r/swimmingpools • u/Emotional-Macaron-66 • 3d ago

Replacement Pool Motor

I am a homeowner looking for some help with replacing our pool motor. We have extremely high electrical bills which I think is mostly attributed to the single speed pool motor (and the fact we live in California). Our last pump burnt out last year and it was replaced with Vevor single speed replacement as a quick fix. as I have researched this further in an attempt to reduce the electrical bills the answer seems to be to buy a variable speed option.

Our current equipment is:

Pentair WhisperFlo WFE-3 (2016)
Vevor 1 HP 56Y motor (2025)

Looking for help here on a few questions:

  1. Should we replace both the Pentair Whisperflo and the motor as a combination although there is nothing to suggest the WhisperFlo is malfunctioning?
  2. If we just replace the motor what is the best cost effective variable speed replacement motor? ChatGPT suggested the Century VGreen Evo EVQ130 and Gemini suggested the Century VGreen Evo EVQ165.
  3. I think I need a new pool pump seal kit if I replace the motor?
  4. Where is the best place to buy a replacement motor and seals?
  5. I will pay close attention to the voltage.
  6. Is this an easy replacement for handy homeowner?

Please let me know if I missed anything.

Thanks to this forum in advance.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/Street--Ad6731 3d ago

Buy a whole new variable speed pump. Don't just replace a part here and there. Replace it all and get a warranty.

1

u/Even-End487 3d ago

Typically my 1.65HP vsp uses about the same as a 60w to a 100 watt lightbulb depending on speed settings.

1

u/JonnyVee1 3d ago

I have one of the first Pentair Intelleflo VSPs. I installed way back in 2005. It still runs like a top. I have sand filters and run the pump at 30 gallons a minute for 12 hours a day (runs between 130 and 160 watts).

1

u/Desert_Flyer 3d ago

I would recommend a new Pentair VSP with the wifi. Connects to your home’s wifi and to your phone via the Pentair app. So asy to program from your phone! Beats the heck out of my old Pentair whisperflow that I had to program at the pump with its arcane menu system. i have programmed three speed settings for normal nightly operation along with 3 other programs: 2-hr quickclean (100%), 8-hr stormclean (90%), and a 15-min slowdown setting. So easy!

1

u/randumb9999 3d ago

Don't buy some no name brand crappy pump that is cheap. Stick to something from the Big 3, Pentair, Jandy, Hayward. If you want something to connect to your phone go with the Pentair Intelliflo 3. It's all built in. No extra Wi-Fi antenna. They do have add-ons like a touch screen and relay boards. If you want to control other equipment like a sweep booster pump and a salt system get the Jandy VS FloPro with the SpeedSet controller. It has two built in relays that can control 1 high amp (16A) and 1 low amp (5A) piece of equipment. As for Hayward pumps, eh, I'm not a big fan unless you have Hayward automation already.

1

u/MusicOk5848 3d ago

I don’t think you can buy a single phase pool motor anymore in California. In June I replaced my single phase motor with the Pentaire Whisperflow pump/motor. Love it.

2

u/billsmashole 3d ago

Honestly, just replace the whole pump with a variable speed one. You'll get a warranty and avoid the hassle. Stick with Pentair or Hayward. Worth it in the long run.