first timer

Thanks for the reply. I have a very old panel and I don't see any GFCI receptacles nearby. But again I don't know much about it. I was told that the pool's quite old as well, so I don't know what the building code was like when the pool was built. I guess it was a lot less strict than what we have now.

Hello. Another question here. I heard that one should have GFCI protection for pool equipments and light to prevent any potential electrocution. My pool pumps are hardwired (via Pentair Suntouch controller for the solar system) and they are not plugged to any receptacles. And I don't see any GFCI breakers in my main panel. The equipments are about 8 feet away from the pool. Should I install GFCI breakers for a safety measure? Will there be any potential damage to the system if the breaker trips in the middle of the operation? Any issues to consider? Can it actually trip quite often? I'm wondering how often it is likely to have trips when everything is correctly wired. I think I read somewhere that I don't need GFCI for hardwired pool equipments, though. But I'd like to be absolutely safe. What about the pool light? I think the answer is yes. It looks like the pool light is actually connected to a different circuit from the pool equipments. I'm really a novice in this area so again I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

Thanks for the reply. But isn't VS3050 the same thing as 4x160? I was thinking about getting VS3050, not VF. I do have controller for the solar system and pump. So would a 150 sq ft filter still do? Thanks! Presume this is a cartridge filter? What is your current pump and what is the PSI at the filter? Does your cartridge have 2" in and out, and inside the filter? If you're buying a pump to save energy - or energy dollars - it would make sense to outsize the filter to take full advantage, but the reduced GPM / flow rate anticipated (using the VS pump) should fall well within the design flow rate. In other words, if you don't have a problem now, you likely won't after trimming the flow rate using the new pump. Yes, it is a cartridge filter. I have a 0.75HP single-speed pump and the PSI at the filter reads about 22 PSI. Will do the filter cleanup soon, so expect the PSI will drop with the current pump. Is there an easy way to compute the GPM for my current pump? As you mentioned, if the current pump can pump at around 30-35 GPM, I think my current filter will survive. Of course, when solar is not needed, I want to set the pump to run at a much lower RPM so it should be okay. Thanks!

Thanks for the reply. But isn't VS3050 the same thing as 4x160? I was thinking about getting VS3050, not VF. I do have controller for the solar system and pump. So would a 150 sq ft filter still do? Thanks!

Hi all, I'm thinking about upgrading my current pump to Intelliflo VS3050. Wondering my 150 sq ft filter can serve VS3050 okay. I have solar pool heater (7 panels) and I was told that I need about 5 gpm per panel, so that requires about 35 gpm. The max gpm for my filter is like 50~60 gpm, so I think it should be okay. But what do you think? AFAIK, the max flow of VS3050 is over 100gpm but I guess I can set my controller so that it won't run at too a fast RPM? Or should I increase the size just in case the pump might run at a very high rpm by accident? The distance from the skimmer to the equipment is about 8 feet and the run from the pump to the panel is somewhat long (25 ft)? I have two arrays of panels. I understand that a bigger filter means a less frequent cleanup but I'd like to get by what I have if it is adequate. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your valuable input!

Hello, I have a question about skimmer leaks. My pool has been losing water and a hired professional found the leaking point yesterday where the skimmer meets one of the pipes. He did a temporary patch with white stuff (epoxy?) but told me that it won't last long and recommended to replace the skimmer itself. And now I am having hard time to decide whether or not to replace the skimmer. Is skimmer replacement really necessary with this kind of leak? Can I simply re-patch it when another leak is suspected? Would it be a bad idea? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!