Need to run VS pump at full speed

[Woody007]

C,

Using your numbers, it costs you about $5 a day to run your pump for 8 hours.

I can run my pump 24/7, at 1200 RPM, for less than 66 cents per day.

It is not a requirement to run 24/7, it is just something that works well for me and that I like to do. I like that my pool is constantly be skimmed and since I have a SWCG, I like making a little chlorine all the time.

I certainly would not recommend running 24/7 with a single speed pump.

Also, my VS pump is about 8 years old and is not near energy efficient as the new ones. My guess is that I could run a new VS IntelliFlo for less than 33 cents a day.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I've been thinking about VS for a while. Is there ever a situation where the VS pump has to be run at full speed all the time in order to produce same results as single speed? My pool is 20yrs old, and seems to be plumbed ok, but I have no idea if a VS would handle the water flow at lower speeds. I do have SWCG and heater. From my limited experience, VS at full speed is louder that my SS. If I would have to run the VS full speed all the time, then the noise would be an issue.
Hope that my question makes sense.

 

[wireform]

Woody
There's no reason your pool wouldn't handle the vs pump from my limited knowledge of what you have. You'd run it low rpm just enough plus 200 rpm to satisfy the heater and or the SWCG. If you have automation then we need to see what you have but there's always something that'll work. Did you have a robot or some sort of cleaner running off a side port in the pool then you could program it or raise the rpm for that time slot. No, they're not louder then a single speed but the beauty of them is that it works well for the filtration even at lower speeds making it quieter and very efficient $ on the electric end. Is your current pump a 220 or 110 volt setup?

 

[Texas Splash]

There is no need to run your pump at full speed all the time, especially with a VSP. That's the whole point of having one. Even my 2-speed is on low 24/7. As long as the SWG's flow switch and heater flow rate is adequate to support those, you are fine. The only time you might need a higher rpm is if it supports a cleaner or once a day for a few minutes to purge air out of the system. Other than that, it can be on low, somewhere around 1,300 - 1,400 rpm should be fine.

 

[HermanTX]

Do you have minimum 1.5" plumbing to or from your pool and at the equipment pad? If you have no adverse restrictions or very long distances from your equipment pad to your pool then a VS pump should work fine and not be required to run at full speed. It is ideal for use with a SWCG.

 

[Woody007]

Thanks for the quick responses. To answer some of the questions:
- pump is 220 1.5hp sf 1.1 Century motor. Challenger Pac Fab wet end.
- I do have a booster pump too, but I turn it on manually
- pipe is either 1.5" or maybe 2"
- equipment pad is ~25' from center drain. Maybe 35/40' from furthest skimmer
My SWCG and heater are on the same timer as pump.
From what I've read, the VS pump controller has switched line voltage outputs for those pieces of equipment, right?
I'd wire it up so the VS has power all the time, and it would then provide switched power to equipment at certain RPM/flow?

I was thinking of getting just a motor and keeping the wet end. Shouldn't be a problem with that?

Century (A.O. Smith) 1.65 HP Motor, V-Green, Square Flange 48Y, Variable Speed - Model ECM16SQU - INYOPools.com

V-Green 1.65 HP Square Flange 48Y Variable Speed Motor - ECM16SQU

www.inyopools.com

 

[Darin]

Sounds like you may have a Challenger/Pac Fab pump. I have one and it is very good as well as 20 years old. I updated it 5 years ago to a VS motor. Easy to rebuild with seals and o-rings.

 

[Woody007]

Sounds like you may have a Challenger/Pac Fab pump. I have one and it is very good as well as 20 years old. I updated it 5 years ago to a VS motor. Easy to rebuild with seals and o-rings.

That's the one. I couldn't think of the name. Thanks
Does the motor I linked sound like it would work?

 

[Darin]

The HP is correct, make sure it is the correct frame. Call the inyo guys. if you cant read your motor plate for frame size.

 

[HermanTX]

From what I've read, the VS pump controller has switched line voltage outputs for those pieces of equipment, right?
I'd wire it up so the VS has power all the time, and it would then provide switched power to equipment at certain RPM/flow?

You need to discuss that with the INYO rep when you purchase the pump. You are correct you want to have the VS pump on line power full time. The question is really does the motor you purchasing be able to turn on/off your SWCG and Heater based on pump being on or off, which is a key safety requirement.

 

[1poolman1]

I've been thinking about VS for a while. Is there ever a situation where the VS pump has to be run at full speed all the time in order to produce same results as single speed? My pool is 20yrs old, and seems to be plumbed ok, but I have no idea if a VS would handle the water flow at lower speeds. I do have SWCG and heater. From my limited experience, VS at full speed is louder that my SS. If I would have to run the VS full speed all the time, then the noise would be an issue.
Hope that my question makes sense.

Only if you have a need for the flow full speed will provide, which would seldom happen if ever. Even then, it would probably be too much flow. Most pools with a VSP are retro-fit installations. Until recently, most VSP were only available in larger horsepowers, able to move more water than most pool plumbing is able to handle efficiently. Too many are set up to run at too high a speed to take advantage of what makes them efficient. That inefficiency results in a lot of noise.