wait 1 month after new pool surface for SWCG? And variable vs. single speed pump?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
K

kraezday

0
Silver Supporter
Mar 19, 2014
8
Houston, TX
Hi all, We are completely remodeling our pool, down to digging up and re-plumbing. I will start a post on the process so far asap. In the meanwhile I have two questions I haven't been able to find the answer to. We will be using all Pentair equipment (per builder, but I'm okay with that). I am insisting on a SWCG generator and he wants to use the Intellichlor IC40. We have gotten rid of the deep end and estimate we will be at about 15,000 gallons now.
So here are my questions: 1. Builder wants to use a 2hp single speed motor. He says we will push more water, faster, so we can run it less. Is this accurate, or should I say we want a variable speed pump?
2. Intellichlor's manual has a dire warning to wait one month after new plaster before using the SWCG. Should we plan to use bleach for a month? The new plaster will be Quartz.
 
Definitely get the Intelliflo VS. Do not get the one with SVRS. The basic version (011018) is fine but if you do not have automation you may want the version that has the rotatable control pad for ease of use.
Without automation you will need a timer for the SWCG. You do not want power to the SWCG when the pump is not running.

Also correct is no salt for the first 30 days. So use liquid chlorine and a CYA in the 30-50 ppm range.
 
The Intelliflo VS pump has a scheduler built in. You can do various run times at user adjustable RPM's. The timer for the SWCG is to be sure it only has power when the VS pump is scheduled to run.
 
K,

With a 2 HP single speed pump, you will pay more per month for electricity, than a will pay for a year using my 3 HP VS pump.

Unfortunately, your pool builder has no clue as to how a SWCG works... A SWCG produces the same amount of chlorine per hour no matter what the flow is, as long as it is above the minimum. So, if you have to run your SWCG for 8 hours to generate the chlorine you need.. it will take 8 hours no matter how big your pump is, or how much flow you have.

If you do not plan on automation, then your best bet is a 2-speed pump.. This will allow you to run on low speed and generate the chlorine you need and cost you about 75% less per hour. I would think that a 1 HP or 1.5 HP pump would be plenty.

If your old 1 HP pump worked and your Kreepy Krawler worked, then I see no reason your upgraded pool would not work just fine with a 1 HP 2-speed pump.. It would also mean your SWCG would not need a separate timer.. When your pump turned on, the SWCG would turn on.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
To expand on why you will want a VS pump over a single speed is the amount of time you will need to run the SWG to make enough chlorine each day. The SWG doesn't make more chlorine with more water flow, it is strickly based on time. You will spend a lot of money running the 2hp pump compared to running a VS pump on low speed. At low speed, around 1200 RPM, the cost will be around an 1/8th of the cost to run the VS pump compared to running the 2hp pump with the VS pumping about 1/2 the amount of water as the single speed pump.

The IC-40 will be a good size for your pool.
 
Jimrahbe said:
K,

With a 2 HP single speed pump, you will pay more per month for electricity, than a will pay for a year using my 3 HP VS pump.

Unfortunately, your pool builder has no clue as to how a SWCG works... A SWCG produces the same amount of chlorine per hour no matter what the flow is, as long as it is above the minimum. So, if you have to run your SWCG for 8 hours to generate the chlorine you need.. it will take 8 hours no matter how big your pump is, or how much flow you have.

If you do not plan on automation, then your best bet is a 2-speed pump.. This will allow you to run on low speed and generate the chlorine you need and cost you about 75% less per hour. I would think that a 1 HP or 1.5 HP pump would be plenty.

If your old 1 HP pump worked and your Kreepy Krawler worked, then I see no reason your upgraded pool would not work just fine with a 1 HP 2-speed pump.. It would also mean your SWCG would not need a separate timer.. When your pump turned on, the SWCG would turn on.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Hi Jim, I am obviously new posting! I completely forgot to mention that we have a 6 jet spa. Do you think a 1 1/2hp dual pump (Pentair Whisperflo) will have enough oomph for the jets? We were trying to save $ by not going with 2hp VS, but don't want to be disappointed with the spa.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
K,

You need to fix your signature to keep the confusion down... Just click on 'Settings' then 'Signature'...

The fact that you have a spa is just another reason to use a large VS pump.. This gives you the ability to run very slowly in the pool mode and fine tune the speed for your spa..

I have no way to tell if a 1.5 HP dual speed pump would work well in your spa or not. A lot depends on how everything is plumbed. It seems your pool builder thinks a 2 HP pump will work. In that case, a dual speed 2 HP would seem to be the answer. You could run it on low in the pool mode and on high in the spa mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Definitely get the EasyTouch automation with included intellichlor power supply and ScreenLogic and the Intelliflo pump.

Anything else really does not make sense.

You will need specific flow rates for circulation, heating and jets.

Without automation and a variable speed pump, you will be wasting a lot of energy and getting poor performance.

Also, the price of a 2 speed pump is not that much less than a variable speed pump as long as the contractor doesn't overcharge.

Many utilities have rebates for variable speed pumps. Pentair even had a rebate for a while. Example:

Pool Pumps

With a rebate, the price can be the same or lower for the variable speed pump as the two speed pump.

So here are my questions: 1. Builder wants to use a 2hp single speed motor. He says we will push more water, faster, so we can run it less. Is this accurate, or should I say we want a variable speed pump?
Click to expand...

This is not true. Running slower longer always costs less than running fewer hours faster.

For example: Running at 80 gpm for 4 hours uses a lot more total energy than running at 40 gpm for 8 hours, which costs a lot more than running at 20 gpm for 16 hours.

Each example moves the same amount of water through the system, but the faster you push it, the more friction it creates with the plumbing and equipment.

The best and most efficient way to operate is to use a variable speed pump to run at low speed until you need more flow, like when the heater turns on.

With automation, the pump can automatically increase the flow rate to match what the heater needs when it runs.

Without automation, the system will be difficult to control and very loud and will waste a lot of money and energy.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply