How To Program A Variable Speed Pump *UPDATE*

Professional advice for the DIY pool owner, saving time and money.
www.lucyspools.com
An UPDATED step by step explanation with a PENTAIR REPRESENTATIVE guiding how to program a variable speed pump.
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[@Nanjen]

You are awesome and thank you for taking the time to do this! My fiancée was losing his mind over this - now peace is restored!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Well you're off to a good start with your marriage because a man that can take instruction from a woman (two in this case) and not feel insecure is a smart man. All the best to both of you!

[@jacquelineiversen5661]

Still THE BEST video on how to set it. Thank you so much!

[@edrabago4874]

Excellent tutorial! My confusion has been calmed! THANK YOU

[@larycurlymoe]

Very helpful. This is such a non-intuitive system it is no wonder so many people have trouble with the programming.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

That's the exact word I used when I called them. I told them they should have had Apple do the programming as the iphones are so intuitive. My hope is that before people purchase this pump they know what they're getting into. The concept is good, I just wish it was more user friendly. Thanks for writing in, Lucy

[@rodneywilliams2863]

Best programming video out there. Thank you Lucy and Pentair rep

[@perecarl12]

This type of video is most helpful! I learn best from mistakes. I feel so much more confident now. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@braavehart]

Great video Lucy. Also, kudos to the wonderful gal at Pentair!

[@TexasWalker726]

Thank you so much! This saved me so much time.

[@tayfamcreations9195]

Thank you Lucy, I have the same pump in the house we just bought. For over 2 months my some and I have been trying to troubleshoot the pump. Your video helped me to understand the programming of the pump. Keep them coming. My subscription is already in.

[@TheFaithtrix]

Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate your videos.

[@scoobeydo9892]

Thank you so much! I just bought a variable speed pump and although this didn't answer all my questions, it definitely answered many of them.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Glad it helped. I know there is more to understand about programming this pump but that particular pool didn't need it. I hope you get the rest of your questions answered. Pentair number is 1-805-553-5000 They are very helpful. Lucy

[@paulbaumgartner3545]

It worked great people have to think of the pump speeds as individual set points are available for different purposes, pump address #1 is just for that 1 pump, if you have more than 1 pump you can program here as well.

[@carolherrera6537]

Thank you! Really helped explain the programming process!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

You're very welcome. Credit goes to Berdette, the rep from Pentair who did a great job explaining the 'why' of the settings. Thanks for watching. Lucy

[@whitemok]

that looks really good. I like to recommend this to my new customer

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Well, that was the fastest response I've ever gotten on an uploaded video! I am pleased with this, I feel pretty confident it will help a lot of people. The Pentair rep was really great. I hope your new client finds it helpful. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to write, Lucy

[@CitadelRunner]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thank you, too.

[@ozgurmisman5759]

Thank you ! This was very helpful

[@barbaramueller2811]

THANK YOU LUCY and Bernetta

[@JuliusTWilliamsJr]

Excellent!

[@cherylearle1359]

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

[@turbo-seal189]

Why in the world won't Pentair produce tutorial videos online working a consumer through programming just like this only using a professional audio filter so the pump noise is suppressed. The money they would save at consumer calls would be huge. consumer confidence would grow. But leave it to the field pro to get this to happen "organically" in this youtube video.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thanks. I agree with you. Pentair's number is 805-553-5000 in case you want to call and suggest that to them. I'm sure they would do a very professional video.

[@dennism6664]

Good info FYI new keypads are slightly different

[@davidburns1753]

Your patience and perseverance are commendable! Thank you!! My male attributes do not include those which you exhibit. Pentair should be strung up by their thumbs for creating such a stupid program setting process. In this day, 2017, it should be doable, with the utmost ease, from any computer or smartphone. Instead, I have to lean over in an uncomfortable position trying to remember how many times I have pushed "menu" or "start" or the "up" key and so on. Here is one question I hope you will help me with. How do I get rid of a preprogrammed schedule on one of the speeds? Somehow, by the grace of the Swimming Pool Gods, I have three speed/timed modes working as I wish. Then, each day, an unwanted run time and speed happens that I do not want. How do I leave everything else as it is and kill that one mode? I do not know if it is 5, 6, 7 or 8, but I want it DEAD, just like the idiots who designed this stupid pump in the first place. OK, maybe I don't want them dead, just maimed and injured and on their way to the ER. Can you help me before I commit an act I might regret?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Haha. This is classic! I don't know how I didn't see this in my email. Believe me I've felt the same way towards the folks who programmed this stress test. I believe that to delete a program you may be able to simply push the program button while it is running at the time, then delete it. I know it sounds super simple, unlike everything else about this machine, but give it a try. If this doesn't work please email me at [e-mail] and I will call Pentair and help you deal with this. They are very helpful. KZbin is as frustrating for me as Pentair. I cannot respond on my mobile device so everyone has to wait for an answer until I'm in front of a computer. I can't wait for the day that machines will telepathically answer our questions. Lol

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

If Paul Baumgartner is reading this, feel free to chime in (he has helped on a couple other issues)

[@davidburns1753]

Thanks, I love my women friends who can help more than any guy who says dumb stuff like, "what, you can't do that, it's simple", as they walk away and leave behind a trail of "can't admit I don't know either" droppings. So, as of now, it is working slightly better, but In truth, I will throw this thing in a pot of boiling oil and dance on the dying carcass as soon as someone comes out with a proper pump with idiot-proof programming. This thing is a joke, even if smarter people than I can make it work. Believe me, there are a lot of idiots who have pools in this world.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

So I took the time to watch this again, one year after posting. Bernetta was awesome! After watching I still can't believe how confusing this programming is! You use oil...I'll use acid...dissolve the evidence. That's what I was taught. I'm Italian. (Please no hate mail. It's a frick'n joke!) Thanks for recognizing that women are capable sometimes. I know I don't need to pat you on the back but hey, doing it anyway.

