Variable Speed Pump RPMs

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R

richmgreen

LifeTime Supporter
May 26, 2010
305
Central Connecticut
Pool Size
26700
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-45
I’m looking at changing to a VS pump. (Hayward or Pentair most likely). I have a single speed 1 1/2hp Hayward Super Pump now. The low end RPM for the Hayward VS is 600 RPM. Couldn’t find that info for the other brands/types. Is 600 low enough? Should I consider a pump with ability to start lower ? Although, I’m guessing that most of the time I will need to run higher than the 600. My current setup gets only 48 gpm based on an inline meter.

Thanks
Rich
 
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VS pumps typically become very inefficient at RPM lower than 1000. Typical settings, depending on plumbing, heater, SWCG, etc, are to set between 1200 and 1500 rpm for a 3hp VS pump or 1700+ rpm for a lesser hp VS pump.
 
I’m still debating over whether to get the 3hp for intelliflo or the Hayward Super pump VS 1.65hp. Obviously more $$ for the 3hp and I’d have change some of the plumbing to fit the 3hp pump from my single speed super pump. Question is …. Is it worth it ?
 
The 3 hp VS pump will take less electricity and run quieter than the 1.65 hp VS pump to move the same amount of water.

So depends.
 
1 1/2 pipe is no issue. Not sure why you are limited, but a VS pump is a variable HP pump. You run it at the rpm needed to close the flow switch on the SWCG and satisfy the heat pump. Likely much less than 48 gpm.
 
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Rich,

I have two rent house pools that have 1.5" plumbing and 3 HP IntelliFlo pumps.

You can set the max speed, but that is something that I have not done and have had no issues.

That said, I run the pump 24/7, mostly at 1200 RPM and it costs me less than $20 bucks a month.

At that speed I have a filter pressure of about 4 or 5 lbs. This is with a 48 Sq. Ft. DE filter. At my house, and a large cartridge filter, my pressure is about 1 lb.

There is no worry about blowing up the plumbing. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
I have the Tristar VS900 and run it at 35% 99% of the time 24/7 and it uses 87W and produce's 23gpm on 2" pipe. I have not dived deep enough to see if that's enough for my SWG over 24hrs
 
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The Pentair Intelliflo (3hp) and Hayward Tristar 900 or 950 (2.7hp) are comparable.

When needing to generate chlorine with your SWG, you need to keep the SWG happy - with a clean filter, find the minimum rpm that closes the SWG flow switch and add 100-200 rpm to that (accounts for filter getting dirty). Everyone plumbing setup is different - xx rpm on one system might be yy rpm on another to achieve the same result (closing the SWG flow switch in this case). I find it better to run my pump at a given rpm rather than a given percentage.

As Marty stated, 1 1/2" pipe size is no issue and the 3hp (or 2.7 hp) will be quieter and use less electricity than a lesser hp pump.
Like Jim, I run my pump 24/7 for less than $20/month ($0.11 per kwh).
 
Thanks. Here in CT our electric rate is $.25 per kwh. I’m need someway to cut that cost!

The local pool store that would do the repair said that the Pentair intelliflo will be much more costly to fix than the Hayward super pump vs. But, he said they are both good units. On the super pump, I noticed you can remove the control and install it somewhere else … like the pool house (shed) lol. Can you do that with Pentair intelliflo or does it run off an app ? I don’t want to add costly automation, but like controlling from my phone or other location then bending over the pump.
 

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richmgreen said:
Can you do that with Pentair intelliflo or does it run off an app ? I don’t want to add costly automation, but like controlling from my phone or other location then bending over the pump.
Click to expand...
The IntelliFlo3 VSF pump is fully compatible with the Pentair Home app. It has its own Bluetooth or wireless connection. No separate automation system is needed.
The Pentair Home app allows you to program and operate the pump from your smartphone.

As indicated by others. Running the higher Hp pump at lower speed will be quieter and more efficient on energy consumption. I would not try to anticipate repair costs for either as both have good reliability. Look at the warranty.
 
