How To Program A Variable Speed Pump Schedule

From www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/page... - Learn why a 24 hour variable speed pump schedule is beneficial for your pool and your wallet. When you program the variable speed pump, it will need to run for a few hours at high speeds to create enough flow for any of the peripheral items on your pool system such as a heater or even your pool skimmer. It should be run at high speeds for about 2-4 hours per day to ensure that flow is reaching those peripheral items. A mid-range speed should be used for about double the amount of time that it was run at high speeds to achieve three turnovers of your total pool water volume daily. The rest of the day should be programmed at a very low speed to keep flow through your system for continued filtration but a much lower electricity draw which means at a lower cost. It is not an advantage to turn off a variable speed pump, it should be run 24 hours per day.

[@deplorabledreg2935]

Steve, you're videos and analysis are simply amazing! I have the same setup on my pool and was trying to figure the best filtration times and power consumption. Seeing your actual numbers on GPM, wattage and amps makes setting up my pump so much easier. Thank you for sharing and continue the great work...

[@andrewbrown784]

Came to KZbin with a question; got my answer and then some from this video! Thank you!

[@johnkenney7217]

Super-helpful, will try to use this for a spa-with-solar situation. BTW, it would be "kiloWatts", not what you were saying "kiloWatt-hours" (you were correct when draw dropped below a kiloWatt and you started saying "Watts" rather than "Watt-hours".

[@JimOlson-sz2uc]

Super informative and great explanation of the cost savings and proper settings for the design of the pump.

[@billwdwc]

Great Video : first person I watched to explain what to set it to and Why! Thanks again

[@Michael-Youtube98]

It's amazing how many people think that I'm crazy when I suggest running their pool 24/7 with a variable speed pump. The days of high electric bills with a pool pump are over!! It's time to get the times.

[@jamesspencer9830]

terrific tutorial, I finally get it!

[@nautidad]

Thank you for this bro!

[@SCavsable]

Great. Stuff. Video is very well done.

[@jacobwalker412]

Any input for these speeds with a heat pump and minimal flow. I set mine to 1K at the end of the day and the heat pump shut off as the flow was too low. Maybe 1200, 2200, 3200 for a schedule?

[@garybrooks2323]

I just did a rough guess. Will be installing a flow meter when I put in a salt cell. Maybe I’ll do it sooner now.

[@juanmiramontes2209]

Great videos sir. I have a question what is the min RPM or GPM to be able to run my pool cleaner? I have a pentair super flow 1.5hp vs pump. My plumbing is 1.5inches. Low resistance since lines and equipment is less than 10 feet from the pool.

[@dean0781]

I replaced a fixed speed 1.5hp Sta-Rite Max-e-Pro with a 3hp Intelliflo. I found that around 2750-2800rpm I am getting the same flow and filter pressure as the fixed speed, so I’m using 2750rpm as my “high range” setting, since it’s plenty of flow to get the surface skimmed/cleaned. I’m running it at 2750rpm for 2 hours in the morning, then 12 hours at 1800rpm (for general swim and heater operation), then 2350rpm for a “moderate clean” for 2 hours at night, then idling at 1400rpm overnight for 8 hours until the cycle starts again. 1400rpm is the minimum required to keep the SWG going. Do you think the 2350rpm “moderate clean” run for 2 hours at night before idling overnight helps anything, or should i roll those 2 hours into either the 1800 or 1400 runs?

[@ogtimmy2355]

I have this same pump with a 7100 gallon pool with a salt chlorinator and a large electric heater. I recently adjusted the speeds and now the pool seems to keep very small debris on the surface and the bottom. I need advice as to what speeds to set my pump and how long for each. I’m not overly concerned with cost although I don’t mind saving money, I really want it to stay as clean as possible as we are planning on keeping it open all year at around 80-85 degrees. Thanks.

[@rickraub5448]

What time of day is best to run at higher speed?

[@deannestewart3105]

This was awesome! Thank you. One question: How do I set up the program. Does that need to happen on the Pentair panel? How do I program that? Been running on manual because I need to be taught all about this.

