Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pentair Product Technician-Ben on January 3, 2012 at 8:58am

If you currently have a Whisperflo pump, it would practically be plug and play since the housings are almost identical.  You will probably have to do some plumbing to fit the pump, and you will have to have a 220v power supply to the pump.

1 1/2" pipes will work (although not ideal), but you should limit the pump once installed to prevent accidentally running it too fast. 

Some rebates require that the pump can change speeds, FYI.  I'd recommend the 011018 intelliflo given your setup.  You can activate this pump via a time clock that breaks both legs of power, but that limits you to one speed (whatever is enough for the cleaner pump and/or intellichlor).  A suntouch system would control all that and is still a cost effective option. 

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Permalink Reply by bill moyer on January 5, 2012 at 12:31pm

Hi Ben, thanks for your info.  I plan on purchasing the 11018 online and installing it myself. I intend to keep the Intermatic  timer for now and just remove the on/off dogs and use the pump's timer.   One question:  Do I still have to run my booster pump for my Legend  cleaner.  I assume I do. Thanks.  I've included photos of my setup.

Attachments:

• pump1 1-3-2012 3-39-15 PM.JPG, 57 KB
• pump2 1-3-2012 3-39-27 PM.JPG, 55 KB
• pump3 1-3-2012 3-39-36 PM.JPG, 57 KB

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Permalink Reply by Pentair Product Technician-Ben on January 6, 2012 at 6:43am

You will still need that booster pump, but be sure the pump runs when the booster pump does so it does not run dry.

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Permalink Reply by bill moyer on January 6, 2012 at 10:12am

Thanks...that shouldn't be a problem since the way my system's set up now, the booster pump will not start unless the main pump is running and I manually turn the booster on for the cleaner.  

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Permalink Reply by bill moyer on February 25, 2012 at 4:47pm

Ben, I went ahead and purchased the 11018 pump and am in the process of installing it.  My old pump (Superflo) has 1'1/2" ports and this new one has 2" openings.  Any suggestion on how to match the new pump up with my old equipment?  Also the Unions I used for my old pump are female, but the new pump has only female threads.  I've uploaded some new photos and appreciate any help.

thanks again,

bill

Pentair Product Technician-Ben said:

If you currently have a Whisperflo pump, it would practically be plug and play since the housings are almost identical.  You will probably have to do some plumbing to fit the pump, and you will have to have a 220v power supply to the pump.

1 1/2" pipes will work (although not ideal), but you should limit the pump once installed to prevent accidentally running it too fast. 

Some rebates require that the pump can change speeds, FYI.  I'd recommend the 011018 intelliflo given your setup.  You can activate this pump via a time clock that breaks both legs of power, but that limits you to one speed (whatever is enough for the cleaner pump and/or intellichlor).  A suntouch system would control all that and is still a cost effective option. 

Attachments:

• Poolpumpconvert 024 (800x600) (800x600).jpg, 249 KB
• Poolpumpconvert 023 (800x600) (800x600).jpg, 201 KB
• Poolpumpconvert 026 (800x600).jpg, 217 KB

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Permalink Reply by Robert Kaufman on February 26, 2012 at 3:54pm

Hi Bill,

Your 011018 has 2" female threads on both ports.  You can purchase a PVC connector that has 2" male threads on one end and 1-1/2 slip fit on the other.  Doubt that you'd find it at a Home Depot, but most pool supply stores should carry them.  At Home Depot (or similar stores) you'll find the 2" male to 2" slip fit, and then you add a reducer from 2" down to 1-1/2".   If your pool was originally plumbed with 1-1/2", most likely your underground piping is 1-1/2 as well, so it doesn't help to change over to 2" anyway.  Besides, the 1-1/2" will be fine with the 011018, as you control the speed.  The only time you MIGHT have a problem is if you're running at the highest speed, in which case you might get a little cavitation due to not being able to draw enough water to support the higher speed.  If you do...just reduce the speed a little.  It'll work just fine!! 

bill moyer said:

Ben, I went ahead and purchased the 11018 pump and am in the process of installing it.  My old pump (Superflo) has 1'1/2" ports and this new one has 2" openings.  Any suggestion on how to match the new pump up with my old equipment?  Also the Unions I used for my old pump are female, but the new pump has only female threads.  I've uploaded some new photos and appreciate any help.

thanks again,

bill

Pentair Product Technician-Ben said:

If you currently have a Whisperflo pump, it would practically be plug and play since the housings are almost identical.  You will probably have to do some plumbing to fit the pump, and you will have to have a 220v power supply to the pump.

