pool pump Cancel The title field is required!

1. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   8/30/2012 2:08 PM

   Lucky me I get to install a new pool pump.The pool was 50,000 gallons in 1955 theen 50,000 addition added years ago......The inlet lines are 3 inch skimmer 2 1/2 inch from a line half way down thee side in the deep end and a 2 inch line capped off.I think this was off the main drain.I can uncap it after labor day to see if it is live.The return line is 2 and 1/2 inch.At some time a residential 2hp pump was installed.I am trying to figure out what the biggest pump I can put in is.The pump is located below the pool.The turn over rate is grandfathered in so matching the piping is my biggest concern.Anyone have any ideas?
   Thanks in advance .
   Mark

   
   
   
   
2. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   8/31/2012 10:08 AM

   Mark- I clicked on this thinking I could make a school boy problem out of it for my Ag Math class. So you have 100K gallons in the pool. My county requires an 8 hour turnover, you say you are grandfathered into what must be a much slower rate. Anyway, 100K is 12,500 an hour or 208gpm. Seems like alot for 2" discharge pipe. I'm no help but interested. Good luck. I've read your posts for years and know you are a smart guy. If the health department is happy with 2hp maybe that is the way to go. I had to change one out once on July 4th weekend. Crawling around on the floor I distinctly remember gas Cl is heavier than air. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.

   
   
   
   
3. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   8/31/2012 10:08 AM

   Kenneth, I can appease the health department with what I have but I had to get an outside the pool vaccume.I would like to get a commercial pump and have found one at 5.5 hp but it has 4 inch openings and is 3 phase.I can get three phase I am just not sure if the pipeing will allow enough water in or if water out will be too much head presure on the pump.The two hp pumps burn out each year.
   Mark

   
   
   
   
4. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   8/31/2012 1:08 PM

   To heck with Ag Math class, this is one for Ag Engineering! Forgot to ask if this is a centrifigal pump, most are. You could use a gate valve on the discharge side to throttle down a 5.5 hp centrifigal pump right? I don't think it would overheat or harm the pump. I think the 5ft. per second rule we use on irrigation pipes is irrelevant in this case also. But those 4" flanges are telling you what that pump is sized to accomplish. Just not sure. Don't know if Woody Outlaw or any of the Flowtronics guys in VA work with you but maybe they could help. Ken

   
   
   
   
5. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   8/31/2012 2:08 PM

   Might check with the National Rec and Park Association.
   
   I know there are some laws on how powerful the pump may be, we had to change a lot of pumps out of our pools to replace pumps that might be too powerful and are dangerous to young children.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
6. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   8/31/2012 3:08 PM

   Mel is right Mark. That could be a huge consideration. Ken

   
   
   
   
7. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   9/2/2012 3:09 PM

   Local town pool put in 7 or 7.5 n order to get turn over and we are about the same size.I am ok as for too big just not sure about pipeing.If that 2 inch line is indeed the main and live I think I am ok if not I am in that so close range that I was hoping to be sure before I hook up.