Hey all- want to get a standalone pump to run the vacuum and for draining water at closing. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Standalone vacuum pump
- Thread starter Sidemoves
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,776
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Any inexpensive 3/4 HP single speed pump wired to a 120V plug in power cord will do.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,776
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I know nothing about that pump but for the price it is worth a try.
Cool I’ll give it a try. Not really expecting to use it more than 2-3x per year. Cleaning at opening and drain water at closing. And maybe an occasional cleaning mid season. So hopefully I can get 2-3 years out of it.
Unless you have a different suggestion for a decent cheap pump?
That above-ground pump from Doheny's may, or may not, self prime. That's the biggest issue with using that type pump on a port-a-vac. Also, whatever filter you are using will have to be cleaned more often with an above-ground pump as they just can't push that well against a dirty filter. Doheny's has a 1hp in-ground pump for only $140.00 more. If you plan on using your system much, you'll find that it was worth it.
Thanks for this advice! Are you suggesting I should be using a filter for the port-a-vac?
If you don't want to throw large amounts of water down a drain when vacuuming, use it with a cartridge filter. For draining, just remove the cartridge.
I only had a setup with a filter for a short while, then gave it to a friend. Didn't work for my purposes. If the pool was so dirty that I had to bring in a separate pump, the debris went onto the ground or into a sewer. It was a setup as in ajw22's photo. I also had a portable gfci that was plugged into an out let then the pump plugged into it.
Was only used on commercial pools, which are usually larger than residential, as the amount of water that you can pump through an open line can quickly drop a residential pool below the skimmer. Then you sit there and watch a pool fill or risk flooding a customer's property ("No you didn't tell me the water was running!") or damaging their equipment from running dry ("You didn't tell me the pool needed to be re-filled!").
Thank you @1poolman1 and @ajw22 for the advice. I ended up going with the more expensive 3/4hp Hayward. Do you by chance have links to the fittings /hose you used to attach to the in/out sides of that pump?
What size are the ports on the new pump" These will fit 1.5" directly: SPX1091Z7, Hayward hose adapter.
If you have 2" you can get these as well:
www.usplastic.com
If you have 2" you can get these as well:
2" MNPT x 1-1/2" FNPT Schedule 40 White PVC Threaded Reducing Bushing | U.S. Plastic Corp.
These injection molded PVC pipe fittings are corrosion resistant and produced to schedule 40 dimensions. Ideal applications include potab...
Put a valve on the discharge (Not the suction) to control the flow rate.
This allows you to control the suction as well as the water loss.
The fittings are standard 1.5" or 2" NPT.
This allows you to control the suction as well as the water loss.
The fittings are standard 1.5" or 2" NPT.
Mine didn’t come with an outlet or cord pre wired. Have to do that myself apparently haha
Get a good 50' or 100' outdoor extension cord. Cut off the female end and use the wires for the pump. Gives you a waterproof plug.
Its best if you can use crimp-on wire terminals.
Use a strain-relief bushing like this from Home Depot to keep the cable in the motor:
ok so I got it all wired up. But can’t seem to get it to actually pump water. I’ve tried priming the pump and the hose. Made sure all the connections have a good seal. Applied a little silicone to the plugs. But still not pumping water. When I prime it, it will pump that water through but then just goes empty pretty much.
I’m using 40 ft hoses on both ends - vacuum and discharge. The only thing I can think of is maybe the pump is underpowered for the length/run of the hoses? But not sure that’s the issue.
Any advice would be appreciated
I’m using 40 ft hoses on both ends - vacuum and discharge. The only thing I can think of is maybe the pump is underpowered for the length/run of the hoses? But not sure that’s the issue.
Any advice would be appreciated
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,776
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Sure sounds like a suction side air leak.
The pump cannot be underpowered for the hoses.
The pump cannot be underpowered for the hoses.
Ok let me redo the Teflon tape on all the connections. Thanks for the tip!
Is the voltage selector correct?
Is the hose swivel underwater?
You should put a valve on the output to control the flow.
Is the hose swivel underwater?
You should put a valve on the output to control the flow.
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