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02-01-2015, 06:46 PM
Greetings everybody! I followed this forum several years ago, when I successfully installed a SWG which has been wonderful.
My pump has failed after at least 12.5 years of operation (that's as long as I've owned the house). It's a single-speed Pentair Whisperflo with a 3/4 HP motor, SF 1.6 (5.6/11.2A). It still runs, but the thermal overload trips after 3-4 minutes.
I called my pool guy and asked for a replacement bid. He suggested a variable-speed Pentair Inlelliflo with a 3 HP motor, which he would purchase and install for $2,000. Ouch! I can't bring myself to spend that much money. Besides, the pump lists for $880 on Amazon, and even at $100/hour for the labor, I can't see that it would take more than a couple of hours at most. Also, 3 HP seems totally overkill. I understand it's VS but why oversize it so grossly?
I could replace the motor for about $180, but I suspect I would be better off replacing the entire pump, as I am not sure that the impeller bearings aren't partially responsible for the failure. I am leaning towards the Hayward Super Pump, either the 1/2 HP or the 3/4 HP models. My pool is about 30" x 15" irregular, about 10 or 15,000 gallons. In the summer the pump needs to send water up to the solar panels, about 15 ft or so from the pool level. (The pump is about 8 ft below the pool level but that should not matter much).
I have a few questions.
First, strangely, Amazon lists a 1.0 service factor for the 3/4 HP pump, and 1.6 for the 1/2 HP. Maybe it's a mistake. But the pump I have is 3/4 HP and 1.6 SF, so am I undersizing with either of these?
Second, I can't tell what kind of PVC fitting to use to plumb the pump. The PDF manuals don't say that either. It looks like it's a threaded female, but I can't tell if it's standard. Does anybody know what parts to get, so I don't have to make two separate purchases? I would prefer to put some standard unions.
Third, should I go for a two-speed pump instead? I only need to run the pump 4-5 hours/day, so I could go for a lower flow/longer time. But if the flow is too low, then I fear that air might enter continuously through the solar panels drain valve. I know that this setup works fine so I'd rather be conservative.
Thank you for any help!
Luigi
My pump has failed after at least 12.5 years of operation (that's as long as I've owned the house). It's a single-speed Pentair Whisperflo with a 3/4 HP motor, SF 1.6 (5.6/11.2A). It still runs, but the thermal overload trips after 3-4 minutes.
I called my pool guy and asked for a replacement bid. He suggested a variable-speed Pentair Inlelliflo with a 3 HP motor, which he would purchase and install for $2,000. Ouch! I can't bring myself to spend that much money. Besides, the pump lists for $880 on Amazon, and even at $100/hour for the labor, I can't see that it would take more than a couple of hours at most. Also, 3 HP seems totally overkill. I understand it's VS but why oversize it so grossly?
I could replace the motor for about $180, but I suspect I would be better off replacing the entire pump, as I am not sure that the impeller bearings aren't partially responsible for the failure. I am leaning towards the Hayward Super Pump, either the 1/2 HP or the 3/4 HP models. My pool is about 30" x 15" irregular, about 10 or 15,000 gallons. In the summer the pump needs to send water up to the solar panels, about 15 ft or so from the pool level. (The pump is about 8 ft below the pool level but that should not matter much).
I have a few questions.
First, strangely, Amazon lists a 1.0 service factor for the 3/4 HP pump, and 1.6 for the 1/2 HP. Maybe it's a mistake. But the pump I have is 3/4 HP and 1.6 SF, so am I undersizing with either of these?
Second, I can't tell what kind of PVC fitting to use to plumb the pump. The PDF manuals don't say that either. It looks like it's a threaded female, but I can't tell if it's standard. Does anybody know what parts to get, so I don't have to make two separate purchases? I would prefer to put some standard unions.
Third, should I go for a two-speed pump instead? I only need to run the pump 4-5 hours/day, so I could go for a lower flow/longer time. But if the flow is too low, then I fear that air might enter continuously through the solar panels drain valve. I know that this setup works fine so I'd rather be conservative.
Thank you for any help!
Luigi