On 12/13/2012 6:36 PM, sms wrote:
On 12/13/2012 11:26 AM, gonjah wrote:
On 12/13/2012 1:14 PM, SMS wrote:
On 12/13/2012 11:06 AM, gonjah wrote:
On 12/13/2012 1:00 PM, SMS wrote:
On 12/12/2012 2:00 PM, gonjah wrote:

snip

I noticed that Home Depot now sells pool pumps as well.



Thanks. I'll keep an ear out for more info. This is the first I've
heard
of this.

Home Depot sells the Sta-Rite Flotec FPT20515 1.5HP two speed pump for
$500, and it's legal for CA, AZ, and FL. Sears has it on sale for
$410,
plus you can get $35 more off with promo code
SEARS35OFF300AFFILIATEDEALS which brings it down to $375. A 1.5HP
variable speed pump is about $900.

This isn't like a 30 speed bicycle versus a 3 speed bicycle,
there's no
real upside in having more than two speeds on a pool pump, and the
additional complexity and expense is undesirable.


Thanks again:

I do like those prices.

The advantage of a DC is you can turn it down WAY low and let it run
constantly like during a freeze. We don't empty our pools here.

If it were too slow, wouldn't the pool would still freeze? We don't have
freezes where I live so I don't know about that.

But you're right, it's usually a fine line between up front costs and
overall savings. With pumps running $1600 it's real hard to recoup the
difference.

The variable speed pumps are outrageously priced. Coupled with their
shorter service life I doubt if you'd ever see anything close to the
savings versus a two speed pump. I don't like all the timer controls
built into the pump either.

The manual for the Flotec pump is at
http://www.flotecpump.com/resources/images/39954.pdf. I don't know if
I'd put a waterproof toggle switch into the motor housing or run another
wire up to a switch in the timer box.

I think I'd buy it with an AMEX card to get 2x the warranty.



Sounds like you have a plan. I just bought my pump about 2 years ago(?).
So I have awhile to think about it.

When it freezes here it's usually around midnight. So i have to turn it
on at bedtime. They are usually light freezes. Just enough to crack a
housing or multi-valve. A 2 speed would be a vast improvement.

Intermatic does make an automatic freeze detector that turns on the
equipment at a temperature that you set
http://www.intermatic.com/en/Products/Pool_and_Spa/Specialty_Controls/Freeze_Protection_Controls/PF1100_Timer_Series/PF1102.aspx
and they also have a model that combines it with a timer.


I need one of those.