Replacement pool pump required.

[YorkshireTyke]

I am a complete novice of how pools work, for 8 years I've left it to the pool team to sort out any minor problems. In fact I've tried posting photos yesterday of my pool room to ask how it works and what do the 4 pipes coming out of the ground do.

 

I've had to take an interest as the pool pump is leaking, it's been patched up a few times and is about 11 years old. Its a Poolrite EP930 which is 1.25 HP. I know Poolrite is an Australian company who don't operate in Thailand anymore so I will be changing manufacturer.

 

I'm looking on Lazada and Shopee at a Emaux SC150, so 1.5 HP, will that do the job?

Also may have a chance to get a 2 year old Hayward super pump, also 1.5 HP, also compatible?

 

I presume I will have to change some pipe/fittings to fit if it's a different size, are these just plumbing pipes available from Homepro/Thai Whatsadu etc or specialist pool pipes from a pool shop?

 

Where is your pump mounted? is it on the floor? Because of the height of the inlet and outlet pipes mine is currently stood on 3 breeze blocks so not really firm and secure, how should I mount it?

 

Any advice appreciated as I do really know nothing and although the pool team do a great job of cleaning their technical knowledge is only as good as mine.

 

I will try to post photos of my setup later, yesterday I kept getting server error although I was using my phone to post, not my laptop.

[SantiSuk]

Very brave of you (or do I mean foolhardy?????) to think you can fit a replacement pump given your limited knowledge of how pools work.
 

I reckon the question you should be asking is. "My pool is in {insert area where you live}. Does anyone have a recommendation for a pool company/shop that will advise on an appropriate replacement and do a supply and fit?".

 

If you lived in the northern half of Isaan I would recommend Swimming Pools Thailand. (Southern half and their travel costs get a bit chunky in relation to the size of the job - I do use them but my requirements have usually been for several bits of kit at any one time)
 

Good luck, from another Yorkshireman in Thailand!

[YorkshireTyke]

Thank you for your reply. As the system is already in place I don't see changing a pump as a big job, however, it would be my engineer friend who has already done electrical, plumbing, air con and tiling work at my house who would undertake the task. He can fit plumbing joints so I see that as the main task or are you telling me different?

 

I live in Hua Hin and on a local forum a few weeks ago a guy asked a similar question as he has been to 2 local pool people and said the quotes were excessive!

[YorkshireTyke]

How the system works is just for my personal satisfaction in case there is a problem in the future. 

[SantiSuk]

I guess my concern if I were doing it to my system is how does one stop the pool not emptying its contents into your machine room, but if someone can address that then maybe I could be tempted to have a go. [Probably not - I'm too risk averse - I'm the sort that believes in paying for pros and having been a pro in another profession I have the resources to do that (but I would never knock those that have to or want to look for cheaper solutions]. I think my pump is a bit lower than the top water line of the pool - maybe you have to partially empty the pool in those circs but I'll bet the pool builders have some tricks to circumvent that.

 

I am sure you need to fix the pump more steadily than you describe its current fixing status. You risk vibrations being pushed around the pipework and eventually compromising some seals (I would guess). I'd expect to build a concrete platform/block using formwork onto the floor to provide a stable base; should be within a decent builder's competence. Whether they are good at getting the alignment right is down to their experience/professionalism I guess. Alternatively the pump's input and output pipework can possibly be remodelled so that it reaches down to a pump fixed to the existing floor level.
 

Emaux pumps have always done the job for me but no doubt Bagwain (an experienced pro who comments on this forum) will be along to tell you about something he believes to be better. As I understand it Hayward are good quality, but expensive in Thailand.

I have a 90,000 litre pool (including reserve tank) and Swimming Pools Thailand advised me to use a 1.0 HP Emaux pump at the initial build stage. I got to thinking it was a little bit underpowered, so I upgraded to 1.5 HP when I replaced it after 10 years (the old one was by then leaking a bit past the main joint seal half way along the pump; could have tried new seals but wanted to upgrade anyway to ensure I got the right solution without paying for a second visit if new seals didn't solve the problem after 1st visit).

As before - good luck!

[DrDave]

Normally, if the pump is leaking you would only need to replace the actual pump portion of the pump/motor combination. Just as in the case of a car whose transmission fails, you replace only the transmission and not the whole engine/transmission assembly. But... in your case with the manufacturer not operating in Thailand any longer, you may have no choice other than to replace the whole pump.  With that said, Hayward makes a very good pump.

When I needed to replace a pump, I ordered the same brand and model because I thought it would be a simple swap out with no plumbing modifications required. I was wrong though, as the inlet and outlet locations changed slightly in the newer version. In any event, you will most likely have to modify some of the plumbing when installing a new unit. Make sure you get new union fittings for connecting to the new pump, as you probably won't be able to re-use the existing ones.

Pumps are usually mounted on a concrete slab or pad. You may want to consider pouring a small slab. You'll definitely need to modify the inlet and outlet pipes to accommodate a different pump location, but try to avoid adding sharp angles if possible.

 

[Bagwain]

Sometimes having the pump on blocks is a good idea. It may help when exchanging to a different model. Your friend who has done work for you before would have no problem installing a different model. Even with no experience it could be done in under 1 hour. Pumps come with new couplings but you may need to adjust the current in/out pipes. Your current pump is way over its use by date anyway! Impellor is most likely worn as well. Emuax are an OK brand and Haywood IMHO are way over priced.

Poolrite was bankrupted years ago in Australia. The main dealer for Poolrite in Thailand was GDL based in Hua Hin!

