purchase today at Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

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[jseyfert3]

I would (well, did recently) install a 220V pump. I'm not sure they make GFCI sockets for 220V plugs.

Well they certainly make 240 V GFCI breakers, so whether or not they make 240 V GFCI outlets won't change anything, cause if you can't get a GFCI outlet you can get a GFCI breaker.

 

[Pauls234]

Aha, I was coming across pool pump timers that warned "no gfci outlet" and I was baffled as to how that could possibly be useful, but GFCI breaker expliains that, thank you.

So, given that I will only need my 3 prong plug pump on a timer, does it make more sense to have standard 3 prong outlets installed and then just buy a separate timer to plug into that vs. hard wiring in a timer?

Hard wiring sounds better to me, but I don't know why....