Trying to match up my automation with a high flow pump

[Dunskit]

I am newer to owning a pool and need to replace my pump.
Will add details on my pool below after the lead in and question. Apologize if there is too much detail with the question lead in.
I have a Pentair Easy Touch 4 with Screenlogic2, and need to add a new pump. The original is an old Pentair single speed which will not operate my Zodiac MX8 Elite Vacuum Robot, and the skimmers.
The pump my research has brought me to is the Pentair Intelliflo 3hp VS+SVRS primarily because I THINK it will integrate to the automation in a way that would be beneficial.
This initial pump replacement is a phase one to get my pool back to proper operating condition. Phase 2, this fall, will be adding a second pump and a cartridge filter for the spa. For now one pump runs it all.
Question:
1. Based on my pool setup below is this pump sufficient to operate my vacuum robot and two skimmers at the same time? (Single speed it is one or the other)
2. Can I set the varying schedules below using my phone app? I currently use the app to set schedules...though the app itself is a bit glitchy when adding multiple schedules.
3. Can I use my automation to set up different schedules that will allow me to customize multiple applications?
The different schedules I would like are:
1. High flow for Vacuum & Skimmers (or just the spa) to run based on a set schedule
2. Low flow to run on a set different set schedule
3. Med flow to run the skimmers and two waterfalls.

Pool Configuration:
- Kidney shaped pool
- 20k gallon chlorine; 4' to 7.5' deep, 2 - skimmers, Vacuum inlet, Main Drain
- Approx. 600 gallon raised SPA approx 6 jets and is farthest from pool equipment
- 2 - Waterfalls, approximately 3' above ground
- Pool equipment around 25' from start of pool and nearest skimmer
- Length of the pool continues straight away from pool equipment
Equipment
- Individual 2" PVC piping for each feature above that go to a feed manifold as well as a return manifold
- Jandy valves with electric actuators, SPA, Waterfalls, and SPA air pump (To have a low air to the jets setting)
- Inline chlorinator
- Pentair check valves for spa, spa filler, and between heater and chlorinator
- Hayward DE Filter
- Old Hayward Natural Gas Heater - H300ED1

​

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dun,

I have yet to read your whole post, but I can already say this... You never, ever, ever want to buy a pump with the SVRS option.. Ever!!!

The SVRS option is not needed and it turns the IntelliFlo, the gold standard of pools pumps, into the Brown standard of pools pumps. I know, because I have one... If you want a pump that is a large pain in the rear, then the SVRS is the one to get...

SVRS is just never needed nor required...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dunskit]

Dun,

I have yet to read your whole post, but I can already say this... You never, ever, ever want to buy a pump with the SVRS option.. Ever!!!

The SVRS option is not needed and it turns the IntelliFlo, the gold standard of pools pumps, into the Brown standard of pools pumps. I know, because I have one... If you want a pump that is a large pain in the rear, then the SVRS is the one to get...

SVRS is just never needed nor required...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks. Unfortunately, it seems the Intelliflo 3hp is now only available with SVRS. I am really trying to understand if the new Intelliflo is beneficial based on my automation, pool, and equipment configuration. If it is not truly beneficial hayward has the tristar which seems to provide more volume of pumping capability than the intelliflo.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Unfortunately, it seems the Intelliflo 3hp is now only available with SVRS.

Dun,

The above quote is not even close to being true... Why would you think that?

Sounds to me like someone is trying to sell you an old obsolete SVRS pump..

IntelliFlo VS / VSF

IntelliFlo3 VSF

The biggest thing you can do that will effect your flow issue, is the add a by-pass to your heater.

Let's see if Mark has any inputs.. Calling @mas985

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mas985]

I am newer to owning a pool and need to replace my pump.
Will add details on my pool below after the lead in and question. Apologize if there is too much detail with the question lead in.
I have a Pentair Easy Touch 4 with Screenlogic2, and need to add a new pump. The original is an old Pentair single speed which will not operate my Zodiac MX8 Elite Vacuum Robot, and the skimmers.

What is the make/model# of the old pump? Or take a picture of the pump and motor label.

The pump my research has brought me to is the Pentair Intelliflo 3hp VS+SVRS primarily because I THINK it will integrate to the automation in a way that would be beneficial.

All Intelliflos integrate with automation so that is not the only pump that will do so.

