Hi or low speed for my pump + PSI

[aammcc]

I have a 2.5 HP, 2 speed pump. What speed should I be running it at for normal operation? Also, I ran it on low speed and my PSI were only about 3 or so and the water was coming out of the return at a decent clip. Running on high speed, I was around 13 PSI and the water was rushing out of the return. Both of those figures seem low. Thoughts anyone? THANKS!!'s

[Watermom]

I'm going to let one of the pump guys answer your question but just wondering what size pool you have? That is a BIG pump!

[mas985]

I would run on low speed as much as possible. The only reason to go to high speed is when vacuuming or backwashing. Low speed will take twice as long to turnover a pool but cost half as much doing so it is by far much more economical than high speed.

[aammcc]

I'm going to let one of the pump guys answer your question but just wondering what size pool you have? That is a BIG pump!

It is a 18 x 33 above ground....sounds like I overdid it.

[CarlD]

Wow! Yeah, I'd say you overdid it. Normally, a 3/4 hp pump is all you need for an 18x33 oval--and even THAT is usually up-rated at 3/4hp, not full-rated. I'm not sure what the lo-speed HP would be but I would guess it might be in the 1/2 to 3/4 hp range, in which case you would NEVER run your pump on high, probably not even for vacuuming. I'm guessing that 2 speeds generally run at 20% of their full speed power when on low. It will save you scads of electric to run on low, too.

Of course, if, at some point you need to dump half your water to refill, the full speed will pump the water down really fast....unless you only have a skimmer and no low drain.

Carl

[matcin2531]

CarlD, couldn't you hook a hose up to the skimmer and suck from the bottom?