What variable speed pump should I buy?

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dobe12
I'm new here
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Posts: 6
Joined: Wed 18 Nov, 2020 17:45
My Pool: AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)
Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP
Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK
Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch
From pump to closest end of pool is 22'
Pump is same elevation as pool
Plumbing size is 2"

What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby dobe12 » Wed 18 Nov, 2020 17:49

Hi:

I have a 25,000 gallon pool with a small (3 person) spa. I currently have an old 1.5 HP single speed pump. To save on my electric bill I'm considering buying ($699) a Pentair 1.5 HP VS 342001. 

One of my friends seems to think a 2.0 with a Full head would be better, but those pumps seem to be at least twice as expensive. The Pentair is a medium head. 

Someone told me I might need to run the Pentair at full speed to match my current pump. If true that would negate the purpose of my switch to VS. 

What would you suggest?

Thanks!


Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby Denniswiseman » Thu 19 Nov, 2020 02:49

FWIW Slower filtration is best, so if the 1.5 HP is fine for your current all round use go for the 1.5 HP and run at a slower filtration, using the full speed for mixing chemicals and backwashing
Teapot
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 1337
Joined: Tue 17 Oct, 2017 10:52
My Pool: 12 x 24 (45m3) liner pool, Triton TR60 filter with AFM glass media (Activate) and variable speed pump running 0.08HP
Location: UK

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby Teapot » Sat 21 Nov, 2020 05:04

dobe12, need to know a lot more about your setup to be able to advise, size of filter, model of filter, size of plumbing, distance from the pad to the pool, elevation of pad in respect to the waterline. Old single speed pumps were powerful enough (actually too powerful in most cases) so that water arrived no matter how bad the plumbing job!
To take full advantage of a variable speed pump and therefore the big savings in electrical cost a bit more information is needed hence the questions above.

I would also ask if there is anything wrong with your current pump? You could add a variable speed drive that controls the electricity to the pump for a bit less, probably 50% of the cost of a new pump.
dobe12
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed 18 Nov, 2020 17:45
My Pool: AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)
Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP
Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK
Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch
From pump to closest end of pool is 22'
Pump is same elevation as pool
Plumbing size is 2"

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby dobe12 » Mon 30 Nov, 2020 11:43

Hi Teapot and anyone else that can help : 

Teapot, thanks for your response. I appreciate it! 

I know almost nothing about pools but here are answers to your questions. 

AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)

Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP

Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK

Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch

From pump to closest end of pool is 22' 
Pump is same elevation as pool
Plumbing size is 2"

Nothing wrong with the current pump except it's very old. I tried to find the age but couldn't find info on the internet. The internet did say similar pumps rated 1.5 HP are Full rated motors so the actual total HP is 2.25. Not sure if that applies to my pump. 

Also, not only do I want to save on my electric bill, I was hoping a variable pump, properly used, along with my new glass filter would help avoid the black algae I get every Spring. It lasts about 6 weeks or more. My pool guy says he does what he can, with chemicals, but says I have too many flowering trees and vines in my yard. 

Also, I've been told a variable pump, properly set, and my new glass filter, back washed weekly, won't help with the black algae issue! 

Do you agree?
 
I really look forward to your input!  
Thanks. Doug
Denniswiseman
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue 06 Sep, 2011 05:48
My Pool: 10k inground fibreglass, Telescopic Cover, Hayward Powerline pump, Quality filter with glass media, 27kw output heat pump, K-2006C test kit
Location: United Kingdom

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby Denniswiseman » Mon 30 Nov, 2020 17:37

Don't look to a pump and filter to cure your algae problem
How do you chlorinate
Let's have your numbers (CYA is very important)
FC:
TC:
pH:
TA:
CH:
CYA:
dobe12
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed 18 Nov, 2020 17:45
My Pool: AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)
Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP
Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK
Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch
From pump to closest end of pool is 22'
Pump is same elevation as pool
Plumbing size is 2"

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby dobe12 » Mon 30 Nov, 2020 18:19

My pool looks great except in the Spring when it develops black algae that lasts about 6 weeks. My pool guy says he does everything he can with chemicals. From what you guys are saying it sounds like he's doing something wrong. As I said he blames all my flowering plants. Also, throughout the summer there's thin layers of algae on all the steps but the pool water is clear.

I would still like to know what variable speed pump you all recommend, based on the information about my pool. I still want to save on energy bills.
Thanks.
Teapot
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 1337
Joined: Tue 17 Oct, 2017 10:52
My Pool: 12 x 24 (45m3) liner pool, Triton TR60 filter with AFM glass media (Activate) and variable speed pump running 0.08HP
Location: UK

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby Teapot » Mon 30 Nov, 2020 19:04

Bed time here, answer you tomorrow
dobe12
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed 18 Nov, 2020 17:45
My Pool: AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)
Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP
Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK
Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch
From pump to closest end of pool is 22'
Pump is same elevation as pool
Plumbing size is 2"

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby dobe12 » Tue 01 Dec, 2020 13:43

Sounds good!
Teapot
Pool Industry Leader
Pool Industry Leader
Posts: 1337
Joined: Tue 17 Oct, 2017 10:52
My Pool: 12 x 24 (45m3) liner pool, Triton TR60 filter with AFM glass media (Activate) and variable speed pump running 0.08HP
Location: UK

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby Teapot » Wed 09 Dec, 2020 13:55

Black algae isnt an algae its a bacteria, cyanobacteria.
To try and kill it you would need a high concentration of chlorine and possibly chlorine dioxide but its very difficult to kill.
Yes your old pump is too powerful for most speed controllers so replacement with a variable speed version is the best option. Personally I would also add another filter to run the 2 together. That will allow a better higher flow at far less electricity and pump speed. The money spent on the extra filter would be recouped easily by the saving in electricity. Is your filter a side mounted valve or top mounted?
dobe12
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed 18 Nov, 2020 17:45
My Pool: AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)
Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP
Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK
Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch
From pump to closest end of pool is 22'
Pump is same elevation as pool
Plumbing size is 2"

Re: What variable speed pump should I buy?

Postby dobe12 » Thu 10 Dec, 2020 14:09

Hi Teapot:

Sorry for the slow response but I'm not receiving email notifications when an answer is posted, even though I have it turned on in settings. 

So it sounds like you agree that adding a variable speed pump would save on my electric bill but wouldn't help ,in any way, with my Spring Black Algae problem. 

My Hayward Glass filter has a top mounted valve.

Besides saving on electricity is there any other benefits from running 2 pumps? 

My original question was whether replacing my old pump with a ($699) Pentair 1.5 HP VS 342001 Amazon.com : Pentair SuperFlo VS Variable Speed Pool Pump, 342001 [https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-342001-SuperFlo-Variable-Horsepower/dp/B00PKHX2BM][/url] would work given all the facts about my pool. I've been told it might not work well with the 3 jets in the spa and that I might not save on electricity because it might need to be run a full speed. 

AGP 25,000 gallons 31' x 20' plus Spa 8' x 5.5' (3 jets)

Polaris 280; Booster Sweep Pump .75 HP

Hayward (A.0. Smith) Single Speed Pump 1.5 HP RPM 3450 SF: 1.33 FR: 56JPH: 1 Type: UAK

Hayward W3S270T Pro-Series Glass Filter, 27-Inch

From pump to closest end of pool is 22' 

Pump is same elevation as pool

Plumbing size is 2"
Thank you for your time!

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