Which VS Inground Pump?

I'm currently replacing a Hayward Northstar 1hp pump which has been nothing but trouble with air leaks via the lid gasket for the past 5 years (I've changed multiple gaskets, and they always seal for a few months, then leak). The motor is making a crazy noise, so I've decided to replace the pump.

I've done some research, and there seem to be three pumps that would be good replacements: Hayward TriStar VS (new this year), Pentair VS Intelliflo, and Jandy VS FloPro.

Do any one of the three offer any significant advantages over the others? They are all pretty similar in price - not including the suction block detection feature. Power savings seem similar, programs seem similar - my main concerns are longevity, best lid gasket on the market :), and resistance to electrical surges. I do not use an automation system.

I did find an Intermatic surge suppressor which I believe can be used for any of them. To me, the Intelliflo seems best for longevity, but the Jandy has some nice design features.

Would really appreciate any thoughts and findings from others who've done research or are familiar with any of these pumps - especially on the Jandy FloPro.

My pool is 20x40, 27.5k gallons, 400k btu starite heater, starite SM150 cartridge filter (450 SQ ft), external chlorinator, vinyl liner, poly walls, 2 skimmers, 1 main drain, 1 skimmer is a 1 1/2" home run to pump, 1 skimmer+ main drain 1 1/2" line back to the pump, 2" pipe joining the lines into the pump. Return is 2" line which splits into two 1 1/2" lines with each splitting to two returns into the pool wall, and walkin steps. Pool is about 35ft from the pump.

Joe

No VS is resistant to lightning strikes or power surges so you will need surge protection. Unless you have very high electrical costs, I would avoid them if you have a lot of lightning in your area even with a surge protector. In lower electrical cost areas, these pumps will usually have a higher lifetime cost than a two speed pump so it is usually not worth the risk.

As for VS pumps, the Intelliflo VS is a good value but there are a few others that are even a better value. The Hayward MaxFlo VS or the Pentair SuperFlo VS are both very good value pumps. But they require an external controller or timer to turn them on an off so that needs to be taken into consideration.

BTW, what features of the Jandy are you referring to? Changing the speeds of the pump is about all you need which all of them do.

Sorry for the delayed response, I've been out of town, and my mom suffered a stroke when I returned.'

The features I was describing were more ergonomic in nature. Large handles to take off the strainer basket lid, handles to carry the pump, etc.

I've narrowed it down to the Hayward TriStar VS and the Intellipro VS. With 2" lines into and out of the pump, any VS pump larger than 2 hp would be restricted by the installer anyway according to the manuals I downloaded and read).

My pool has been losing about an inch of water a day since opening it two weeks ago. Its about 8" below the bottom of the lowest skimmer now, so I'm adding water. I turned on the pump to circulate using the bottom drain, and of course the pump is now making a loud buzzing noise and barely moving any water (I figured it was about to die, which is why I was looking to replace it).

Pool guys are coming tomorrow to find the leak, but of course I can't heat the water (its 55 now), so they can't fix it after identifying it.

Next up is the pump replacement.

Thanks for the comments!

Joe

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Originally Posted by mas985

No VS is resistant to lightning strikes or power surges so you will need surge protection. Unless you have very high electrical costs, I would avoid them if you have a lot of lightning in your area even with a surge protector. In lower electrical cost areas, these pumps will usually have a higher lifetime cost than a two speed pump so it is usually not worth the risk.

As for VS pumps, the Intelliflo VS is a good value but there are a few others that are even a better value. The Hayward MaxFlo VS or the Pentair SuperFlo VS are both very good value pumps. But they require an external controller or timer to turn them on an off so that needs to be taken into consideration.

BTW, what features of the Jandy are you referring to? Changing the speeds of the pump is about all you need which all of them do.

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Why not the EcoStar instead of the TriStar? It is slightly more efficient and about the same price.

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Any VS pump larger than 2 hp would be restricted by the installer anyway according to the manuals I downloaded and read

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Please explain what you mean by this. All the pumps you mentioned are over 2 HP.

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Originally Posted by mas985

Why not the EcoStar instead of the TriStar? It is slightly more efficient and about the same price.

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Only reason was the 3hp vs 2hp. Electronics are the same. I didn't want to pay for a pump if I couldn't use its capacity. Since most of the installers are recommending the intelliflo, thats why it is still in the list even though its 3hp.

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Originally Posted by mas985

Please explain what you mean by this. All the pumps you mentioned are over 2 HP.

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The TriStar is a 2hp uprated pump. The Intelliflo and and EcoStar are 3hp. My piping is only 2" into and out of the pump. The returns then split to two 1 1/2" which then split in two for a total of 4 returns for a single 2" pipe out of the pump. When I read the instructions for each of the pumps, the book notes that the installer must restrict the flow of the pump to match the pipe used.

One additional note - the pump is 45ft from the pool before the 2" line splits at the pool into the two 1 1/2" lines for the returns, one of which goes to the returns at the steps 40ft (the length of the pool) away.

So the pump does need to move the water some distance - hence why I went with the Northstar 5 years ago.

Joe

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When I read the instructions for each of the pumps, the book notes that the installer must restrict the flow of the pump to match the pipe used.

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I think you are misunderstanding what they are saying. The installer just needs to put in a pipe reduction. It doesn't really "restrict" anything very much. It doesn't cause any problems and it is nothing to be concerned about.

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So the pump does need to move the water some distance - hence why I went with the Northstar 5 years ago.

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Again, not an issue for any of the pumps and not reason for you to go with a Northstar. Any IG pump would have been fine.

There is nothing that you told me that would prevent you from using any of the pumps mentioned by you or me. The fact that a VS is rated at 3 HP or 2 HP should have no bearing on your decision. What is more important is price point and features that you are looking for.

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Originally Posted by mas985

I think you are misunderstanding what they are saying. The installer just needs to put in a pipe reduction. It doesn't really "restrict" anything very much. It doesn't cause any problems and it is nothing to be concerned about.

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Below is the note from the Pentair Intelliflo VS manual I was referring to - it was pump speed restricted based on flow rate attainable with installed piping, etc.

"A service professional must set the Maximum Speed of the pump to not exceed the maximum flow rate of the system on which it will operate. The Maximum Flow rate setting should be set so the system never operates at or above 25” of Hg vacuum."

To your point, it may not make a difference in my case, but this is what I was going off of.

Joe

They are just trying to prevent cavitation by limiting the top speed of the pump. It doesn't mean that you can't use the pump it just means that you shouldn't operate the pump above a certain RPM level. But for most setups, even that won't be a problem.

I just saw your thread from 2011 comparing the EcoStar and the Intelliflo. Great job in the discussion.

I ordered the EcoStar.

Joe