[YorkshireTyke]

1 hour ago, Bagwain said:

Sometimes having the pump on blocks is a good idea. It may help when exchanging to a different model. Your friend who has done work for you before would have no problem installing a different model. Even with no experience it could be done in under 1 hour. Pumps come with new couplings but you may need to adjust the current in/out pipes. Your current pump is way over its use by date anyway! Impellor is most likely worn as well. Emuax are an OK brand and Haywood IMHO are way over priced.

Poolrite was bankrupted years ago in Australia. The main dealer for Poolrite in Thailand was GDL based in Hua Hin!

Yes, I've just watched a couple of videos on Youtube and looks no more difficult than any domestic plumbing job.

You are correct about GDL, I actually booked them to come and check my system a few weeks ago but I cancelled as I had to go away. I don't think you are correct about Poolrite though as not only are they still trading in Aus even my pump model is still available. See Mr Pool Man in Aus.

Poolrite Pumps (mrpoolman.com.au)

[Bagwain]

6 hours ago, YorkshireTyke said:

Yes, I've just watched a couple of videos on Youtube and looks no more difficult than any domestic plumbing job.

You are correct about GDL, I actually booked them to come and check my system a few weeks ago but I cancelled as I had to go away. I don't think you are correct about Poolrite though as not only are they still trading in Aus even my pump model is still available. See Mr Pool Man in Aus.

Poolrite Pumps (mrpoolman.com.au)

Then someone took over the name and has negotiated with the equipment supplier in China as I know full well "Who" used the bankruptcy as a tax loss! 

Pool Man is an online store and sells multiple brands not just Poolrite. 

[YorkshireTyke]

18 hours ago, Bagwain said:

 

Pool Man is an online store and sells multiple brands not just Poolrite. 

I am well aware of that , so is GLD, not sure what your point is there?   It doesn't alter the fact the Poolrite brand has always been available just not in Thailand. You obviously weren't aware.

[Bagwain]

21 hours ago, YorkshireTyke said:

I am well aware of that , so is GLD, not sure what your point is there?   It doesn't alter the fact the Poolrite brand has always been available just not in Thailand. You obviously weren't aware.

FYI that brand was not available for sometime. That is why it became unavailable in Thailand. I personally know the guy who bought Poolrite equipment brand owned it for a couple of years and folded it. Someone else has taken up the batten and run with it. I don't particularly care as it is history!

[Bagwain]

On 9/8/2022 at 7:23 PM, SantiSuk said:

I guess my concern if I were doing it to my system is how does one stop the pool not emptying its contents into your machine room, but if someone can address that then maybe I could be tempted to have a go. [Probably not - I'm too risk averse - I'm the sort that believes in paying for pros and having been a pro in another profession I have the resources to do that (but I would never knock those that have to or want to look for cheaper solutions]. I think my pump is a bit lower than the top water line of the pool - maybe you have to partially empty the pool in those circs but I'll bet the pool builders have some tricks to circumvent that.

 

I am sure you need to fix the pump more steadily than you describe its current fixing status. You risk vibrations being pushed around the pipework and eventually compromising some seals (I would guess). I'd expect to build a concrete platform/block using formwork onto the floor to provide a stable base; should be within a decent builder's competence. Whether they are good at getting the alignment right is down to their experience/professionalism I guess. Alternatively the pump's input and output pipework can possibly be remodelled so that it reaches down to a pump fixed to the existing floor level.
 

Emaux pumps have always done the job for me but no doubt Bagwain (an experienced pro who comments on this forum) will be along to tell you about something he believes to be better. As I understand it Hayward are good quality, but expensive in Thailand.

I have a 90,000 litre pool (including reserve tank) and Swimming Pools Thailand advised me to use a 1.0 HP Emaux pump at the initial build stage. I got to thinking it was a little bit underpowered, so I upgraded to 1.5 HP when I replaced it after 10 years (the old one was by then leaking a bit past the main joint seal half way along the pump; could have tried new seals but wanted to upgrade anyway to ensure I got the right solution without paying for a second visit if new seals didn't solve the problem after 1st visit).

As before - good luck!

Some good info there. When the pump room is below the water line in most cases, if not to much, then normally the 3 piece ball valves should be placed above the waterline! See pictures for 8 valves we replaced and increased height to above waterline. 

 

1 hp pump for a 90, k litre pool is a joke. You where wise to upgrade to 1.5. Depending on the size of the filter, even 2hp would have been good. 

[YorkshireTyke]

Can someone (Bagwain?) explain the flow pattern? In the first photo there are 3 pipes coming out of the ground so call them 1, 2 and 3 from left to right. Then number 4 on the second photo on the extreme right from the filter to the ground, is that only for backwash as the red valve is in the off position?

When I turn the pump on how does the water flow from the pool and back to the pool?

 

I presume to change the pump the two red valves need to be in the off position to prevent the flooding mentioned by a poster above?

[Saanim]

On your question of pump replacement: you can take any pump 1.1 - 1.5 kW as you find on Lazada or Global House for some 8,000 Baht. It will serve you well over years as it serves me.  

 

On your question of piping: you should draw a diagram how the pipes go, to understand it better.  In general, all sucking pipes (at the pool bottom) have to go into sucking side of the pump, the outlet from pump goes to filter. And from there to all inlets into the pool. 

 

Important: each inlet and outlet pipe should be controlled by a valve in order to regulate an equal sucking intake and an equal feeding input flow. (Or any flow in different pool location as per your liking).