Blue Torrent, Splash Pump Review

[lshonda310]

I have seen some talk on here about the 1.5 HP VS Blue Torrent, AKA Splash pool pumps.
I bought one ($400 on Amazon) and have had it running for about 3 weeks now and have not had any troubles with it.
I will say this right away- I do not recommend it for an inground pool. The reason is, all least my pump, I cannot get it to do a priming speed when it first starts up. Which isn't a big deal for me since the pump is below water level and I never lose prime.
With my SWCG I run the pump at 1500 rpm, which gives me right at 20 gpm. When I vacuum I increase the speed to 2500, which gives me around 35 gpm, and good suction for my vacuum. At full rpm (3450) the flow meter shows around 50 gpm. Right now I have is set to run from 10 am to 10 pm everyday at 1500 rpm, with my SWCG set at 40%, I might reduce the run time in the future, but for now it is working great!
Would I buy this pump again? For my application I would say yes. The big question is whether the Pentair 1.5 HP VS pump is worth the extra $200 to $250, you would need to decide that for yourself.
Hope this helps anyone looking to purchase this pump.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:


A quick look at the operating manual for the pump you have says their is a Priming section in the menu. Check that out.

Thank you for the review.

 

[lshonda310]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:


A quick look at the operating manual for the pump you have says their is a Priming section in the menu. Check that out.

Thank you for the review.

I have gone all through the manual, and the menu on the pump panel doesn't have a priming option
It also states in manual that in schedule mode the pump can still be ran manually, but the only thing that will turn on in schedule mode is the quick clean button.

In reality it has 8 schedules that can be set, so you could schedule it to come on at a higher rpm for a few minutes, and then start the next schedule to run at your lower rpm.

If anyone else has a pump like this, please tell us your experience with it.

 

[Rda3rd]

I have that pump and have had great success. Priming is a problem but I posted the way to prine it last month. Its impeller has a low suction value quotient but you can still get it primed manually.

1. Close suction valve...fill basket with water until overflowing...place cover on quickly.
2. Open up discharge all the way.
3. Go to menu and scroll down to priming.
Start pump in priming mode and immediately open suction valve.
4. Count to 10, close suction valve, turn off pump.
5. Fill basket with water again and repeat.
6. Between 5 and 10 repeats, water should begin rushing in.

 

[Billgavin]

I have a blue torrent variable speed pump too. Bought last september and worked great until l had a heavy rain and it blew both fuse and circuit breaker. Have had no luck contracting Blue Torrent or coverpumpwarehouse. Left voicemail no luck. Ebay sent email no reply. Pump work great until it crapped out. Seems l am out $299 for 1 year of pump. Anybody have any luck getting a responce from the seller or mfg of this pump?

 

[PoolguyinCT]

I could by a trailer load of those BT VS pumps for $146.00 each.. I won’t

 

[lunchbox]

I have contacted BT twice now by e-mail at [email protected]. They keep answering my questions

 

[waterfeelsgreat]

I bought this pump 2 years ago thinking I would replace my old Hayward (8 years old) which was giving me a few problems but not dead or locked by no means. First issue, I NEVER was able to get the BT to prime properly. Opened the pool yesterday and during filling, turned the pump on for a quick check and was met with the disheartening humming of a locked motor. Thinking there may be just a little corrosion needing to be spun out, I tried to turn the main shaft and it was locked up tighter than a 49 Ford. I went ahead and spent the money to buy a new Hayward and kept the old Hayward as a spare. Sorry but I can't reccomend the Blue Torrent product just to save a few buvks.