Which pump?

[larry2338]

I'm going to be switching from my way oversized 2hp single speed pump to a 1hp 2-speed pump. Is there any significant difference between brands and models? For instance, is there a good reason to spend $479.00 on a Pentair when you can buy this company's 2-speed for $335.00?

http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/pool_pumps.htm

[cwstnsko]

I don't have a great deal of experience with pool pumps, but the 1st question I would ask would be how long would you expect each pump to operate between problems, and which pump can you get parts for. Often the life-cycle cost of an item like a pool pump is not determined by initial purchase price, but the on-going maintainence costs over the life of the the item.

One pump tech told me I should by a Hayward because they are easy to rebuild, another told me to buy a Pentair because then I wouldn't have to rebuild it.

[tenax]

go on ebay and you can find a 1 hp pump brand new that "looks" ok for a 100 bucks! it's tempting when you see these 300-500 dollar pumps and go "gulp". while it may be tempting, yeah, how long do you expect it to last? if you are hoping for 1 or 2 years then maybe a 100 dollar pump is the way to go..but if you want it to last 10, 15 years as many pumps do, with no worries..then i say spend some good bucks and get something with a good rep. when i think of pumping pressured water supplies for 8-12 hours a day and quite often working in hot conditions, a good pump is worth it's weight in gold. i also wonder how noisy these cheapies are.

[larry2338]

I understand and have a certain amount of respect for name brand and reputations - but - if they are new AO Smith motors with a 1 year warranty and a 5 year limited warranty on the pump housing, how are they different from the 'name brands'? Just wondering if you aren't effectively buying a Hayward, Sta-Rite, Pentair, etc. without the $150.00 charge for the 'name'.

[tenax]

you may be right..without using a cheaper one..seal quality? anti-vibration? , noise insulation? part of the problem is finding someone who's used one of the "non hayward,starite, pentair, jacuzzi" pumps!

[larry2338]

Thought I'd better point out that the company site I referenced I found through a Google search. I had never heard of them before and have no connection with or knowledge of their business. I'm just trying to find the most cost-effective route to replacing my current pump and am certainly open to ALL suggestions.