This initial pump replacement is a phase one to get my pool back to proper operating condition. Phase 2, this fall, will be adding a second pump and a cartridge filter for the spa. For now one pump runs it all.
Question:
1. Based on my pool setup below is this pump sufficient to operate my vacuum robot and two skimmers at the same time? (Single speed it is one or the other)

Any Intelliflo would be sufficient.

2. Can I set the varying schedules below using my phone app? I currently use the app to set schedules...though the app itself is a bit glitchy when adding multiple schedules.

This should be handle by the automation but I believe the Intelliflo3 can also do this on it's own.

3. Can I use my automation to set up different schedules that will allow me to customize multiple applications?
The different schedules I would like are:
1. High flow for Vacuum & Skimmers (or just the spa) to run based on a set schedule
2. Low flow to run on a set different set schedule
3. Med flow to run the skimmers and two waterfalls.

Yes

Pool Configuration:
- Kidney shaped pool
- 20k gallon chlorine; 4' to 7.5' deep, 2 - skimmers, Vacuum inlet, Main Drain
- Approx. 600 gallon raised SPA approx 6 jets and is farthest from pool equipment

What is the jet orifice size or the GPM requirement per jet? What size plumbing is use for the suction and return side for the jets?

- 2 - Waterfalls, approximately 3' above ground

What is the size of the waterfalls (i.e. width)? Are these waterfalls or sheer descents or something else?

Thanks. Unfortunately, it seems the Intelliflo 3hp is now only available with SVRS. I am really trying to understand if the new Intelliflo is beneficial based on my automation, pool, and equipment configuration.

Again, the entire Intelliflo line will integrate with automation.

If it is not truly beneficial hayward has the tristar which seems to provide more volume of pumping capability than the intelliflo.

First, no Hayward pump will integrate with your automation and second, the performance of the two pumps is about the same. Where did you see that the TriStar provides more pumping capability?

 

[Dunskit]

Dun,

The above quote is not even close to being true... Why would you think that?

Sounds to me like someone is trying to sell you an old obsolete SVRS pump..

IntelliFlo VS / VSF

IntelliFlo3 VSF

The biggest thing you can do that will effect your flow issue, is the add a by-pass to your heater.

Let's see if Mark has any inputs.. Calling @mas985

Thanks,

Jim R.

I saw the VSF was discontinued on some site, and cannot find one listed on the standard pool sites like Leslie's / Inyo pools. The link you provided is great but the VS is not in stock. The VSF appears to be the "cruise control" version. Which is better knowing I would like to continue using my vacuum robot with 2 skimmers which requires high flow?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dun,

Poly is a major distributor and replenishes their stock pretty quickly..

You can also get on their wait list and they will fill the order when new stock comes in..

I would rather let it just dribble down my leg as to walk into a Leslies, just to use their bathroom, much less actually buy from them...

Did you look at the new IntelliFlo3? That is a great pump...

Can be controled by Automation, or by an app. Comes with a display if you wanted one, or a relay card for external control of a SWCG or ???

It is the place I go to buy equipment for my pools, so I don't have much experience with other vendors.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dunskit]

What is the make/model# of the old pump? Or take a picture of the pump and motor label.


All Intelliflos integrate with automation so that is not the only pump that will do so.


Any Intelliflo would be sufficient.


This should be handle by the automation but I believe the Intelliflo3 can also do this on it's own.


Yes


What is the jet orifice size or the GPM requirement per jet? What size plumbing is use for the suction and return side for the jets?


What is the size of the waterfalls (i.e. width)? Are these waterfalls or sheer descents or something else?


Again, the entire Intelliflo line will integrate with automation.


First, no Hayward pump will integrate with your automation and second, the performance of the two pumps is about the same. Where did you see that the TriStar provides more pumping capability?

Responses:
1. Old pump: Pentair Challenger, Motor PN 346201 ~ PMP CHII N1 2A
2. Six pool jets w approx 1" orifice. SPA orifice is 5/16"
3. Two inch PVC plumbing. Single 2" pipe returning water to the jets
4. Waterfalls are physically about 3'H x 4'W. One has two water outets and one has a single outlet. Each has their own return line from the manifold returning water to the pool.
5. Hayward Tristar has a bit better flow rating via their spec charts based on this rank amateurs interpretation. Leslie pool manager confirmed.
Thank you for taking the time and providing advice.
At this point I would like to know if the VSF, which seems available at the site Jim noted, can be scheduled to be in high flow mode for the vacuum robot / skimmer operation, or if it will always default to "cruise control" and decide for itself if high flow is needed?

 

[Dunskit]

Dun,

Poly is a major distributor and replenishes their stock pretty quickly..