[@sarahmangone7785]

Do you have a video for this same process using 1.5 PVC? I'm one of those that never calculated anything. I simply ran the pump on a timed schedule of 4 hours per day run time with a 1 hour run prior to using the pool. Chemicals checked wonderfully and all was well. I'm now setting up my pool again and want to do everything the correct way and know for sure what my flo rate is running through my 1.5 pvc without the guess work to ensure I get the run time needed and the benefits of running the pump at a slower RPM rate to save on the $$$. I've loved watching your videos and must say they've been extremely helpful. Please let me know if you have this same process with the 1.5 PVC.

[@HEAVENLYTUNESDJANGEL]

Hi, Newbie with this IG equipment. Stupid question... The PB installed a manual clock/timer and also has a switch. When the time comes on it turns Pump and SWG(Autopilot). Now let's says if I take off the on/off levers in the clock and set this VS pump on is own settings Would this pump turn on the SWG? Thanks in advance

[@Lumpygrits76]

I’m assuming running at the high rpm a couple hours and then dropping down to the mid range would probably be best at night and through the morning and then dropping down to a lower rpm through the day would do well? Keeping the noisiest running time when everyone is asleep or just waking up in the morning and then the quieter low rpm so you can hear yourself think during the day

[@phoenixkester]

Fantastic video. I have a new pool and jacuzzi with a variable pump. As a former firefighter I appreciate the “Sweet Spot” for a a pipe of a specific diameter. My pump app only shows percentage and not GPM, it also does not show Amperage or RPM. My pool is 45’x15’ with a 3/4/6’ depth. 23,000 gallons. If my math is correct, that means I need to average 1,000 gal an hour. I’m not sure what speed my pump would have to run to accomplish that since I don’t see a GPH measure in my app. The pump is a Hayward NSF-50 1.85 THP. 100% = 1,500 watts : 75%= 700 watts: 50%=260 watts and finally,25 %= only 75 watts! That’s lower than a light bulb! Is there a way for my to calculate GPM? I extrapolated your numbers with mine and it looks like your 1000,2000,3000 is equivalent to my 37%, 65% and 100% respectively. If I calculated correctly it amounts to 4, 9 and 17 watts per Gallon. At low it should take 12 hours to filter on low, 7 hours on medium and on 4.5 on high. To filter my pool once, it would cost $2.5 on low, $5.50 on med and $10.8 on high.

[@cgiles64]

Can you give us a chart for how many hours a tea speed to total 24 hours? You didn’t mention any time set for quick clean? Is this just something that we should do occasionally and will it automatically change back to the original schedule?

[@teresascott8522]

Very informative but you didnt show how to program

[@jdofelmire]

Great video, thank you! Can you demonstrate how to program the VS pump to run 24/7 bouncing through the different RPM’s without it shutting off. I’ve tried programming mine but it turns off then on when switching programs.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Here is the programming 24 hour schedule for this pump: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6m3d4eDpK95n7M

[@EvaMariposa]

Is it better to run at the higher speed during the day while pool is used or at night?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Depends what you mean by better. One consideration is that "peak power" rates are usually mid day. This means high speed at night makes a HUGE impact to the total 24 hour running cost since you will be using the majority of the power (high speed running) when power costs are cheapest. However from a flow perspective perhaps high flow rates are better during the day when the sun is cooking the pool and the chlorine...but for my pool I take the savings where I can and run max speed at nigh, low speeds during the day.

[@EvaMariposa]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve understood, thank you! 😊

[@Butchey24]

Swimming pool Steve will the pump turn back on after a power outage

[@digdoug9678]

My Pentair does.

[@Butchey24]

@@digdoug9678 is it a variable speed pump

[@TheGallantjohn]

not clear at all to me

[@aniljain4555]

So, you mean to say that the evergreen single speed motors were the best. The big companies pushed for a law to make it compulsory to install expensive variable speed motors in the name of energy saving and then the customer is asked by the poolman to run them at the highest speed because that is what will clean the pool. Are you fearless enough to make the government to repeal the law and let consumers use the good old single speed motors that do not burden a common man's pocket?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Just so you know, single speed pumps which are high efficiency are still allowed and available, so your argument does not work. Only the worst offending power hogs are being forced out. Further, single speed pumps TAKE money from the pool owner, not save them money. Variable speed pumps SAVE you money, and I can prove it step by step, with video proof, electrical proof, flow volume proof...100% proof of savings with variable speed pumps versus any single speed pump. Massive savings, just look: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmineax8eNySaJo