1 1/2" pipes will work (although not ideal), but you should limit the pump once installed to prevent accidentally running it too fast. 

Some rebates require that the pump can change speeds, FYI.  I'd recommend the 011018 intelliflo given your setup.  You can activate this pump via a time clock that breaks both legs of power, but that limits you to one speed (whatever is enough for the cleaner pump and/or intellichlor).  A suntouch system would control all that and is still a cost effective option. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by bill moyer on February 26, 2012 at 4:53pm

Hi Robert and thanks for your quick post.  I did go to HD today and got the parts I need.  One question:  when I make the threaded connections to the ports, should I use teflon tape?  Also, someone told me Pentair has unions with o-rings that would fit the 2" ports.  I was aware of limiting the pump speed since I have 1 1/2 pipes.  Thanks

Robert Kaufman said:

Hi Bill,

Your 011018 has 2" female threads on both ports.  You can purchase a PVC connector that has 2" male threads on one end and 1-1/2 slip fit on the other.  Doubt that you'd find it at a Home Depot, but most pool supply stores should carry them.  At Home Depot (or similar stores) you'll find the 2" male to 2" slip fit, and then you add a reducer from 2" down to 1-1/2".   If your pool was originally plumbed with 1-1/2", most likely your underground piping is 1-1/2 as well, so it doesn't help to change over to 2" anyway.  Besides, the 1-1/2" will be fine with the 011018, as you control the speed.  The only time you MIGHT have a problem is if you're running at the highest speed, in which case you might get a little cavitation due to not being able to draw enough water to support the higher speed.  If you do...just reduce the speed a little.  It'll work just fine!! 

bill moyer said:

Ben, I went ahead and purchased the 11018 pump and am in the process of installing it.  My old pump (Superflo) has 1'1/2" ports and this new one has 2" openings.  Any suggestion on how to match the new pump up with my old equipment?  Also the Unions I used for my old pump are female, but the new pump has only female threads.  I've uploaded some new photos and appreciate any help.

thanks again,

bill

Pentair Product Technician-Ben said:

If you currently have a Whisperflo pump, it would practically be plug and play since the housings are almost identical.  You will probably have to do some plumbing to fit the pump, and you will have to have a 220v power supply to the pump.

1 1/2" pipes will work (although not ideal), but you should limit the pump once installed to prevent accidentally running it too fast. 

Some rebates require that the pump can change speeds, FYI.  I'd recommend the 011018 intelliflo given your setup.  You can activate this pump via a time clock that breaks both legs of power, but that limits you to one speed (whatever is enough for the cleaner pump and/or intellichlor).  A suntouch system would control all that and is still a cost effective option. 

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Permalink Reply by Robert Kaufman on February 26, 2012 at 5:14pm

Hi Bill,

Yes, use teflon tape!  If you want to use a union, you can get them at HD also...but get the 1-1/2 (they're cheaper than the 2").  Just install them immediately after you've adapted down to 1-1/2.  If for any reason you need to replace the pump...you'll just unscrew the union, then unscrew the pieces out of the pump.  The unions aren't really necessary...without them you'd simply have to CUT your PVC, and then unscrew from the pump.  It's easy enough to then reattach where you cut with an inexpensive slip connector.  This way you save the $ you'd have spent on the union.

bill moyer said:

Hi Robert and thanks for your quick post.  I did go to HD today and got the parts I need.  One question:  when I make the threaded connections to the ports, should I use teflon tape?  Also, someone told me Pentair has unions with o-rings that would fit the 2" ports.  I was aware of limiting the pump speed since I have 1 1/2 pipes.  Thanks

