dual speed pump control?

prop-frags · 10/25/2006, 01:41 PM

I need your help on an idea I have been developing to save energy in my reef system. My setup has about 300 gallons of total water volume, and I have recently upgraded to a larger capacity chiller. The bigger chiller requires higher water flow rates. Pumping water through a chiller is a waste of energy if the water temperature is less than the chiller's set point (i.e., the chiller isn't running). During the night and periods of colder weather, this will be a lot of the time.

Here's what I want to do: somehow have either a dual-pump setup or a dual-speed pump control that can "idle" at a very low flow just to keep the water in the chiller from getting nasty and keeping the chiller's temperature controller accurately informed of the system water temperature, and then kick up to full flow when the chiller needs to kick in.

Has anyone ever tried this? Any ideas?

BeanAnimal · 10/25/2006, 01:46 PM

many spa pumps are dual speed. You may be able to adapt one of those motors to a wet end from one of the little giants or similar.

Using two pumps in series would also work... one low flow, the other high flow. You would only need to run one or the other.

You could also run them in parallel with a check valve at each output, to prevent parasitic bypassing.

Actuated valves and/or solenoids could be used to switch pumps in and out...

I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend to save a few watts.

Bean

BeanAnimal · 10/25/2006, 03:16 PM

What are the flow reuirements for your chiller and what pump are you running?

prop-frags · 10/25/2006, 07:12 PM

Thanks Bean. I know what you mean about the expense to save a few watts. It will need to be pretty simple, or the ROI wont cut it...

The new chiller is rated:
Min 10 GPM, Max 30 GPM

I'm using a Panworld 50 PX-X

10/25/2006, 01:41 PM	#1
prop-frags SPS Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,388	dual speed pump control? I need your help on an idea I have been developing to save energy in my reef system. My setup has about 300 gallons of total water volume, and I have recently upgraded to a larger capacity chiller. The bigger chiller requires higher water flow rates. Pumping water through a chiller is a waste of energy if the water temperature is less than the chiller's set point (i.e., the chiller isn't running). During the night and periods of colder weather, this will be a lot of the time. Here's what I want to do: somehow have either a dual-pump setup or a dual-speed pump control that can "idle" at a very low flow just to keep the water in the chiller from getting nasty and keeping the chiller's temperature controller accurately informed of the system water temperature, and then kick up to full flow when the chiller needs to kick in. Has anyone ever tried this? Any ideas? __________________ - Mike & Terry "Less technology, more biology ... indeed." - Gary White Current Tank Info: 200g temp garage tank

10/25/2006, 07:12 PM	#4
prop-frags SPS Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,388	Thanks Bean. I know what you mean about the expense to save a few watts. It will need to be pretty simple, or the ROI wont cut it... The new chiller is rated: Min 10 GPM, Max 30 GPM I'm using a Panworld 50 PX-X __________________ - Mike & Terry "Less technology, more biology ... indeed." - Gary White Current Tank Info: 200g temp garage tank

10/25/2006, 01:46 PM	#2
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	many spa pumps are dual speed. You may be able to adapt one of those motors to a wet end from one of the little giants or similar. Using two pumps in series would also work... one low flow, the other high flow. You would only need to run one or the other. You could also run them in parallel with a check valve at each output, to prevent parasitic bypassing. Actuated valves and/or solenoids could be used to switch pumps in and out... I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend to save a few watts. Bean

10/25/2006, 03:16 PM	#3
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	What are the flow reuirements for your chiller and what pump are you running?