[@terencemagee5336]

Lucy, this was a great idea thank you for thinking of this and for sharing! I have a question though, I want to set up a schedule so that the pool pump runs at a high speed, say 3000 RPM for the first hour or so and then slows down to a more sedate 1800 RPM during the rest of the day. Is a solution to set Speed 1 as a scheduled event for say 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM , then Speed 2 as another scheduled event from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Is the pump intelligent enough to know that when one scheduled event finishes it should look for a second one? I am experimenting at the moment, but regardless of the outcome your video helped me get started, so thanks again.

[@whitemok]

I'm seeing a customer that wants a new pump and would like to save money. thank you.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Honestly I am not a personal fan of variable speed pumps, however they do have their place in certain situations. That being said, if the client wants one then it's our duty to be able to assist in getting the most out of their purchase. You are smart to show them this video. Lucy

[@Mutnik32]

Thanks for this video. I learned several things that will surely help me like hitting the start stop button twice after running the pump off schedule. Hopefully I can remember this when I am in the field. :0)

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Hope so too. I had to watch it about five times before it penetrated my brain. Good luck with them in the future, Lucy

[@Mutnik32]

+lucyspools it was a good thing I watched this because when I got to a pool of mine it wasn't running. I noticed the time was way off so. Was able to re-set. Yay me! I still re-watched this when I got home and probably will watch it over and over. hehe. Great to know it is always on KZbin which is on the phone Incase I get forget. Thanks again!

[@mikemill7115]

I programmed my pump it works great. The only problem is that after a power outage the on/off button must be pressed to ensure the schedule mode is on. We are in Florida and we have a lot of outages and we go north for the summer, the pump may be off for a week until my pool guy shows up

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

If Pentair is listening perhaps they will add a back-up battery within the unit to prevent this from happening, like companies do for sprinklers, security systems, modems etc. Thanks for bringing this issue to light. If I talk to them I will also mention it. I guess in the meantime, before you leave you may want to load up on chlorine. Thanks again, Lucy

[@mikemill7115]

thanks - there must be a way to do this. When I had my one speed direct wired to the timer there was never a problem after a power outage. Doesn't seem right that you have to physically press the on/off switch after an outage.

[@code_brenden]

Hi -Brenden

[@marionlewis2640]

We have the pentair pump. I need to drain water out after heavy rain. I have attached a hose. The pump will not turn on. The screen says 'running schedule' I have pressed the stop/start twice, still not coming on. Help.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Oh my goodness. I am soooo sorry! I had a botched hip replacement and am just getting back to checking my messages. I hope someone was able to help you out. Lucy

[@paulbaumgartner3545]

just hit the manual button it will run for however long you programed it for or you can just stop it when needed

[@lescarecrow3366]

Great job. thank you... but how do I change AM/PM?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

I am so sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Still recovering from hip surgery. Were you able to figure it out yet?

[@lescarecrow3366]

Yes, thank you. hope the hip is doing well

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Great! I feel bad when I don't get back to folks in a timely manner. Unfortunately the surgeon placed the hip in wrong. i will probably have to have another surgery. Thanks for asking...

[@58059236]

what is egg-timer for? I did not hear clearly though...

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Egg-timer is a program feature that allows you to set the timer for a spa or another side feature, like a waterfall. I apologize for the bad sound quality. I'm not an expert on these pumps (thus my call to Pentair) so I'd suggest if you have more specific questions best to call them. The woman who assisted me was very knowledgeable. Pentair number is 805-553-5000. Lucy

[@paulbaumgartner3545]

say your in your spa and want the pump to run and go thru your heater, select either pump 2,3,or 4, set up to egg timer to say run 2hrs at 1800 rpms. then when you go into the spa hit that pump # button that you pick out for that and it will run for 2 hrs. at that speed.hope that helped

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thanks Paul. I appreciate the more detailed response. The only thing I would add is that if you're setting the spa to run, you may want to set at a higher rpm than 1800... if you don't have a separate booster pump to run the jets. In other words, if the vsp is the only pump running your spa, you'd want to set it at near the maximum rpm's in order to get the full force of the jets. Most people would want a strong jet hitting their tired muscles. I really appreciate you answering the question in such a educated way. Feel free to jump in if you have other areas of knowledge. BTW: My new website is www.bestpoolhelp if you want to check it out. Thanks again, Lucy

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

I don't know if you've seen it but a nice gentleman, Paul Baumgartner, has shared his knowledge with us. I've added to his comment. Hopefully between the two of us you will have the answer you need. Thanks for the question. L

[@paulornelas3032]

They are very confusing at first but once you get the hang of them they are easy to program. You don't need to use the egg timers ,you should only use manual and schedule settings,program speed one around 2300 for 3 hours,program speed 2 for 1500 for 3 hours and speed 3-8 should be programmed at manual or disabled