I had my pool built by Dolphin pools here in Phoenix, Arizona, that's the pump that was included with the 10,300 gallon pool package I selected. I love the way I can adjust the pump RPM, at night I have it going at around 75%. And I turn it on during the day at around 45% just to run the water through the filter. I had one small issue with it. It would turn off after around 25 seconds after coming on for no reason at all once in a while, I would clear it by turning the breakers off for a few minutes and then turn them back on, and it would run normally again for a while. I called Dolphin pools up and they sent a Hayward repair man over and he replaced a circuit board under warranty. Has not done it since then and that was around four months ago.

Dinner tonight my family was smiling as our Hayward tristar VS900 arrived today - I then rationed the cup of lima beans.

Cannot wait to see this in action... 13 year old Pentair started smoking and decided to go with Hayward 900. Thanks for all the data. I have mixed 2" and 1.5" so the sweet spot can be found... I initially was gonna go with the Super Pump 700 but the basket size pushed me to the 900series

Fantastic video, I’ve worked with you a bit on a lack of full prime in the skimmer basket of the pump which I think maybe be due to have 1.5” pipes to and from the pool, but other than that the pump has been great. Having a flow meter is a must to help determine the optimal speeds and hours to get the 3x turnover. I’ve learned a ton for you and your content.

Just bought the Jacuzzi version of this. Same pump, private labelled for Jacuzzi, better deal at the time. I decided to go with it because of your videos about it.

Absolutely love mine, 2 1.5 inch suction lines and 3 1.5 inch returns with 2 inch waterfall line. 110 gpm! Thanks for the amazing info!

Great video. We have been running the SP3400SP for a little over ten years. We love it however it is on its third drive controller board. The first two Hayward replaced under warranty however the last one I just replaced was just out of warranty. When we installed the pump originally in 2012 the cost was 899.00 which has now climbed to around 2200.00. We also got a fairly large rebate from the power company in 2012.

Great Video Steve!, Fortunately I replaced my pump at opening this year and my pool guy supplied this pump! I watch your videos al the time so I am thrilled it gets your approval...Also it was cool to find out you are from Paris! Born and raised in Burford here.

I love you swimming pool Steve and your videos :) personally only issue I’ve seen with Hayward Tristar’s is the pump body likes to split at the seam on the top threads for the union. Otherwise great pump! I’ve seen 3 of these on 1 street leaking from the same place :(

I’ve installed three of these so far and love love love them!

Really fascinating. In my area of the US it seems the 3hp Pentair Inteliflo is the go-to pump even though it's quite expensive and overpowered (at top rpm) for nearly all pools. I have one for 20k gallons. At 1200 rpm it moves 38 gal/min at 110 watts silently. (For 2 x 1.5 hours it runs at 2200 rpm, 75 gal/min, to get the skimmers flowing.) It would be absolutely great to see a comparison episode. Incidentally, thanks for the tip on flow meters. It's _not_ normal to have one here in the U.S., but I find it makes many things simpler. nb: The reputation down here - I've seen no actual data - is that pump "guts" - motors, seals, bearings, impellers etc. - of Hayward pumps tend to have lower lifetime than Pentair.

