New pool design, Pump Questions

16 years ago

Hello, I've signed contracts with a PB for a new pool in Tucson, AZ. It's a free-form pool 29x15 (79' perimeter, ~11k gallons) that is 5' deep with a 7' raised spa and an A&A in-floor cleaning system. The spa has a 400k BTU gas heater but I'm also having a Heliocoil solar heating system put in also to extend our swim season. It's a two story house with great southern exposure.

Currently the PB has a single Sta-Rite 1.5HP 1-speed pump spec'd to run the entire system and I'm wondering if thats the best choice for me. This is my first pool so I'm a total newb, but I've been reading on this forum for the past few days and learning A LOT. One of the things I've learned on here is that most people were shocked by the electrical costs necessary to run their pump. I understand I want to turn over my pool once a day. I saw a chart that looks like a 1.5HP pump will turn over a pool in about 2 hours though, which means if I want to filter for the recommended 8 hours a day then I'm costing myself 4x the electricity that I need.

That makes me think I want a 2-speed pump. The Sta-Rite 2-speeds are 1.5hp/0.25hp though and it looks like above ~20' of head they have basically zero flow. That implies to me that I can't use the low-speed at the same time as the solar heating system. Am I stuck with using a high current drawing 1.5hp motor running 8 hours a day if I want solar?

I've read about the intelliflo pumps on this forum and they seem like really great technology but I'd still have to run one at a fairly high load in order to get the water up to the top of the roof and back correct? If I splurged for the high-dollar model I imagine I would set a certain GPM desired and it would automatically adjust the speed for when the solar was enabled and when it wasn't correct? I really would like to try and avoid that option though since it would necessitate the high-end automation system which is a lot of extra $$$. Currently my pool is designed with the Jandy wireless PDA controller which is fairly economical. Jumping to the high end intelliflow w/ intellitouch controls would be big bucks.

The maximum my lender would approve for a mortgage holdback is $50k due to appriasial difficulties (they don't value a new pool at what it costs to install). And I'm allready over that in the design which means anything over $50k is cash out of pocket instead of nicely wrapped into a mortgage.

Please help me with my pool design all you nice people!!!

Thanks!!!

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Comments (4)

eskimopie
Original Author
16 years ago
Well I've done some more research on this and other forums and educated myself some. Apparently a 2-speed pump still works for solar by priming the panels w/ the high speed and then switching to the slow speed for circulation.

Currently I'm leaning towards and intelliflow 4x160 pump with the EasyTouch controls. I've read the online manual for the easytouch and it seems like it handles the solar aspect well. I'm going with the 4x160 pump because I like the adjustibility and want to ensure I have correct flow through the floor cleaning as well as adjustibility on the spa jets. Sounds like it'll be a hell of a system. Now I just hope the PB doesn't try to rape me on the price.
peterl1365
16 years ago
The 4x160 and the Easytouch is exactly what I have. So far, I'm quite happy with it.

Since you're still in the planning stage, you may want to factor in about $100 for a flowmeter. (Check www.bluewhite.com for an inexpensive model like the F300 series.) It will really help you optimize your speeds since the 4x160 does not have a flowmeter like it's big brother.

The important thing would be to install a suitable length of pipe for the flowmeter. The userguide recommends 10" before and 20" (IIRC) after the flowmeter for best accuracy (+/- 10%). If you want better accuracy, look at the F1000 models for about $300 (+/- 2%).
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The 3.2kw IntelliFlo will rebate as it stands upon installation. The 4x160 will need a controller for the 4 speeds. If you are looking at using an authorized installer to gain the additional rebate money, then the 4x160 will not qualify. The 3.2 offers many speeds and is flow centered. The 4x160 is rpm centered. Flow control means that once it is set, the pump will maintain that setting regardless of the load on the system. The 4x160 will run at the preset speed and if it has to work harder, it willle consume more wattage while the 3.2 will adjust to the most efficient speed. The 3.2 offers many on board features that the 4x160 does not. It has 9 different features that can be programmed for different speeds. This is good if you have different flow needs such a waterfall. You can set it to a trickle or change the sound to a Niagra falls if you like. It has safety features that turn it off in the event of suction blockage and losing prime. It also has built in protection for circuit overload or underload. The suction blockage is nice but not approved for anti entrapment standards as the pump turns back on and does not stay off. But, it is nice if you have a sweep blockage. Expect to pay about the same for both when considering the cost of a controller for the 4x160. Th3 3.2 plugs right into an IntelliTouch but needs an interface for any other controller. The 4x160 wires into an EasyTouch but will still need available relay space to take advantage of all 4 speeds.
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eskimopie
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey, thanks for the tip, that's a great idea!
peterl1365
16 years ago
You're welcome. Unfortunately, I did not do this and now I don't have a really suitable place to install a flowmeter. I may just pick the best available spot and figure that the accuracy will be less than optimal.

New pool design, Pump Questions

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eskimopie
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New pool design, Pump Questions

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eskimopieOriginal Author

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eskimopie
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eskimopie
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