2 pumps one intake

[ih8chs]

I Have an extra pump and got to thinking, can I run two pumps on one supply line? The main line pulls from both the skimmer and 2 main drains the pipe size is 2 inch. Can I tee into this under the ground and feed another pump? I would then use this pump to feed the water features and it would be unfiltered. the pumps are 3 hp and 1.65 hp. I would put a check valve on the pump for water features so it wouldn't feed in air when it was not in use.

thanks for any feed back

 

[mas985]

Welcome to the forum!

You can feed two pumps off the same suction but that can cause some issues especially since the the suction line is only 2" pipe. The combined flow through that pipe with both pumps on will generate an excessive amount of head loss and could potentially cause one of the pumps to cavitate so I would not recommend do that.

But with a 3 HP pump, assuming it is a VS pump, why would you need a second pump at all?

 

[ih8chs]

I wasn't very bright and bought the 1.65 VS first, later upgraded to the 3 hp VS. I just hate to have a 700 dollar pump sitting around and want to find some use for the thing.

Thanks for your answer!

 

[mas985]

It would probably be pretty easy to sell the second pump. What is the make & model number?

 

[ih8chs]

It's a Hayward SP2303VSP Maxflow The pump is fantastic and I couldn't be happier with it. I basically upgraded to the 3 hp Hayward since the one I replaced as 3 hp and I didn't pay attention when ordering. You're correct and I can probably sell on craigslist or one of those sites. I wasn't looking forward to running another wire for power anyway ​

 

[mas985]

So is the 3 HP the EcoStar? Many on the forum have had issues with the EcoStar's drive failing so you may want to keep the MaxFlo as a backup.

I basically upgraded to the 3 hp Hayward since the one I replaced as 3 hp and I didn't pay attention when ordering.

That isn't always necessary. Very few pools need that high of a HP pump. Do you have a spa or any other high flow rate requirement? Was the MaxFlo not working properly or not powerful enough?

 

[ih8chs]

I haven't bought anything yet, I was looking at the SP32950VSP the tri star VS. Would you recommend this pump? I was also looking at the Pentair pumps, however I noticed lots of negative feedback and I already have the remote mounting bracket for the control panel for the Hayward pump so it would be an easy swap. You are absolutely correct, I have a want the jets to be more powerful. I have little room on my pad so it is hard to add a spa booster. What pump rated around 3 hp would yo suggest ?

Thanks for all the help !

 

[mas985]

Is this pump going to be used as a stand alone pump or controlled through an automatic controller?

One thing we like to see on the forum is for everyone to fill out their signature with their equipment so it is much easier to help:

Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post

 

[ih8chs]

Stand alone pump, I have a waterfall and I branched off that 2 inch line and added some jets that shoot up and over into the pool, I replaced the single speed pump a while back that was a 3 hp. I didn't do my homework and thats how I ended up with the 1.65. I really like the pump and it has worked fantastic, the spa jets are just not as strong as I would like and the water features while the spa fountain is on demands a lot of water. I just had the pool re plastered a month ago so I want to make sure I turn the water frequently enough to keep the chemistry correct in the north Texas summer.

I have had good success with the hayward products, however the Pentair is closer in size to the MaxFlo pump so that would make the change over quicker. Ideally they would make a 3 hp Maxflo pump but I can't find one

Tring to get my sig to display...…

25K plaster, MaxFlo SP2303VSP standalone control unit, Polaris booster pump w/380 vacuum, 420 sq feet hayward DE filter, Hayward H400FDN H-Series 400,000-BTU Natural Gas​

 

[mas985]

The Pentair SuperFlo VS is not much bigger than the MaxFlo so I wouldn't bother with that one. If interested in Pentair, I would go with the Inteliflo or for Hayward, the TriStar VS that you posted above. When replacing pumps for water features/jets, you want to match the maximum RPM head curve to what you had before if you want the same performance.

But there may some modifications that you could make to the spa jets to make the jets more powerful although you did mention other water features that you run with the spa? Can you describe both the spa jets and other water features in more detail (sizes and numbers of jets)? Sometimes, you can change out the jet so the feature/jet uses less water.