Old Wheezer Has Gotta Go

[westplanner]

Our pool pump is 30 years old and still going fairly strong. The problem is it is noisy and inefficient. So we would like to replace it with a new quiet and efficient model.

The pool is 17,000 gallons. Current equipment includes the old Centurion 2hp pump, a Jacuzzi EW100 DE filter, a Hayward 5060 3/4hp booster, and a Letro Legend Platinum sweep. The pressure gauge on top of the filter indicates 20 psi.

I was considering the Pentair Intelliflo pump, because I see functional value in the variable speed design (plus the immediate monetary value with a $400 rebate). My pool guy recommends the Whisperflo instead, because it is a proven, dependable product. He also recommends a 1 hp pump, which he says will give me comparable flow to the old open impeller pump.

I am asking for more opinions and advice. Thanks in advance.

Steve

[ny poolguy]

Whisperflo is a good pump. I like Hayward's super pump and super II pump as well. A 1hp pump should work fine for your size pool. How many suction and return line does the pool have and is the pump very far from the pool?

[westplanner]

There are four outlets in the spa wall which I guess are the return. There are two valves we can reverse to make these increase for the spa.

There are three ~6 inch disks on the pool floor at the shallow end, a bigger one on the spa floor, and an even bigger grate on the floor in the deep end. There is a skimmer. The pump is 10-15 feet from the return outlets and 25 feet from the skimmer.

We also have a waterfall which has never been hooked up. My pool guy says he can install a valve to divert the return line from the pool to the water fall, which is about 30 feet away. Would that work, or do we need a separate pump?

Steve

[polyvue]

There are four outlets in the spa wall which I guess are the return. There are two valves we can reverse to make these increase for the spa.

There are three ~6 inch disks on the pool floor at the shallow end, a bigger one on the spa floor, and an even bigger grate on the floor in the deep end. There is a skimmer. The pump is 10-15 feet from the return outlets and 25 feet from the skimmer.

We also have a waterfall which has never been hooked up. My pool guy says he can install a valve to divert the return line from the pool to the water fall, which is about 30 feet away. Would that work, or do we need a separate pump?

Steve

If you decide to replace the current setup with a single pump, a variable speed model would make sense -- you'll need the extra push for the waterfall. But you may want to compare the costs both ways. Economically it may make more sense to separately plumb the water feature and the pool and use two single-speed pumps. You'll have finer control and that's good especially if you're not going to be running the waterfall all the time.

[ny poolguy]

There are four outlets in the spa wall which I guess are the return. There are two valves we can reverse to make these increase for the spa.

There are three ~6 inch disks on the pool floor at the shallow end, a bigger one on the spa floor, and an even bigger grate on the floor in the deep end. There is a skimmer. The pump is 10-15 feet from the return outlets and 25 feet from the skimmer.

We also have a waterfall which has never been hooked up. My pool guy says he can install a valve to divert the return line from the pool to the water fall, which is about 30 feet away. Would that work, or do we need a separate pump?

Steve

I agree with Polyvue. Your going to need more then a 1hp to have enough power for the pool,spa,and water feature. A Pentair Intelliflo(a multi-speed pump)might be a good choice for your needs. I also would prefer a two pump system. Maybe a 1hp for the pool and water feature(w/a valve to control flow to each)and a 1 1/2 or 2hp for the spa,but with out seeing the way things are plumbed I'm not sure if that's a choice you have.

Also,those disks on the floor are likely a caretaker system. They are returns that push dirt on the floor down to the main drain in the deep end where it's sucked up.

[Pool Clown]

I was considering the Pentair Intelliflo pump, because I see functional value in the variable speed design (plus the immediate monetary value with a $400 rebate). My pool guy recommends the Whisperflo instead, because it is a proven, dependable product. He also recommends a 1 hp pump, which he says will give me comparable flow to the old open impeller pump.

You can tell your pool guy that Pentair offers the variable speed pump "Intelliflo" in a whisperflo configuration. You can have all the advantages of variable speed, while still having "a proven, dependable product". The pump part is the same, the real difference is the motor.