Which VS Inground Pump?

[mas985]

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

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

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

[jevincent1]

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

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.

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

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.

[jevincent1]

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

[mas985]

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.

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.

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

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.

[jevincent1]

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.

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

[mas985]

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.

[jevincent1]

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

I ordered the EcoStar.

Joe