Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

[PoolDoc]

Looking at your #2 option above, you can reduce flow restriction by doing as you say, but replacing the 3-way with (2) PVC ball valves on each line. Make the turns to the right (facing the wall) with an ELL on the left hand line and a TEE on the right hand line. 3-way valves invite a trainwreck connection which introduces substantial flow restriction at at full flow rates from both pipes. The trainwreck (or bullhead) layout can be used for ALTERNATE flow without problems.

[DFS12]

Thanks can you use the standard Ball Valves you can buy at Lowes or do you need special grade valves.

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

Hm.

I was a licensed master plumber for 20+ years, but was nevertheless badly snookered when I bought some Chinese made Lowes valves and brass nipples for using in repairing my father's water line. I had both a brass ball valve AND a brass nipple spring leaks in the MIDDLE of each item. Unfortunately, the leaks occurred 9 months apart, so my dad twice had $100+ water bills and I twice had to crawl into that mud hole.

As I've begun to comment on more and more often, I'm seeing a very strong pattern of Chinese made products showing really awful quality control, unless some major US company is riding herd on them, and enforcing severe quality standards. Apparently, Watts Valve (old line US valve company) is not big enough, because I've seen some Chinese made products with a Watts label that are junk.

So . . .

If you buy at Lowes, you may get lucky, or you may get junk. I would NOT use Lowes-Chinese products anywhere a failure would be expensive or hard to repair.

Here are some better options:

Valterra is a US company, with US and Mexican made products. Their valves are not industrial grade, but seem to be of consistent quality, and perform as expected.

Valterra 700-15 PVC Ball Valve, White, 1-1/2" Slip
Valterra 700-20 PVC Ball Valve, White, 2" Slip

King Brothers or KBI is also a US company, but I believe all of their products are US made. I'd rate it as a bit higher in quality than Valterra. They have a wider line of PVC valves and fittings, so you might want to browse through Amazon's selection.

King Brothers Inc. LT-1500-T 1-1/2-Inch Threaded PVC Schedule 80 Commercial Ball Valve, Gray
King Brothers Inc. LT-2000-S 2-Inch Slip PVC Schedule 80 Commercial Ball Valve, Gray

Hayward is an operating unit of the same company that owns Hayward-Pool. Their US made industrial valves are high quality -- I've installed a bunch of them over the years -- but expensive:

Hayward PVC Ball Valve, Two Piece, True Union, EPDM Seal, 1-1/2" Socket/Threaded
Hayward PVC Ball Valve, Two Piece, True Union, EPDM Seal, 2" Socket/Threaded

However I found these Hayward brand products, that appear to be new, and are cheap and probably Chinese made. Watch the reviews. I'd probably stay way from these, at least till they have a track record.

Hayward QVC1015SSEG 1-1/2-Inch Gray QVC Series Compact Ball Valve with Socket End Connection
Hayward QVC1020SSEG 2-Inch Gray QVC Series Compact Ball Valve with Socket End Connection

Hayward QTA1015CSEG 1-1/2-Inch Gray QTA Series True Union PVC Compact Ball Valve with EPDM O-Rings
Hayward QTA1020CSEG 2-Inch Gray QTA Series True Union PVC Compact Ball Valve with EPDM O-Rings