Advisability of retrofitting to a two speed pump

[South_Texas_Sun]

We're just getting to the final stages of pool construction and we're going to be needing 3 pumps.

One for pool circulation, one for water features, and one for the spa.

I'm thinking that 2 speed pumps might be useful for the pool circulation, and spa (with some of the jets closed), but how about the water features?

We have 2 jandy two-foot sheer descents and a large grotto waterfall (2 inch pipe) that flows over the top of a cap rock and into the pool. Is a 2 horsepower pump an overkill for water features? I'd like to be able to let it run for the kids and I'm afraid that after I get our first pool-present electric bill, I'll be reluctant to let the kids play in it all the time when we don't have company or other special occasion.

You see, I'm somewhat of a .......(ahem)........cheapskate.

Thanks

[cgc2]

Well, "you gotta pay to play", and electricity production aint cheap anymore.
A 2 speed could work on the water feature , i.e., rock water fall, etc.
But to apply it to a shear decent...I dunno, I dont think your going to push enough volume of water when you drop to the lower rpm, so I would work with a high efficiency single speed if it were mine.

I have a 1.5 hp single speed on my 5 ft shear decent, and I control the volume of water on it with a valve.
I do notice on the electric bill when the wife and kids have been using it.

Pentair has a new Variable Frequency Drive pump that I think over time will have applications in water features. No doubt it will probably carry a hefty retail price.

[CarlD]

I have had a 2spd 1-hp Hayward SuperPump for 4 years now and will NEVER have a single-speed again.

I don't do anything fancy--there's a switch on the back of the motor for hi/lo speeds. That's enough for me.

My pool is almost 20,000 gallons and I run lo almost exclusively--even with solar panels. I have NO troubles with the skimmer this season, so if you do, check the line and any ball-valves for restricters. Last season I put in a new valve and it had a restricter so skimming wasn't good. Pulled out the restricter and it's FINE even with a skimmer sock.

High speed is if I really want to agitate the water, speed up the skimmer, backwashing and for the return side pool cleaner (the Dolphin is in the robot hospital..)

Definitely get a 2 speed. Get a higher quality pump and you'll probably be able to get one that uses elec more efficiently at hi AND lo.

[South_Texas_Sun]

Thanks for the reply fellows. The 2-speed pumps sound good and I guess I'll try to wheedle 3 of them out of my pool builder.

As part of our original pool contract, he "included" $3600.00 worth of Hayward Goldline (Aqualogic) pool controls. Then later, he informed me that the control unit we are getting only has 4 outputs. I checked Ebay for the going price of a 4 output unit and found it for around $500.00.

Either there's some horrifically expensive options for Aqualogic, or the PB owes me $$$ in electronics.

Thanks again.