Advice On Type Of Replacement Pool Pump

[Chris_C]

Hi,

I am pretty new to swimming pool maintenance but I like to dig into things and it just so happened my 1hp pool pump died a couple of days ago...it is probably the original in the pool and I can't even tell what company manufactured the pump. I figured this day would come and decided to wait until it died before replacing it. The label is so worn that the sf is worn off so I really don't know if it is a fully or up rated pump...I am guessing just a 1 hp due to the age.

I recently added solar to the pool about 2 years ago. The solar company said my pump would just barely do the job and for the past 2 summers it heated the pool fine. I have a tri-level house so there is significant distance from the solar collectors to the pump ~70 ft total distance. I did research on the net trying to determine the optimal pool pump for my pool and based upon my calculations it appears to be a 1.5hp pump. The pool itself is a pool/spa gunite and has 1.5'' pipes and probably 30 years old. I currently have a booster pump for the pool sweep, not sure on the hp but I think 3/4.

When looking at replacement 1.5 hp pool pumps they all seem to be 2'' inlet and outlets...will having 1.5'' inch pipes cause excessive wear on the pump due to the limitation of flow rate? All the pipes for the solar, filter and gas heater are 2''.

I am currently looking at purchasing the following medium head pumps. (at least I think these are medium head pumps)

1) Hayward - SP2610X15 - Super Pool Pump | 1.5hp (SP2610X15) - I believe this pump has 1.5'' inlet and outlet.

2) Sta Rite MPR Series - Dyna Glas Pool Pump - Up Rated | 1.5hp - STR-MPRA6F148L - obsolete but I think I found a place on the net that has some in stock, havent actually called them to verify.

3) Pentair Whisperflo Pump Up-Rated EE 1.5-HP WFE-26 - 115/220V - (011518) - 2'' inlet and outlet

Any advice on which pump I should purchase with regards to price, reliability, energy efficiency? The hayward is about $50 cheaper than the sta rite and the sta rite is about $50 cheaper than the whisperflo. If you have a different pump than what I listed please mention as I am not locked into the above pumps.

I plan on selling the house within a year or two so I don't want to break the bank on a new pump...I was thinking around spending $500 or less if possible.

Thanks,

Chris

[quantumchromodynamics]

Can you provide the following information?

01) Volume of the pool in gallons?

02) Make and model of the filter?

03) Height of the solar panels above the pool water level?

04) Number of 1.5-inch return lines from the equipment back to the pool?

05) Distance of the equipment from the pool?

06) Number and diameter of suction lines?

07) Minimum and maximum flow rate required for the solar panels?

08) Number of skimmers?

09) What is the filter pressure with and without the solar?

10) Total run time of the pump per day?

11) What is your electrical rate?

12) Is your electrical rate fixed or variable (peak and off-peak rates)?

13) Are you in California?

[Tiens]

That sounds interesting. Maybe we'll buy

[Chris_C]

Thanks for the response...as I have already spec'd out what size I need I was looking for advice on which type to purchase. I went ahead and purchased the Pentair whisperflow based upon my research and talking with an online pool supply company. Eventhough it was a little more expensive I think with the energy efficiency compared with the other two and reputation of the whisperflo its worth the extra.

Chris

[MKuz14]

Chris - You will not be disappointed with your choice to go with the Whisper Flo pump. The Whisper Flo pump replaced the old Pentair Ultra Flow pump. Which was the best pump out there before they introduced the Whisper Flo. Pentair no longer makes the Ultra Flow. The efficiency of the Whisper Flo far out does the sta rite and hayward pumps. With a bushing your going to be okay with plumbing that 1.5" into it. Your going to find that at least one full suction is going to have to be open. (skimmer) and at least half way with your other suction (main drain, if not all the way open) to have a full prime in the basket. I don't know if you manually vacuum your pool with have a booster cleaner equipped but your vacuum suction will be great! Way to do your homework! You've chosen a good pump and a good hp. Best of luck to you