You can also get on their wait list and they will fill the order when new stock comes in..

I would rather let it just dribble down my leg as to walk into a Leslies, just to use their bathroom, much less actually buy from them...

Did you look at the new IntelliFlo3? That is a great pump...

Can be controled by Automation, or by an app. Comes with a display if you wanted one, or a relay card for external control of a SWCG or ???

It is the place I go to buy equipment for my pools, so I don't have much experience with other vendors.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you Jim!! Appreciate the time and effort to help!
At this point I would like to know if the VSF can be scheduled to be in high flow mode for the vacuum robot / skimmer operation, or if it will always default to "cruise control" and decide for itself if high flow is needed?
The heater bypass is a great suggestion, and will be part of my phase two plan adding the dedicated spa pump.
Again many thanks,
Tim (Dun)

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tim,

When you have an EasyTouch, it normally control the pump's speeds..

As an example... If you are just running the Pool, the pump speed might be 1500 RPM.. But, when you switch to the spa mode, the EasyTouch will tell the pump to run at say 3000 RPM. If you are in the Pool mode and running 1500 and then select the button to turn on your waterfall, then the pump will change speed to whatever you set for the waterfall to look the way you want.

Here is a sample pic of how the EasyTouch knows what speed to run based on which Circuit is on..

Set up page 4.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Apr 19, 2019

As a side note, when my current IntelliFlo dies, I will be replacing it with the new IntelliFlo3..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mas985]

Responses:
1. Old pump: Pentair Challenger, Motor PN 346201 ~ PMP CHII N1 2A
2. Six pool jets w approx 1" orifice. SPA orifice is 5/16"
3. Two inch PVC plumbing. Single 2" pipe returning water to the jets
4. Waterfalls are physically about 3'H x 4'W. One has two water outets and one has a single outlet. Each has their own return line from the manifold returning water to the pool.
5. Hayward Tristar has a bit better flow rating via their spec charts based on this rank amateurs interpretation. Leslie pool manager confirmed.

Show me the spec charts you are referring to because according to Energy Star published data of actual measured performance, the IntelliFlo and TriStar 950 have pretty much the same performance. In fact, the pump you are looking at is a bit more than the TriStar (99 GPM vs 97 GPM). The plumbing curve I used is Curve C which represents typical 2" plumbing.

Pool Pump Tools v028

docs.google.com

 

[Dunskit]

Tim,

When you have an EasyTouch, it normally control the pump's speeds..

As an example... If you are just running the Pool, the pump speed might be 1500 RPM.. But, when you switch to the spa mode, the EasyTouch will tell the pump to run at say 3000 RPM. If you are in the Pool mode and running 1500 and then select the button to turn on your waterfall, then the pump will change speed to whatever you set for the waterfall to look the way you want.

Here is a sample pic of how the EasyTouch knows what speed to run based on which Circuit is on..

Set up page 4.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Apr 19, 2019

As a side note, when my current IntelliFlo dies, I will be replacing it with the new IntelliFlo3..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Okay final confirmation before I click "order submit". Just dont want to order incorrectly. My Easy Touch will control the speed of the VSF overriding the pump controlling the flow, correct? I will simply need to set up the speed based on the circuit.
Thanks again Jim.
Tim

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tim,

Your EasyTouch will control any IntelliFlo pump, including the IntelliFlo3, just like I outlined above..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dunskit]

Tim,

Your EasyTouch will control any IntelliFlo pump, including the IntelliFlo3, just like I outlined above..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you Jim! Dont think I will ever be the expert to help members. The best I could do is sign up as a silver donation member in hopes it helps in a small way so this forum and people like you continue for years to come.
Thanks again, Tim

 

[Dunskit]

Show me the spec charts you are referring to because according to Energy Star published data of actual measured performance, the IntelliFlo and TriStar 950 have pretty much the same performance. In fact, the pump you are looking at is a bit more than the TriStar (99 GPM vs 97 GPM). The plumbing curve I used is Curve C which represents typical 2" plumbing.


View attachment 584849

Pool Pump Tools v028

docs.google.com

Wow great info, thank you!
I learned quite a bit....more than I thought I would when deciding to upgrade a pool pump, lol.
Cheers and again thanks,
Tim

 

[mas985]

Also, I would echo Jim's suggestion on staying away from SVRS pumps. They are nothing but trouble.

 

[Dunskit]

Ordered the Intelliflow3 VSF 3hp. Thanks All!!