So Steve, what is the most efficient 3/4HP pump on the market today? Is there an energy efficient, affordable, but powwrful 3/4hp pool pump? I don't normally leave coments but your information is the most accurate and you are able to explain compex hydrologic issues in a way that is easy to understand, more than others. I totally agree that Hayward puts out some of the most reliable products, judging solely from my own personal experience with the 1.5 hp power-flow matrix and the, now outdate filter it came with 20 years ago. I also don't think you were bought off by Hayward to do this video, as you assured us in the beginning, you seem to have far too much integrity for that. As you probably know single speed pumps are no longer available in CA, California not Canada, and maybe not in Canada either, I'm not complaining about the law either, because I can no longer afford to run my 1.5 hayward power-flo matrix anyway even if it was legal. After investing in solar panels, experimenting with 4700 gpm bilge pumps, making a filter and a solar powered copper ionizer, I finally broke down and purchaced a cheap Chinese solar pool pump, Vevor 900w 72 amp that is supposedly 1.2HP, but, from reveiwes ive read as well as my own estimates and comparison to the old reliable hayward 1.5 pump, using the exact same 1.5" pvc and a large hayward sand filter, I estimate it to be maybe .8hp and less than 75gpm, durring full sun exposure, it does not have a battery option, I do have batteries on another string of solar panels that can run the bilge pumps and the small intex pump that came with the pool initially, but that set up is almost neglable, both the two inlets and the one outlet are well below the waterline and it just seems so cheep all the way around that I just don't trust it. I am at a cross roads with deciding how to proceed, I need a pool for physical therapy in the summer but I'm also on a fixed income so I can't keep throwing money at it. I'd be money ahead if I would have purchaced the hayward pump in this video two years ago however I am so far down the solar path that it would be kinda ridiculous to go back to a large expensive variable speed pump at this stage. I am very interested in getting a 3/4 to 1HP pump that is efficient and powerful, it doesnt matter if it meets the CA standard because i intend to power it with solar panels and an inverter. I was able to run the .65, intex pump and sand filter that came with the 16x32x4.5' pool, but it is so cheep, low flow output that I don't think it is viable, it also has both the inlet and outlet well below the waterline and if I hookup a surface skimmer I have to block off ine of the two I let's, that what the instructions recomend and is a testimony to how cheep these pumps are. IF there is a super powerful and efficient 3/4, afordable 3/4 or 1hp pump I haven't found it yet, i think it's important to keep a working, non-solar pump available so that's my first choice. The only other option, i can see is to buy more used solar panels and another Vevor pump, maybe the 500w 48v one, that would cost about the same as a midrange variable speed pump but it would be cheaper in the long run, no electric bill at all and I'd just keep the old reliable hayward on hand for emergencies. Is it possible that even though all the pumps I'm running add up to well over what is needed to filter the total volume of the pool that using a bunch of small pumps is not as efficient as one large one? Thanks Keep up the good work, just so you know your program is effective, two of the main take aways I've learned from you, after 20+ years of pool ownership are, increase distance of the inlet to the pump and to scrub the sides and bottom of the pool weekly, I had a short pipe with a 90 in it before watching your show and I always thought my pool bug would take care of the crud that naturally developes, especiallyin the heatwave.

Hey Steve ....moved from Toronto to Philippines a month ago ....intend to live here , as well build a home & pool . Great explanation/ info provided by you . Disappointed can't purchase on line ....oh well ....wife will return to Canada every 6 mths . Thanks

we're putting in a 20k gallon pool with a few return lines + 2 waterfalls, our contract had this pump in it but our builder gave us a "free upgrade" to the 950 saying it would be better for our circumstances. Hoping this was wise

Great video, Steve. I appreciate all of the knowledge you share. I have a 20,000 gallon pool with 1.5" plumbing - 1 floor drain, skimmer, and 2 returns. Based on what I'm seeing in this video, the lowest setting of 1,500 RPM on this pump would produce the max efficient flow. Is there a smaller pump that you would recommend that would allow me to run at lower RPMs where I'm getting 20 gpm vs 38 gpm as you suggested?

great video Steve. We have a 16000 gallon kidney shaped pool in california, and we want to run a new VS with a solar pool heater, are the issues regarding the 1.85hp vs the bigger 2.7hp (the VS95) still applicable? Struggling to figure out how to calculate the needed draw

Just bought the pump. It is awesome so far and super quiet.

Thank you for the information you provided. It helped me out very much over the years! I've just rewired my pool pump outlet for 220v vs 120v because my next pump failure I want to install a VS pump based on your data driven advice. My question is, is pump basket capacity a major consideration in reality? I have a Hayward Superpump now with quite a large basket. But, everything always seems to get jammed against the intake, the rest of the basket remains pretty much debris free. Regardless of the basket size, wouldn't the same thing happen with any basket?

Great review, you convinced me.....I have a pool with about 25,000 gallons with a SPA....currently on a Haywood Northstar with a 2HP ...should I go with the 1.85 or 2.7 GPH model?

Love the video! My pool builder supplied this Hayward unit with the Hayward Automation. Is there a way to add the flow meter and read it via my phone? Would love to also display some of the other data like amp draw etc. Thanks for all the great videos!