Rich,

I currently have three IntelliFlo pumps running at three pools. They all have been running 24/7 since they were installed. One is over 10 years old, the other two are about 8 years old. They work today just like they did when they were new.

When I installed the one at my house, I had to actually touch it, to make sure it was running at 1,200 RPM. :mrgreen:

Technically, you can repair a VS pump, but it would normally be about half the cost of a new pump, so it often does not make sense. Keep in mind the things like start or run capacitors, that often go bad on single speed pumps, do not exist on VS pumps.

I have no idea if my pumps will last another 10 years or all go bad tomorrow, but when they do go bad, they will be replaced by another IntelliFlo pump.

When that happens, the first one I plan on looking at will be the new IntelliFlo3.


Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Don't confuse the Hayward Tristar with the Hayward Super Pump.
The Hayward Tristar 900 or 950 are comparable to the Pentair Intelliflo.
Both brands are good. Some prefer one over the other. Kind of like one may prefer Chevy over Ford.

Any variable speed pump will cost more initially and to fix than a single speed pump.
New regs require a VS pump to be installed when replacing a single pump. Replacing just the motor on a single speed pump is still accepted.

At $0.25 per kwh, your return ROI is more than 2x quicker than mine.
If you could reduce your pump electrical cost by at least 75% (most likely more), what would your break even point be time wise (how many months)?
 
Here if CT the pump would be active from mid May to Early September. Short season here in CT. I run the single speed about 14 hrs per day. I’m assuming I would need to run the VS pump at lower RPM 24/7.
 
Initially I was looking to get the intelliflo3 pump. Costs seem to be $1900 or more and most dealers have in CT area do not carry them. Online sales carry only a 60 day parts warranty from Pentair. I assume most people are not buying these if so scarce. Should I be looking at an intelliflo vs instead of the intelliflo3? From others in the forum, they suggest Pentair over Hayward Super Pump VS. I like the ability to adjust via the app with the intelliflo3. But only option seems to buy online, but 60 day warranty is ridiculous.
 
richmgreen said:
Here if CT the pump would be active from mid May to Early September. Short season here in CT. I run the single speed about 14 hrs per day. I’m assuming I would need to run the VS pump at lower RPM 24/7.
Click to expand...
You would run your VS pump at the speed it takes to activate the flow switch and then the duration would be based on the amount of chlorine that needs to be produced For your SWCG.
Are you familiar with PoolMath app which can help determine the duration and SWCG setting needed to produce the desired chlorine. You may find it is better to go longer than 14 hrs at a lower SWCG setting.
 
richmgreen said:
Initially I was looking to get the intelliflo3 pump. Costs seem to be $1900 or more and most dealers have in CT area do not carry them. Online sales carry only a 60 day parts warranty from Pentair. I assume most people are not buying these if so scarce. Should I be looking at an intelliflo vs instead of the intelliflo3? From others in the forum, they suggest Pentair over Hayward Super Pump VS. I like the ability to adjust via the app with the intelliflo3. But only option seems to buy online, but 60 day warranty is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
What IntelliFlo models can your “dealer” get?

011056 is as good as the 011075/011076 pumps.

Polytec Pools has IntelliFlo3 pump in stock…


I think you can assume many people are buying the pumps which is why they are scarce. New pool building + pool equipment damaged by last years Florida hurricane + soutrhern winter freeze damage have increased demand for pool equipment beyond what the manufacturers supply chain can deliver.

You can buy the pump from an authorized Pentair dealer like Polytec Pools and have it “professionally installed” to get Pentair warranty coverage. Read the Pentair warranty online. Professional installation has a liberal definition and can be an electrician, plumber, or handyman who invoices you.

Pentair IntelliFlo Pumps - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
richmgreen said:
The Pentair dealers here in CT say they don’t carry the intelliflo3 because not a lot of demand here for what they termed a “high end” pump. ???
Click to expand...
They can order it from their Pentair distributor. Dealers do not stock all equipment. It sounds like they are too lazy to get one for you and make a few $s.
 
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