Branded or Unbranded Pool Pump

shertiger on 31/03/2018 - 12:49
Last edited 31/03/2018 - 15:43 by 2 other users

Hi I need to get a new pump to power pool and spa. Installer recommends 1.5 hp. My research shows quite a gap between unbranded and branded pumps. Would appreciate some advice on which direction to go. I don't mind paying more if there is a genuine reason.

Ebay has this unbranded for $149 and the davey brand for $690

Pool and spa has Onya for $350
Amazon had the Hydroactive brand for $149+ delivery

The Davey is the only multi speed one which is supposed to give eco benefits but some of these pumps will turnover my pool water twice in 4 hours so I may only need to run for about 4-6 hours a day.

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  [Deactivated] on 31/03/2018 - 23:49

  +1

  The multi speed pumps run slower (use less power), and pump the water slower. My onga just burnt out, it was at least 8 years old (we have lived in the house for 8 years and the pump was here when we bought it).

  We replaced it with the one I have linked below. I figure 8 years is pretty good for a pump. I dunno how long you have had a pool for, but something goes wrong every year, we spend on average $1000/year on replacing stuff like filter, kreepy, krawly, pool blanket, fixing leaks, pool light etc.

  https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/subiaco/pool/pool-pump-onga-…

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  El Grande on 01/04/2018 - 00:48

  +1

  Hp doesn't mean anything. Good pumps have low Hp and high flow (energy efficient motors). eBay has some good stuff and some bad stuff. I would buy from a seller with high feedback you should be fine.

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  RockyRaccoon on 01/04/2018 - 10:21

  +1

  I bought a cheapy 6 years ago, it was still working fine, butI replaced it because I didn't really know what I was doing and got one too powerful for the pool. (2HP rather than 1.2HP) Worked well, but paid the price in increased power bills. So be carefl not to waste money on a pump that is more powerful than you need. It puts strain on pipes etc as well.

  Make sure that you dont fall into this trap thinking because its cheap and you think you get more bank for your buck.

  I now have a 1.2HP replacement and that was ⅓ the price of a name brand. So if it lasts as long as the other no name pump, I will be laughing.

  It looks very much like the Amazon one you are considering

  https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CENTAURUS-Swimming-Pool-Pump-19-…

  However you might want to do some maths. The Davey can use less power in the middle mode 720W vs the cheap 1.2Hp unit (900W), The extra 180w will add up over the lifetime of the pool pump - depending also on how long you expect to live there times the hours it runs each day.

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  madreece on 01/04/2018 - 10:37

  +1

  I also bought a cheap pump from eBay. $129 delivered. 1.6hp. has worked just fine for 18 months so far. Pool shop quoted $800 for a pump, so I thought I would give a cheap one a try, So far , so good, but I might have just got the good machine.

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  shertiger on 01/04/2018 - 13:05

  Thanks guys. Currently thinking onga brand with 3 year warranty for about $300 1.5hp. Can't find a reasonable eco one with 1.5hp at max. The Davey apparently is 1.0hp at max.

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    RockyRaccoon on 01/04/2018 - 17:22

    +1

    Just keep in mind if you are running a Clorinator (salt based), then it can only convert the salt at a set rate. Faster flow wont increase the amount of chlorine as the cell can only convert at a specific rate. Personally I would look at the HP rating of

    1. The pump you are replacing, and

    2. what the pool guy recommended, or some average of the two.

    Faster pump flow, with a larger pump doesnt mean power saving. For example a 600Watt pump running for 6 hours, consumes the same power as a 900watt pump running for 4 hours (or close).

    Again, too much flow puts pressure on the pipes and filter, which can weaken these - leading to early replacement.