VS pump speed - how to determine?

[MichaelT20]

Hi all

I’ve read several people talk about how little their VS pump costs them. I noticed a significant spike in electrical cost when my new pool got installed 2 months ago.

Looking at my pool remote (sadly they gave me the aqua link pda version) I see that my pump in pool mode is running at 2750rpm at a cost of 1kw. It goes higher to around 3250 when in spa mode.

My pool is 21,500 gallons. I run the pump 12 hours a day.

Is this way too high? How do I know what a good speed is ? Just trial and error? If I decided to lower it what am I looking for - aside from my swg complaining about flow?

Thank you

 

[mknauss]

Way to high. Lower the rpm to 1500. See that the SWCG flow switch is satisfied. If so, monitor the skim efficiency. If good, try that speed for awhile.
You may be able to go lower.

 

[MichaelT20]

Cool thank you MK! now to figure out how to do that on this stupid pda thing lol.

 

[mknauss]

You might consider modifying the automation to the Wi-Fi version. I believe you can sell the PDA thing for about the cost of upgrading.

Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

Consider upgrading your Aqualink to iAqualink 3.0 so you can program and control your system with an app.

Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[MichaelT20]

Yea I have no idea what these guys did. I have the pda aqualink but can also control it with the app - I just cant do a lot of the configuration stuff in the app. Simple on and off and swg stuff I can. It’s some weird and probably stupid setup.

 

[ajw22]

Look under VSP Setup button.

Read Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading

 

[MichaelT20]

Thanks . PB texted back and said my heater won’t run under 2200 rpm so maybe that’s why he set it so high. Does that make sense?

I have a 399k btu Raypak gas heater

 

[mknauss]

Sure. But your automation should be able to raise the pump rpm when heat is called for. My Pentair Easytouch can.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks . PB texted back and said my heater won’t run under 2200 rpm so maybe that’s why he set it so high. Does that make sense?

I have a 399k btu Raypak gas heater

Your PB does not know how the Aqualink works.

Read the link I gave you. It explains how VSP Speed Setup works.

When the heater runs the pump speed is raised to the Pool Heat speed.

 

[MichaelT20]

Thanks. I noticed on the remote pda that there’s a pool heat option. I assume that’s what it’s for . My web interface looks different probably because I have the pda with the web kit rather than the Aqualink VS

I also don’t see my rpm on my status screen

But I gather I can control this with the remote so I’ll probably play with it a bit there and see what happens

PB said I’m welcome to change it but added “I wouldn’t recommend running the pump any lower than 1750. Even at that speed, you’ll probably have a non-existent spa spillover, and zero pressure reading on the filter.”

I guess I’ll try it at 1500 or 1750 and see what happens to my spillway and pressure gauge

 

[ajw22]

You should consider not always running your spillover and turning on dip switch 3 to enable SPILLOVER mode.

@PoolGate may be of help with the PDA and iAqualink.

 

[MichaelT20]

Oh that’d be interesting. I’m sure it would save me some muriatic . My ph goes up around 0.1-0.2 per day. Probably a combination of spillover and swg and new(ish still) plaster.

Would I be able to toggle the spillover via the app then? Right now the valve for the spa just doesn’t turn all the way closed when in pool mode.

 

[ajw22]

Oh that’d be interesting. I’m sure it would save me some muriatic . My ph goes up around 0.1-0.2 per day. Probably a combination of spillover and swg and new(ish still) plaster.

Would I be able to toggle the spillover via the app then? Right now the valve for the spa just doesn’t turn all the way closed when in pool mode.

Yup, all in the Wiki - Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading

You reset the cam in the return actuator to fully close.

 

[MichaelT20]

It’s a new pool so I’m a little gunshy on complex changes still but I’m pretty technical so might be fun to play with

 

[ajw22]

It’s your pool to play with.

Your builder did not set your system up properly for you.

 

[MichaelT20]

Gotcha thanks that’s good to know! And not entirely surprising.

Looks like my lights are on number 3 - I’ll do some reading

 

[ajw22]

Easy to move the light relay wire and plug it into AUX7 to free up AUX3.

 

[MichaelT20]

Cool thank you

 

[MichaelT20]

Easy to move the light relay wire and plug it into AUX7 to free up AUX3.

Sorry one more question. If I set this up presumably that means the water in the spa is getting zero circulation right? So what do you have - a schedule set to turn on the spa overflow a couple hours a day to ensure it circulates a bit in there?

Just curious. I started thinking about this and the thought popped into my head