Robert Kaufman said:

Hi Bill,

Your 011018 has 2" female threads on both ports.  You can purchase a PVC connector that has 2" male threads on one end and 1-1/2 slip fit on the other.  Doubt that you'd find it at a Home Depot, but most pool supply stores should carry them.  At Home Depot (or similar stores) you'll find the 2" male to 2" slip fit, and then you add a reducer from 2" down to 1-1/2".   If your pool was originally plumbed with 1-1/2", most likely your underground piping is 1-1/2 as well, so it doesn't help to change over to 2" anyway.  Besides, the 1-1/2" will be fine with the 011018, as you control the speed.  The only time you MIGHT have a problem is if you're running at the highest speed, in which case you might get a little cavitation due to not being able to draw enough water to support the higher speed.  If you do...just reduce the speed a little.  It'll work just fine!! 

bill moyer said:

Ben, I went ahead and purchased the 11018 pump and am in the process of installing it.  My old pump (Superflo) has 1'1/2" ports and this new one has 2" openings.  Any suggestion on how to match the new pump up with my old equipment?  Also the Unions I used for my old pump are female, but the new pump has only female threads.  I've uploaded some new photos and appreciate any help.

thanks again,

bill

Pentair Product Technician-Ben said:

If you currently have a Whisperflo pump, it would practically be plug and play since the housings are almost identical.  You will probably have to do some plumbing to fit the pump, and you will have to have a 220v power supply to the pump.

1 1/2" pipes will work (although not ideal), but you should limit the pump once installed to prevent accidentally running it too fast. 

Some rebates require that the pump can change speeds, FYI.  I'd recommend the 011018 intelliflo given your setup.  You can activate this pump via a time clock that breaks both legs of power, but that limits you to one speed (whatever is enough for the cleaner pump and/or intellichlor).  A suntouch system would control all that and is still a cost effective option. 

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Permalink Reply by Pentair Product Technician-Ben on February 27, 2012 at 7:37am

Just be careful with the tape.  Don't use too much, and don't over tighten if it leaks.  They also make a paste like thread sealant that I personally like to use on plumbing.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Stiles on July 7, 2012 at 10:11pm

I just upgraded from a Pentair Whisperflo to an Inteliflo.    Against the advice of Pentair I just did a simple swap out of the new motor and impeler reusing the 5 year old filter basket housing.   The old and new ones where identical.      It was quick and easy.   I used the new o ring and gaskets that came on the new pump.   My old housing looked like new or I might have used it.    I've changed pool pump motors several times in the past and am competent enough to do the simple wiring.    (make sure you open the circuit breaker before doing any wiring and make sure to follow the directions.)     No matter how careful I am I always seem to have a leak or problem when doing close quarter PVC plumping work so avoided that.    I found the information on this discussion helpful so thought I would add my 2 cents.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Andy Jakubas on July 12, 2012 at 1:54pm

Hi Steven.  I am about to do the exact same thing, bolt a new Intelliflo VS pump backend to an existing Whisperflo wet end without touching the plumbing.  I am curious why this would be "against the advice of Pentair", other than maybe the Whisperflo wet end being too old.  Could you possibly expand on the advice Pentair gave you?

Steven Stiles said:

I just upgraded from a Pentair Whisperflo to an Inteliflo.    Against the advice of Pentair I just did a simple swap out of the new motor and impeler reusing the 5 year old filter basket housing.   The old and new ones where identical.      It was quick and easy.   I used the new o ring and gaskets that came on the new pump.   My old housing looked like new or I might have used it.    I've changed pool pump motors several times in the past and am competent enough to do the simple wiring.    (make sure you open the circuit breaker before doing any wiring and make sure to follow the directions.)     No matter how careful I am I always seem to have a leak or problem when doing close quarter PVC plumping work so avoided that.    I found the information on this discussion helpful so thought I would add my 2 cents.

 

 

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