pump running 24/7 or what?

[airraid1999]

I have very clear water, but I also run pump 24/7 should I do that, or should I for pump sake put it on a timer as so it don't run all time or should they ? I have a 2 speed pump and its on low 24/7 should I keep it that way?

[Phillbo]

If you have a well balanced pool and no algae issues I see no reason to run it 24 hours a day . I only run mine for 6-8 hours depending on the time of year. That is long enough to produce the chlorine I need and turn the water over multiple times. I also run mine at night due to lower electric rates.

[Watermom]

You might want to do a couple of runs each day, each 4 or 5 hours at a time.

[Searcher]

I have very clear water, but I also run pump 24/7 should I do that, or should I for pump sake put it on a timer as so it don't run all time or should they ? I have a 2 speed pump and its on low 24/7 should I keep it that way?

I run mine 24/7 365 days a year. I have a dual speed super pump, 1 hp/1/6th hp on a 16' x 32' inground pool. The 30 year old motor was just in the shop for the third time. It needed bearings again. Ever notice when a light bulb pops? Usually when you turn the thing on. If you have crystal clear water as I do by running 24/7 on low, why mess with a good thing? Bearings every 10 years, no problems with on off surges, minimal electric use and pristine water.

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

[CarlD]

Actually, you'll probably get a longer life if you run it long enough to turn your water over twice a day and no more. Plus, had you been doing that all these years you would have saved enough in electricity to replace the pump several times over.

Carl

[Phillbo]

wow.. 24/7 365 ?

why?

[airraid1999]

i live in ky so its not 365 just about 3 1/2 months of swimming

[Watermom]

You can save yourself some money on your electric bill. Run the pump for about 8-10 hours per day split into two sessions. That will be sufficient and be cheaper. The exception to this is if you are fighting algae or have cloudy water that you are trying to clear up. In those cases, we recommend running the pump 24/7, but other times, not necessary.

[anixon7]

You might want to do a couple of runs each day, each 4 or 5 hours at a time.


I just got my first electric bill after a full month of running the pump 24/7. Yikes! Now that my water's clear I'd love to cut back on that.

How can you work in a schedule like this around a normal workday? I'm gone for 10-12 hours a day during the week.

Also, seems like daytime would be more crucial than nite to keep the water circulating, would that be true? Is one more important than the other?

[Watermom]

You can use a timer set for one of your runs -- maybe during the day while you are not home. Then, in the evening, you can manually turn it on for the other run. Or, have two timers. Do they make a timer that can have two on and off periods? They might but I don't know about that.

It doesn't really matter all that much when your circulate as long as you circulate for at least an hour after adding bleach, etc.

[Phillbo]

yes, the intermatic timers have little 'on'/'off' pins you screw on to set the run cycles. My electricity is a LOT cheaper from 9pm to 9am so I run 2 cycles first from 9pm to 12:30am and the second from 6am to 9am .

No runs during the day and I have no problems.

[anixon7]

Ah, the ol' timer. That was too obvious :)

Is it difficult to install/wire them? My pump is hardwired to a breaker box. Only have experience with the little indoor plug-in timers.

Is this one I found on Amazon what I need? http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-T101-Hour-Dial-Timer/dp/B00002N5FN/

[SalemCastles]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100685875/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[Phillbo]

Ah, the ol' timer. That was too obvious :)

Is it difficult to install/wire them? My pump is hardwired to a breaker box. Only have experience with the little indoor plug-in timers.

Is this one I found on Amazon what I need? http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-T101-Hour-Dial-Timer/dp/B00002N5FN/

That is the one I use. You can buy extra pins at Home Depot for multiple run cycles... I can't advise on the ease of install. I'm not allowed to change a light bulb without calling the city first to have the grid powered down ... me and electricity = trouble.