Pump motor upgrade, fixed to variable speed

[Motozoic]

I'm planning to upgrade the motors in my pool filter system and not sure if my plan is sound. My pool was built in 1997 and the original pumps are still in place and functional. The main filter pump is a 1.5 hp A.O. Smith single speed motor with what appears to be a metal cooling fin equipped pump and basket housing. The pool has a rock waterfall feature and it appears to have a separate 1.5 hp Century single speed pump (also with a metal pump and basket housing), but is not plumbed into the Pentair Triton II sand filter. No leaks, everything works, but the energy usage of the motors is excessive and I'd like to upgrade to variable speed operation to help. I'm planning to tackle the job myself with a knowledgeable friend who has done motor replacements before.

The pump housings appears to be much higher quality than what I've seen on the market today. I've seen only composite housings and don't prefer that since I live in an extremely hot climate with intense sunshine which will rapidly degrade composites. So I was thinking that perhaps I'd should replace the motor assemblies only. Does that sound reasonable? Should I look into rebuilding the pump housings (is that even a possibility) while I'm in there?

The other possible issue I'm concerned with is the horsepower rating of a replacement variable speed motor. I've heard people mention that I should source a higher horsepower pump when specing a VS replacement, but not sure exactly why. Would I not be able to replace my 1.5 hp single speed units with a 1.65 hp variable speed unit?

I eventually plan to upgrade my Pentair Compool controller to EasyTouch which apparently allows for variable speed pump control, but the Century pump I'm looking at is this: A.O. Smith 1.65 HP Variable Speed Pool Pump Motor Square Flange - ECM16SQU - INYOPools.com. It looks like I should be able to keep things running as is with this newer unit while I figure out the automation controller upgrade.

My filter pump tag:


Water feature pump tag:

 

[JamesW]

Introduction of a new standard date code was implemented in August of 2006 that will eventually be used on all A. O. Smith product. The first three characters represent the day of the year, the next two the year, and the last two the plant code. For example, 12306M, would mean the 123rd day of 2006 (12306) manufactured in A. O. Smith’s plant (4M).

The motor is not original. The motor was made February 20, 2009 Friday. The label only identifies the motor, not the pump. It's a 2.2 total hp pump and will use about 2,200 watts.

Do you have a picture of the whole pump?

I would suggest an Intelliflo pump for the main pump.

For the waterfall, I would suggest that you just use a valve to divert the main flow instead of a separate pump.

If you want a separate pump, I suggest a water feature pump which is specifically made for low pressure applications, like waterfalls.

 

[Motozoic]

Good to know about the motor, thanks! The main pump is a Sta-Rite Max-E-Glas II model. The water feature pump is a Sta-Rite Dyna-Max pump, but not looking to replace it at this time. To save cost, I would really like to simply upgrade to a variable speed pump and then later update the automation controller.

 

[JamesW]

I wouldn't rebuild a 20 year old pump.

I would replace the pump with an Intelliflo variable speed pump.

 

[KDpoolguy]

I’m shopping for a new VS pump for a friend and hoping for input on pump info also. I have a Hayward Tristar VS 3200VSP. It’s been bulletproof. It’s rated at 1.85hp, but now Intelliflo is cheaper.

You can look at Pentair Superflo VS (1.5hp replacement) or the venerable Intelliflo 3hp 11018. I’m wondering about the Hayward Ecostar also.