I think my pump is too big and my filter too small

[Smurfy]

I'm totally new to pools and this forum has been a great education! Thank you.

From the reading I've done thus far it sounds like my pump is WAY TOO Big and my filter undersized. Everything is used and the previous owner inherited it unopened for the season when he bought the house. Therefore, I have only observable information about the age of anything. I wanted to get a back up cartridge filter, a couple new o-rings and a new drain valve but then thought I may be better off just putting that money into a new setup.

I gather I should be looking for a .5hp two speed pump. Sound right?
I'm not sure about the filter yet. I've been doing so much reading and thought I should just ask instead of trying to figure it out on my own.

 

[Zrock]

I can't seem to see your whole sig on tapatalk but I do see you have a 1.5hp pump... u do not want to go smaller.. pump will have to run way more to do the same job. My old cartrage style pumps had to run 2 at 24/7 just to keep the pool somewhat clean. Now with my sandfilter and new pump 2 hrs a day and it's 10 times cleaner

 

[jblizzle]

I disagree that you should not go smaller than 1.5hp. I have a 1hp on my larger pool.

Many members like the powerflo matrix, 1hp, 2 speed. But if your current pump is working, not much reason to replace it. You could put a 2 speed motor on your existing pump, even put a smaller impeller on it with smaller motor.

For your pool size I would typically recommend a minimum of a 200 square foot cartridge filter. Although your season is shorter so you could get by with something a little smaller just requiring more frequent cleanings.

 

[Teald024]

Smutty, first Welcome to TFP!

I think your biggest "issue" is that you have a single speed pump. Obviously that means you're always running at that speed whenever your pump is running, consuming a higher than necessary amount of power.

You'll probably find that a 1hp - 2 speed pump is much better efficiency wise since you can drop it down to the low speed for most of your filtration and skimming needs. It will probably take less than two seasons of use to get your money back just from the electricity savings alone.
A variable speed pump is probably overkill for your AGP without a saltwater system.

Your filter needs is really based on how much stuff you get in your pool that the filter has to deal with. Don't change it out unless you see yourself having issues with it. You can take the cartridge out and wash it off with a hose and put the cartridge back in. A decent cartridge should last for a couple of seasons at least.
I guess knowing the age of your equipment could be a deciding factor on whether you just decide to upgrade it all or use as is.

 

[Smurfy]

on the 1hp, dual speed, Matrix...I'm having trouble locating the actual amps used in high and low and the respective gpms. I could just be a little slow on the uptake.

I'm definitely willing to invest upfront to save long term. it shouldn't be hard to calculate the payback time when I know the amps.

 

[Joshii]

Like others have said, I agree the pump is over sized. The filter is probably ok.

Since you are new to pools, I would suggest keeping your equipment as is for a while until you get comfortable. A season or two I would say. Then think about upgrades / swapouts.

As for your pump, if it works fine, then leave everything alone. It won't break your filter or anything. If you need to slow down the flow rate, add some restriction to the flow after the pump. If you have a valve, close it half way. Maybe put in smaller eyeballs in your returns to restrict flow. Pressure side though (after pump), not suction side (before pump).

 

[Smurfy]

hadn't thought of restriction the flow, good suggestion. I'm more concerned about the wasted electricity since I'm not aware of how I can reduce the amp load without swapping out the motor.

 

[Zrock]

Restrictions Flow will also increase amp draw

 

[Joshii]

Oddly enough, restricting flow will decrease amp draw!

As for wasted electricity - if that is your primary concern, as opposed to harm to the system, etc, then that's your call. Certainly a smaller pump, and definitely a 2-speed at the least, will save you monthly $$.

 

[Teald024]

on the 1hp, dual speed, Matrix...I'm having trouble locating the actual amps used in high and low and the respective gpms. I could just be a little slow on the uptake.

I'm definitely willing to invest upfront to save long term. it shouldn't be hard to calculate the payback time when I know the amps.

The figures are not obviously published, but if you do some digging you can find them.

The 1 hp 2-spd, motor for the Matrix pump is the AO Smith Flex 48 motor. The nameplate full load amps @ 120V are 10.8A / 2.8A (HS/LS) or 1300 Watts / 340 Watts. That said, you wont pull those except the instant at startup. While running, it will be much less, maybe half of that nameplate rating. The motor provides the power that the impeller needs, nothing more.

Flow of the PowerFlo Matrix 1hp at HS varies with the head, but you can assume around 50gpm.
HS is at 3450 rpm and LS is at 1725rpm. The for low speed flow is cut in about 1/2, but the power drops by about 1/4. This should get you close enough.


To put this in perspective, I have an oversized 2hp PowerFlo Matrix motor/pump. At 120V, on HS is pulls abot 1200 Watts, and on LS is pulls about 225 Watts. No where near the nameplate rating. I have no idea what the flow rate is. It would be fun to know, but it really doesn't matter. My pool is TFP clean. I run it on LS for about 12 hrs a day (which is far to long, but my wife wants it running while she's home with the kids & swimming, I stopped fighting to save the extra $ a day). It only goes on HS when I'm adding chemicals for 2 minutes and when I run my vacuum.

 

[Smurfy]

thank you Teald024! fantastic information. These numbers will certainly help me get close to estimating the operating costs savings of a new setup vs my existing one. There are a handful of large filters on craigslist that may create some inexpensive options to pair with a pump.