Thanks for the video! Have a recommendation on which flow meter please?

Steve love yer videos, so much info! Could you explain pipe size in more detail? When you say 2.5" suction, does that mean the pipes from the skimmer baskets and the deep end double drain holes are 2.5" all the way to the filter? Can they bend 2.5 pipe around a radius?

What I run on my pool and also a majority of our new builds. 950/900/700

Hola Steve from Mexico, Thank you very much for this super informativ video. We are currently building a new pool here in Mexico for a guest house and it is pain in the ... to get good advice from the local dealers. They only want to sell but dont really have knowledge like you. I have learned soo much from you videos. I wish we could hire you here in Mexico to support us more with our construction for the pool. Have a wonderful weekend and once again, thank you soo much.

I have three 1.5" returns coming from the pool (2 skimmers and 1 main drain). They each "T" into a 1.5" manifold and then almost immediately make a 90-degree turn from the manifold to a fairly short run to the SuperPump. The pressure side of the SuperPump is 1.5". If I had a pump like the VS 900 that can accept 2" or 2.5" pipe, would there be an advantage to using 2" or 2.5" pipe for the manifold and from the manifold to the pump? To what degree would the 90 degree turns offset any possible gains? If being able to consolidate smaller returns into a larger manifold is beneficial, this might be a further argument for the VS 900.

The Black & Decker 2hp is half the price and can install myself. I like the Tristar but is it twice as good as the B&D pump?

Absolutely fantastic, been looking technically at various high-end pumps for my new pool 27 cubic meters; and got to the Hayward 1.85 HP VS 900 then found your video, thanks so much.. Can I run it at 220 volts, 50 Hz without degradation.

You are a hero and leader in the pool industry Steve, thank you for caring and striving for the proper way to do things. I have 83’ feet of distance from my skimmer and main drain in 1.5” pvc piping to the pool pump so two total suction lines of 166’ feet, pretty definite from your videos that is divided by 2 and equals 83’ feet of head. What size Hayward pump would you recommend, the 2.7 THP unit because the high head distance? Has Hayward salt generator and heater, 4 return pool outlets branched off one 1.5” line at some point to the pool, thank you for guidance.

Would appreciate your opinion on overall Hayward vs jandy or pentair equipment and pumps in general. Is there one that is just superior over other brand? appreciate any feedback thanks. great video

Great information and timing.

Very informative thank you

I have this pump. It’s installed to suck water from the bottom of the pool and push it out of the 3 water feature “spillover pots”alongside the pool. I don’t know if it is functioning as variable speed any longer because nothing is displaying on the control pad. It seems the pool guys just used the valves to control the flow. Now I have a new pool guy who says we should move this variable speed pump to become the main pool filter pump. They said it would save us money because we could run it a low speed. I’m not sure if they’re right. Also, I’m not sure why the pump display is displaying nothing but still turns on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The magic happens by the part you can't see. The impeller and its hydrodynamic design is a main driver of efficiency. Great video on a great pump.

Great pump! One of my favorites to install.

Nice! Can this pump be used on a water well or lake well?

Steve you the Goat of pools.

Hi Steve, Unrelated to the pump, but my pool will be stagnant for 10-12 days waiting for a new filter (20 yr old one split top dome). I tried to find parts to built a (U shaped) bypass so I could run the water & navigator but no local parts (pipes/threads/unions/etc ) will attach to where I removed the filter. Special pool only/Hayward sizes. So besides keeping it heavy chlorinated & brushing any other ideas to prevent alga? Thanks! Froggy.

Can we use this pump to create a flow like endless fast lane

Hello, Steven. First and foremost, I want to thank you so much. Your videos have been extremely helpful. I'm from Kenya and needed your advice on the following pumps: Astral, Emaux, Doyin, and Dab. Which one do you recommend for a 25m by 15m pool with a capacity of 75000l? Thank you, in advance.

Here in the UK our electricity is 3 times your cost. Your salaries are roughly double ours and your taxation is a third of the UK. I should move !!

Eehhh pentair pumps still reign supreme. I will say haywards rep support and stuff has improved a lot though. The new Omni system is cool. I'm glad companies are finally starting to let you use other brands with automation now. Before almost nothing was compatible save for a heater.

