You might like Photo Bucket better. It's easier to use. Third option on Photobucket works well here. Scott

mike- If you want to go the simple 2 speed approach to save money, I would recommend at least the 1.5HP 2 speed which will be 1/4 HP at low speed and will provide adequate turns on your pool daily for filtration and chlorination. The 1.0HP at low speed is 1/5 HP and will require much longer run times to circulate your pool. With the right valving, the 1.5HP at high speed will be enough for your spa and cleaner. Also, I have seen 1 story solar panels work fine with 2 speed pumps at low speed. I think mas985 was referring to 2 story solar panels and with these elevations, the vacuum levels can reach the design limit of the panels, but even then, there have been folks on this forum that have successfully used 2 speed pumps on low speed for 2 story panels. Like mas985 says, the vacuum breaker has to be positioned at lower elevations and you should consult your solar panel maker for exceptions to their normal application guidelines. Variable speed will also do the job, but as you said, it is more money to begin with and the payoff will depend largely on your local utility rate. If my utility rate was $.30/KWH, I would have chosen a variable speed pump, but at $.07/KWH, the payoff would be over 10 years. All the above assumes no problems with the 2 speed or variable speed over its life. If the variable speed fails, you are likely looking an expensive total pump replacement. From recent posts on this forum, it seems that at least one variable speed manufacturer will not provide separate replacement parts for their variable speed pumps. If the 2 speed fails, you can replace the parts and be back up and running with a nominal expense. Hope this helps!

I have a bunch of pictures on my pool blog (mostly under the "Electrical" titles), but here's a sample: From The New Blue Pool We had two issues with the equipment pad. First was electrical. The cranky electrician (sub) didn't communicate with the PBs guys on where the equipment was going to go, so he assumed that the controls were going to be on the right side of the equipment pad, so that's where he ran the wires (see posted picture). Of course, the controls were mounted on the left side, so he had to run a junction box and extra stuff (fortunately, behind the equipment) to wire it all in. Second, they ended up putting the gas heater on the right side, to get the exhaust vent as far away from the window as possible (It is technically not "legal" because it is less than 4' from an opening window, BUT we never open that window because of the noise from the neighbor's A/C and pool equipment, and now our equipment, too. Eventually, we'll put an exhaust stack up if required, but we passed inspection, so we're in no rush. Otherwise we would've had to screw the window permanently closed.) I just realized that in this picture, they stuck the heater out to the "legal" spot so we could see where it would be, but we had them push it back towards the wall back onto the pad. Anyway, we didn't call the gas guy until later and they ended up working around all the other equipment and so it kind of looks jury-rigged because the gas stuff is all in the front. I just realized that I didn't put up any gas pictures yet, so if you want, you can look for that in a couple of days (I write the blog for my in-laws in CA, because they get into that kind of thing). Also, the pad is a few feet too big. That's fine with me, but I thought it would be poured exactly to required size. The big thing is the spa jet pump. PB wanted that as close to spa as possible for the most force and it is pretty powerful. The plan is to put a trellis between the heater and the pool and grow something thick (bouganvillea) for view and noise. We'd like to put solar in eventually, but I don't know how that's going to work at all. The equipment is on the north side of the house and of course the solar will go on the south-facing roof surfaces. Not something to worry about now until we save up more $$$! Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Blog

Im not super impressed with My Jandy system,nor the raft of new pentair components I upgraded with this past spring either. The Jandy RS-8 has been reliable and its remote is very nice and one ups all your buddies for sure. Its easy program to do basic things, but when it comes to sophisticated variable flow pumps, and temperature based switching it falls short. I have solar as well, and the for the most part the valving is accurate and well timed, but its lacks flexibility or flatly put its just not really advanced at all. It CANNOT BELIEVE it cant do temperature based switching! For example I cant seem to find a way to get the system to regulate the solar output to the spa until it hits 104 then switch to the pool till 85 and bounce back and forth and maintain 2 temps. Sure I can control this manually or set up to 2 clock timers on each point of control, and the solar can deliver it, but the point is I was told this was an "automation system." - maybe in 1993 it would be but for what you should get- its just not. The documentation isnt really descriptive about certain behavior - Does turning off solar priority with a heater on allow solar preheating of the water going into the heater?? I cant seem to tell. As with solar priority off I see the solar marked as "on" in addition to the heater being "on"- is this normal. I cant get anybody to actually come out and try an Intelliflow with it (so I can regulate GPM to the panels) and I live in southern California! The things well built though and the panel is sturdy and Im sure with a little software coding could be awesome, but "2.0" (I hear rev O will drive an intelliflow but nobody seems to know) doesnt seem to be coming out anytime soon. My pentair quad de60 filter is leaking after the first lid pop. My pentair minimax 400 has needed 2 service calls in 6 months with weeks of non use between them. My whisperflows have been awesome, as is my goldline chlorinator. Good luck Bro, Dave