Two-Speed Pump Considerations...

[JWB]

Hi,

My electric company is still offering a $200 rebate on two-speed pump installations so I think I'll replace a 20 year-old "watt-guzzling" single-speed dinosaur that came with the house. The pool is 16x32, 21000 gallons w/no spa. Current filter is a Pentair SMBW 2036 DE.

Would a 3/4 horsepower Hayward or Pentair be sufficent, or are there better brands?

Thanks,
Jon

[mas985]

A 3/4 HP should be more than enough assuming no water features or pressure/suction cleaner. You only need 45 GPM for an 8 hour turnover so you will get much more than that with a 3/4 HP.

Sta-Rite also makes a two-speed pump. I would stick with either Hayward, Pentair or Sta-Rite for high efficiency quality pumps.

[JWB]

Thanks for the reply...

I went ahead and ordered a Super Pump II 1HP (smallest HP on the SCE qualifying list). Question though...

Once connected, do two-speed pumps regulate the AC themselves or is it controlled elsewhere?

Thanks again,
Jon

[MarkC]

Some of the pump motors have a toggle switch on them that allows you switch from low to high. That's what mine has.

[JWB]

Thanks Mark,

Which setting do you use? Is "low" adequate in most circumstances?

[CarlD]

I have a 1hp Hayward Superpump and I run it on Lo 95% of the time, and I run solar panels as well.

If you have a sand filter, you will find it performs better as it has more time to trap junk.

[JWB]

Thanks Carl,

In the summer on "low", how many hours a day do you usually run your Superpump?

Jon

[CarlD]

Usually about 10 to 12 hours. Since it's so quiet and energy-efficient I don't worry about it running too much. I like to keep it running during daylight hour for the solar panels to keep the water warm, and about 2 hours in the night just to keep the water circulated if I added anything.

[JWB]

Very good... thanks. It arrives tomorrow. Hopefully the wiring will be easy. Can you believe it's 90 degrees here in SoCal! If I had your solar panels the kids would be in the pool today... in March even!

Thanks again,
Jon

[MarkC]

I run my pump on low for everything but priming and spring cleanup after opening. 10 hours a day.