Great information!

My customers never want to program the pump. They want the minimum speed to kick in the heater and leave it at that speed. I find that is around 1800-2200rpm with a clean filter.

Great info

I agree with you excellent pump… great video… I love watching your videos and I have been following you for years.

This pump is for sale online even Amazon. Just an FYI.. Good video!

I think I have this pump, I have the 3202VSP model (is that the same pump) , and I find it super super loud when compared to the 3HP pentair pump of someone I know . On full speed it I can hear it 500 + feet away. would you expect that from This pump or do you think there is something wrong with it?

Which type of VS pump would you recommend for a 17x30 above ground: 15-16k gallon, two skimmers with 2" lines converging to a 3" main. Two 2" return lines. Currently have a single speed 1hp pump hayward xstream, CC1000 cartridge filter. Currently getting 68 gpm flow per my flow meter. Tried to use all your tips and tricks installing this used system. Minimal turns, sweep elbows, etc..

Do you have a impeller clean video? I'm pretty sure mine is clogged and I need to take it apart to clean it ... Probably....

What is the average cost for this pump? I have a 30 foot above ground pool and I am definitely planning on getting a variable speed pump for energy savings. It is to be installed in two weeks or so so I have time to get these ideal pump for energy savings

I have 1.5 single line is this too large?

I have the OnCommand Hayward. controller and want to swap out the single speed pump. I measured it at 10.6A @240V. Is there a version if this pump without the controller and can be controlled be the OnCommand 4 Relay controller? Or get rid of the pump and controller and use the bulletin controller?

Great job explaining but I’m looking to replace my 21 year old Hayward pump and motor, I have a 2hp motor single speed and I’m considering replacing it with a VS. I have a 16x30 pool and I watched your video on comparing Pentar vs Hayward and it seems that Pantar moves more water but Hayward is cheaper to run? Is that a fair comparison?

Thank you well done

Great video, I am getting ready to have a stealth inground pool installed 16ft x 34ft x 3.5ft (Shallow) x 6ft (deep end) somewhere around 16,000 gallons. This is the pump that is coming with my pool kit. I planned on utilizing 2.5" plumbing with sweeping elbows. What RPM and or GPM would you recommend for a 24 hour filtration schedule?

Is the GPM flow fixed, relative to the pump RPM? Trying to design a 24 hr plan for my 1.85 hp Tristar but on an 8320 gallon pool with heater/chiller and salt system.

In 2017, my pool builder built our pool with the TriStar 950. In 2023, this review is for the 900. Is this a newer version of the 950 or something completely different? (Confused on the numbering)

Steve, at 5:42 you talk about automation, and then there's an edit and your thought seemed cut off... I'm planning a new pool build and will have the OmniLogic controller system, so do I need the this "smart" pump with its own controller? I'll actually have two pumps, one for the pool and one for a spa...

