+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Spring, TX
    Posts
    3

    Default Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

    I am replacing an old single speed 2HP pump (Purex Ultraflow) with a Haward Ecostar VS Pump, the issue I am facing is the new pump is 26.1" in length requiring a 3" min clearance at the rear of the pump for air movement and a 5x the diameter of the inflo pipe for the horizontal line going into the pump on the suction side.

    That makes the overall length required to be 39.1" however I don't have that distance between where the current skimmer lines come in and the house.

    My thoughts are 2 options:

    1. I could dig up the plumbing and make a 45 out away from the pump and up to vertical and 90 to make up the distance required

    2. Rotate the pump 90 degrees from its current position and have one of the horizontals of the skimmer line longer than the other before meeting the valve then have the 10" of 2" pipe to the pump.

    I will have to cut all existing plumbing between the spider valve and skimmer lines either way.

    Don't know what the best method would be to optimize flow. I would rather go with Option 2 but would do whatever is the correct way regardless of labor.

    It won't let me post pics but I can email to help visualize my set up.. Thanks to all who help.

  2. #2
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

    You can post pictures by putting on Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket, etc (no porn hosts, please!) and using the image button to link to them.

    . . . Or your can email them to poolforum@gmail.com, and I'll get them posted.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Spring, TX
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

    Pictures Sent
    in ground pool

  4. #4
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question







    pictures posted.

  5. #5
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

    Looks to me like the easiest solution might be to dig up the suction lines in front of the pump, and see if you can cut and re-connect those so they are farther from the wall.

    You're still going to lose the Pentair 3-way, since it's been close coupled using glued joints.

    Good luck!

  6. #6
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

    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.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Spring, TX
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

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

    Thanks
    in ground pool

  8. #8
    PoolDoc's Avatar
    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    11,386

    Default Re: Pump Replacement Plumbing Question

    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

+ Reply to Thread

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts