New repo house with busted plumbing & two pumps

[rdnkjdi]

Hello all,
I'm trying to get a pool up and going for a house I recently purchased. The owners next door said the pool was working when the previous owners moved out (the house was a repo) a year before I purchased it. I've cleaned up the pool and now I'm working on the pumps.

My question is - there is some plumbing that appears to be broken - and I'm trying to figure out if it was some type of intentional modification by the previous owners (disabling the pool heater, or something like that) or if I need to put the plumbing back together.

I almost feel bad posting this - I've spent a little time browsing the internet for answers - and will continue to spend more. It's just difficult to not get overwhelmed.

Here are some pictures of my pump situation - with some markups to try to aid with the poor picture. http://sdrv.ms/LcrTeA

- Can somebody explain to me why I have two pumps, and what they do?
- Is there any reason I shouldn't just put the plumbing back together?
- Any recommendations on starting the pumps? (So far - I've been told to pour water into the top of the pump to prime it, and fire it up)

[PoolDoc]

I looked at your picture, and can't tell anything. If you can get a camera with flash, that might help.

[rdnkjdi]

I will try tonight - thanks!

[rdnkjdi]

Ok guys - I'm sorry for not posting back. I was able to figure the plumbing out. It looks like the pool heater had been disconnected and that's what the second pump was going to.

I was able to put back together all the plumbing - and when I went to fire up my pump it just buzzes. I've read what I could online - and I've tapped it, beat it, and replaced the little deal on the top of the motor that goes out sometimes. None of it works - twice the pump kicked on - but now it just sounds hung up (Even though I can manually turn the cylinder).

So. All that to say, I'm looking for a new pump. The motor on the old one was a Franklin Electric 1HP motor. I'm looking for something economical because...I'm about to spend all my money on buying another house (long story) and I just need something that'll last the summer for now.

Can I get away with using an above ground pump for my in ground pool? I was looking at this - http://www.amazon.com/Hayward-SP1580X15-Power-Flo-2-Horsepower-Above-Ground/dp/B00268B774/ref=sr_1_3?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1339467394&sr=1-3 - from amazon. It looks very similar to what was there before. But I'm wondering if there will be more stress from an in-ground pool due to the increased distance to the outlets, etc.

I'm sorry - I know what I'm asking is going to sound very stupid to somebody who knows what they're talking about...

========================================

I think I answered my own question "Long runs, multiple fittings, and smaller piping create pressure within the lines which is transferred to the pump. This is just one cause of pump overheating and failure. Every pool plumbing system has a calculable "maximum plumbing flow rate" which must be taken into consideration when choosing a pump."

What numbers do I need to look for on my old pump to determine the size needed for the new one?

[mas985]

The quote isn't exactly true. Pumps don't overheat with too much head loss, they are more likely to overheat when head loss/pressure is too low and the pump is close to run out. Also, there is no such thing as "maximum plumbing flow rate" but there are recommendations. Water will move as fast as a pump can push it. So a larger pump will always produce more flow rate and theoretically, there is no limit other than pump size.

Also, an AG pump usually does not have the suction lift that a IG pump does so priming can be an issue if your pump is much higher than your pool. Also, they tend to be low head pumps which can have significantly lower flow rates when used on a IG pool with long runs and/or require lift for solar heating on roofs. I would stick with a IG pump.

[rdnkjdi]

What about this - will this do the trick?

http://www.poolsuppliessuperstore.com/poolsupplies/Clear-Tek-In-Ground-Pool-Pumps.html?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&zmam=60092827&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=2716

[mas985]

I am not big fan of cheap off brand pumps. You will probably be replacing it next year.

I would recommend pump but I really no nothing about your setup and the pictures of your pad really don't show anything.

[rdnkjdi]

Here is a pic of the pool standing inside - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ft06y0ovyxvctfa/2012-05-28%2011.23.08.jpg
Or one from standing outside - https://www.dropbox.com/s/pxs98mo3u10acy5/2012-05-03%2010.28.13.jpg

Deep end is prob 5 ft, shallow is 2.5. The pump is probably 15 feet away, and uses 1.5" pipe. What other info might help?

[mas985]

Ok, my bad, I guess I wasn't specific enough. I was more interested in the equipment pad picture and a list of equipment make & models.