"For the question at hand, the total # hours dedicated to each function i.e. filtering, cleaning etc should be figured and compared with a proper sized pump for the application, not the Intelliflo vs 3HP whisperflo. More along the lines of the Intelliflo vs 1.5HP pump, or 2 sp etc." I was responding specifically to this statement "it will explain where and why the intelliflo is efficient at low speeds but very inefficient at high speeds." It's doesn't lose efficiency compared to a regular single speed pump at high speeds, it comes close to, or beats a single speed whisperflo in efficiencies. I dare you to find me a 2speed 3hp (true 3hp), or a pump that will work at 4 different speeds using the right amount of energy to get the job done, no more no less. In the real world I have yet to see one of these pumps move less water moving more energy. "More along the lines of the Intelliflo vs 1.5HP pump" Still less power, at least in my testing. I have yet to deal with anyone who has put one of these pumps through its paces and pass a negative judgment on it. "So in a real world application, you may actually find the opposite power usage as you state above. " Where are you getting this from? I can sell any pump I want, and I am not married to Pentair, nor is Repairguy. We are real pool professionals that are in the upper echelon of our trade, yet people still don't believe what we have to say. I never believe brochures, and I am fortunate enough to be able to take the time to do field testing of products, and everything I have experienced has refuted most of the naysayers claims. This pump is great, and other than extremely high flow low head applications, I have yet to deal with any other product that is as dynamic and well built, as this pump. In a high flow low head application( ponds waterfalls), you lose self priming ability, but can create greater efficiency, but no pool pumps currently being marketed can do this, you have to go elsewhere, but those products are not UL listed for swimming pool applications so its pretty much a moot point.

quote" when I started in the pool biz, a time clock and air switch was for high rollers........"quote I'm sitting here LMAO!!! When I started in this game we plumbed whistlers. They provided more hydro therapy action at the jet than any of todays whiz bang jets with a horse and a half air blower. The problem was the noise. Now I can't hardly remember the last dual timer and AS Relay I installed. Everything has been Aqualink for the past 10 years. Colt, I'm curious, do you work for the worlds largest pool wholesaler or PWP? If so please disregard the following. Deek, are you telling me I can buy a 4X160 from PWP for 718 bucks on their published price list? They, the worlds largest pool distributor, came to town and promised great service and fair prices. On the service aspect they've delivered in spades, but on the fair prices I've had my suspicions for some time now. If you can purchase the 4X160 pump for 200 less it means they're charging me almost 25% more. That equates to a near 40% markup for the distributor. This is way way more markup than normal construction wholesale distributors work for. My biggest joke with my outside rep when he asks me how I'm doing is "Not only am I smoking more and enjoying it less, but I'm also paying more for service and enjoying it less too" I haven't bought from PWP since the early 90's and haven't shopped pricing in 10 years but now I'm convinced I probably should. repairguy, I don't think I said that the starter of this thread could save as much electricity with a 2-speed pump. I think I said that they could save nearly an equal amount of electricity by utilizing a Jandy 2speed or Whisperflo 2speed pump and save money on their equipment purchase. I also didn't say that I don't embrace new technology I think I said that I'm sure that these pumps are the way of the future, but in the meanwhile I'll wait for the prices to drop. Please don't attempt to read things in my posts that I'm not saying and then rewrite them to play off of my reply. FWIW, I quote quite a bit of this new equipment and have placed it into service on quite a few pools. It's awesome stuff!!! But, I'll quote my buyers the actual cost of my setup -vs- your setup and let them make the decision based on their interpretation of whether it is or isn't worth the extra money. This way they won't have me to blame because I told them about the benefits of each. Don't take my replies as me knocking the product and don't take this as me knocking you. It's just my take on the situation. BTW, I'm sorry you don't like DE filters. I've always found them to be great filters. My pool is 120000 gallons and is always crystal clear even on short filter run times. I attribute this to my DE filters. Thanks for you guys input, this thread will go a long way towards enlightening new members contemplating a pool purchase. I saw where Eann is looking to purchase the variable speed online. I'm fixing to go over to that thread and second your advice to steer clear of Internet wholesalers. See ya, Kelly

Currently there is no equalizer line plumed between the pool and spa, the water level in the Spa is about 3 inches higher than in the pool when both are filled properly. Is the maintenance on the chemical dispensers really more than having to check the Chlorine and PH levels of the pool and spa are daily and adding the right amount of liquid chlorine? That's what I do now. The reasons I'm wanting to redo the pluming on the equipment pad are: there is no room for solar valves between the filter and heater or a salt cell; the pump sits less than 2 inches away from the 3-way pool/spa inlet valve; all the corners used are the short radius 90 degree kind; and pipes go from 2'' to 1 1/2'' back to 2'' on the pad. I figured that for 200 bucks on piping parts at the local hardware store I can redo the pluming, have a 10 inch straight pipe in front of the pump intake, use large radius corners where possible and have room for the solar valves and salt cell. Hopefully saving me on operating costs for the pump long term. Of course those savings are based on having a VF 3050 pump or using a flow meter to setup to VS 3050's rpms for the correct flow for my piping. As for the EasyTouch, I hadn't really considered it since I was looking at the IntelliTouch. If for some reason I decided to stick with the VF 3050 after all would you be able to setup different flow rates for different functions on the EasyTouch? I'm thinking I need these: 1) pool recirculation 22 gpm (gets me 1 turnover in 14 hours) 2) pool skimmer ? gpm (I'll have to experiment with this to see what works) 3) pool sweep ? gpm (I'll have to experiment with this to see what works) 4) pool skimmer + sweep ? gpm (I'll have to experiment with this to see what works) 5) spa recirculation 10 gpm (gets me 1 turnover in 40 minutes) 6) spa jets 80 gpm (ideally this speed would be adjustable or there would be more than 1 preset speed) 7) solar pool or spa ? gpm (whatever is required by the solar panels I end up using - suggestions welcome) Currently without solar my pool temo is usually already in the 90's cause of a bubble solar blanket I keep on the pool, so in practice I think the solar will only be in use in the spring and fall or on days when the solar blanket is off the pool for a long time.

It would take a while for the return. The seals are only about $25 and an hour of your time. The pump body is the same. Just buy the pump and split it. You'll have an extra pump body that you could sell. Whether your AquaLink can handle it is another issue. It will likely need and upgraded board that can accept the interface from the Intelliflow. Scott