New owner - pump too big?

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nicktf

Member
Aug 9, 2022
12
Houston, TX
So I'm the new owner of an IG Gunite, SWG, 8000 gallon pool/spa, with a Century B2855 2.2HP filter pump and an accordingly massive electrical bill. The previous owner had the filter (Swimclear 325) running 24/7, I've already cut that to 10 hours a day and seen a corresponding drop in my electrical bill (and Kw/h rates are not good right now in Houston). This pump is single speed and only runs the filter - there is a separate spa pump.

To me, this pump seems way too large (and power hungry) for a pool of this size - am I correct, and can anyone suggest an alternative?

My test kit will be here imminently, so I can't tell how how much FC I have right now - I enjoyed maintaining a spa at my last house, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the chemistry of things, and I appreciate that I will have to experiment with SWG % and flow rates in the near future.
 

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www.troublefreepool.com

Determine Pump Run Time

To figure out how many hours you need to run your pump, you need to know how fast your pump works. You can find this here.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Or get a VS pump that can run your SWG at lower RPM and flows…

Variable_Speed_Pump_Electrical_Costs.jpg
 
You can certainly do with a smaller pump. The thing that needs matching to pump size is the filter. Your pictures don't show that or the pump model, but most any 2.5 hp pump will be capable of pushing well over 100 gallons per minute through normal 2 inch plumbing, which it looks like you have. That's very heavy flow. Way more than needed. It will turn over the volume of the pool in 80 minutes! That's crazy fast. Most sand and DE filters can't handle anything like it. A cartridge filter is the only option I'm aware of.

Strongly consider a VSP. You'll be able to run it at the minimum flow needed to keep your SWG on, a few hundred watts most of the time. The data tag on you pump says it's pulling about 2,500. Yikes. Your bills _will_ go down. As a bonus, the pump will be almost silent.
 
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Can he retro fit a V green to his existing pump with the proper impeller ? Pump body looks like Tristar...very common and robust. No plumbing changes would be required.
 
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Thank you everybody! Wow, great response - I truly appreciate it - It sounds like I get the V-Green 2.7 pump (and the Tune Up kit), fit it to my existing impeller and look forward to greatly reduced noise and electricity bills. Two more questions...would there be any point to getting the complete Tristar VSP for an extra $500, or does my impeller have life left in it? Also, my controller is a Goldline PL-PS-8 - I know it can drive a vari-speed pump, so I presume that will be OK...?
 
You should add your automation controller to your signature as that adds another dimension to your question. You probably want to go with the Tristar instead if you want to control the pump via RS-485. What is the model number? Otherwise you will have to control the V-Green via relays which isn't ideal.
 
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guinness said:
You should add your automation controller to your signature as that adds another dimension to your question. You probably want to go with the Tristar instead if you want to control the pump via RS-485. What is the model number? Otherwise you will have to control the V-Green via relays which isn't ideal.
Click to expand...
The model number is PL-PS-8. Software is 4.46, Display Local-08 is r4.00 and RT Base is r3.00. If I were to buy a who new pump/impeller system, then it looks like the TriStar VS 1.85HP (W3SP3202VSP) would be a good fit?
 
nicktf said:
The model number is PL-PS-8. Software is 4.46, Display Local-08 is r4.00 and RT Base is r3.00. If I were to buy a who new pump/impeller system, then it looks like the TriStar VS 1.85HP (W3SP3202VSP) would be a good fit?
Click to expand...
Without an automation adapter your Hayward system won't communicate with the V-Green. You would need the new Hayward pump. The automation will control two speeds of a Hayward TriStar.
 
Just wanted to update this thread, and say thanks again for all the advice.

I installed a shiny new Hayward W3SP3202VSP TriStar VS 1.85hp pump yesterday, and wow, what a difference in noise as compared to the single speed - apart from the total PITA of having to wrangle the old/new pumps onto the raised platform, the install went well.

One question - the breaker is 20A and the manual recommends 15. I would change it but there are additional feeds from this supply going to the gas heater. My gut tells me that this needs a tiny amount of current, and that a 15A breaker will be fine. As you can see from the "before" photo, it looks like there was an arc at some point in the past - I've replaced all the damaged wiring.

I also used some 24AWG from a CAT6 Ethernet cable for the controller (couldn't face another trip to Lowes) - that should be sufficient? The manual just specifies 300v rating
 

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The 20 amp CB is fine. The minimum amp CB you can use is 15. A larger CB is fine, smaller is not.

Cat6 wire for the controller is fine.

Enjoy your new pump.
 
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