3HP Variable Speed Pump - Barely any flow

[JD880]

Hello, I used to have a 1.5 HP single speed pump for my pool which recently died, I went and got a 3hp Variable Speed Pump but had some questions. Unless I run it 3200 RPM constantly, I barely get enough flow to get the water moving like my old 1.5 hp pump. My pool is about 32k gallons and I'll attach a labeled photo, I have a lot of underground 1.5" piping from the pool pump/filter room out to the various skimmers & returns. Is this what could be affecting it, having this much piping - only asking because I see people write that you can save electricity with these pumps by running at low speeds but I barely get a trickle at anything under 3200. I have a circupool SWG and constantly get a no flow light if I run it basically any lower. Don't know what to do here as I don't want to run this pump 24/7 like you are supposed to if its going to cost the same as the old 1.5hp.

 

[Jimrahbe]

JD,

We need to see several pics of your equipment pad. As well as any other above ground plumbing.

I have two rent house pools that both have 1.5" plumbing and they work great at 1200 or so RPM.

Do you have a heater???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Why do the suction lines go to a different point at the bottom of the picture then the returns go to on the right?

 

[JD880]

JD,

We need to see several pics of your equipment pad. As well as any other above ground plumbing.

I have two rent house pools that both have 1.5" plumbing and they work great at 1200 or so RPM.

Do you have a heater???

Thanks,

Jim R.

Here is pictures of my pool room and the only outdoor above ground section of plumbing - there used to be a heater there years ago but it was removed.

 

[JD880]

Why do the suction lines go to a different point at the bottom of the picture then the returns go to on the right?

They don't, its probably just the way I drew the photo. The 2 skimmer lines coming into the pool room then there is 1 return line that goes out underground, then comes above ground and splits into 3 return jets

 

[strategy400]

Something stuck in impeller?

 

[Jimrahbe]

JD,

At 3200 RPM, what is your filter pressure?

Is your pool water green or cloudy?

When was the last time the filter was opened and cleaned?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JD880]

JD,

At 3200 RPM, what is your filter pressure?

Is your pool water green or cloudy?

When was the last time the filter was opened and cleaned?

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hello, at 3200 RPM my filter is at 20psi. With my old 1.5hp pump the filter would be around 15psi. Pool water is clear. Filter backwashed & opened/cleaned before pump install. No changes, could I have blown an underground pipe somewhere by running this new variable speed at the max rpm since the 1.5" pipes can't handle the pressure?

 

[ajw22]

could I have blown an underground pipe somewhere by running this new variable speed at the max rpm since the 1.5" pipes can't handle the pressure?

Schedule 40 PVC can handle over 100 PSI. A pool pump cannot burst schedule 40 PVC.

 

[ajw22]

What model 3HP pump are we discussing?

20PSI is not unusual for high RPM with 1.5" pipes.

 

[Jimrahbe]

JD,

What happens when you put your MPV in Recirculate???

This by-passes the filter. I can understand your 3 returns being a little weak due to the plumbing configuration, but your cell should not be giving you low flow alerts.. Most SWCG's turn on at a pretty low flow..

Jim R.