Steve, I'm just seeing this now and i think I'm going to order a tristar VS900 from Doheny's to replace a 1hp hayward superpump single speed. I have a question and I wonder if you would opine. Vinyl liner, inground, 20x40 rectangle with a close to 9 ft deep end calculating out to just under 40,000 gallons. Salt system running a DIG 220 and PPC4 cell (second season). I'm on my second season with a h400 FDN ASME heater. This is the supposed commercial spec with the bronze manifold. Sand filter. On the suction side there's two strainers with one and a half inch flex PVC underground for each and a floor drain which is also 1 and 1/2 in PVC. So three suction side lines at 1 and 1/2 in each. On the return side there's two jets, one and a half inches each. The TLDR version is that I'm considering a higher output pump to increase flow through the heater and hopefully get the output temps down to avoid tripping a limit open "LO" error. Last year I replumbed some of the pool pad and upsized the local plumbing at the pad to 2-in, for example between the pump and heater although admittedly it probably doesn't make much difference since the Lions share is one and a half inch. The pool is probably 30 ft from the pool pad and completely coplanar, not elevated or sunken relative to the pool. I plumbed in a combination check valve/flow meter (2" flovis) last year and it's showing me almost right at 50 gallons per minute flow with a clean backwashed sand filter and having cleaned out the screen in the DIG 220 salt cell loop. If I put the inch and a half Hayward multi-port valve on recirculate, it bumps the output to around 58 gallons per minute, cutting out the sand filter. So we had this situation with the heater where it seemed to be overheating the high temperature limit switch. With the pump pushing through the sand filter, again just under 50 GPM, the heater would fire up and run for maybe a couple of minutes and then cut out abruptly with the limit open error. If I put it on recirculate and run it, it would take more like 15 or 20 minutes to trip out with the limit open error code. Working my way through the limit string switches, it appears that the high temperature limit on the output side of the bronze manifold is losing continuity when the output temperature of the water is reading about 101° f on the DIG 220. I think this probably is a good approximation of the output temperature since the DIG 220 temperature probe is only about 4 ft of PVC away from the output flange of the h400 FDN ASME. The high limit temperature switch supposedly isn't supposed to go off until 135° f. I'll be putting in a new high limit switch today and I hope that that rectifies the situation, but if it does not, the issue would then seem to be that I need to increase flow through the heater core. Supposedly the minimum flow rate for the unit is spec at 30 GPM , so I would theoretically have plenty of reserve but I'm thinking if I could push my gallons per minute from around 50 with the sand filter in line up to perhaps 70, this would likely cool the high limit switch enough so that it doesn't cut out. The other problem is certainly that the high limit temperature switch may have just been bad. I have it bypassed with an auto fuse currently and the heater seems to be running great, heating up to temp, not cutting out anymore but also I haven't noticed any damage or fire, lol. I guess I'm wondering if you've ever seen this sort of problem? Hopefully the high temperature limit switch replacement just fixes this and it turns out it was a bad unit. However if it continues this way, maybe the heater core needs more flow? Sorry to be talking in circles. I guess if it runs perfectly with the new high temperature limit switch then my question is answered but otherwise I'll need to look at a higher output pump and I'm basically wondering if this pump could be counted on to provide perhaps 30 GPM over a single speed one horsepower Hayward super pump? Thank you so much for your time if you stayed with me here lol. Your channel is amazing

Jim here is this pump good for in floor systems

I am getting this pump to replace a Pentair 3HP intelliflo

I am having trouble with getting enough RPMs to keep my pop up head cleaning system working. Any ideas?

We have this pump. it was installed during a re-plaster of our pool a couple of years ago. We have had an issue with the top of the basket lid not sealing 100% and allowing slight air leakage into the assembly. Does not appear to be dramatically effecting the performance however when the pump speed is slowed after priming air leaks into the chamber. Tried cleaning ring and using ring grease with no resolve. Any suggestions?

Seems I can buy more powerful pumps online without issues in regards to safety. Isn't going too large on a pump the same safety risk?

thanks for the video. there are a ton of reviews online with a common issue. most of them are complaining about the mother board going bad after one year. i’m curious what you know about that. please address

What would you recommend for a 30,000 gallon pool?

Hayward makes a great product

why do you need CPVC when the plumbing is water cooled?

I see the Hayward Trisrar Vs 950 is available for $2000. I cannot find the Vs 900. Is it the same pump?

Is this good for a 18 x 36 inground rectangular pool?

I have two 2.70 THP Tristar VS 950 pumps. One is connected to a main drain only and supplies water to the tanning ledge located above the pool and waterfalls into the main pool. The other is connected to a second main drain and two skimmers. Long story short, my pool contractor is a conman who used pictures of our unfinished pool to scam money from others and is now on the run... I knew nothing about pools and now I know enough to have an idea about what I dunno. I love your channel because it is the most informative. I have no idea why dude put a variable speed pump for the tanning ledge because we only run it full throttle or not at all. It is not connected to a filter or anything. I have a hard time keeping the pressure down on the main pump because it goes through a heater, a sacrificial node, a chlorinator and a prozone (that I don't think is properly installed). Once the filter gets just a tiny bit dirty, the pump no longer primes fully. I could write pages of other things wrong, but this is my current main concern.

How does the on board watt meter compare to the one you have on the wall?. I have a TriStar pump, but i wasnt sure if the pump, under or over reported power consumption. Thanks for the video, i watch most of them.

Hayward's "Sell Sheet" for the W3SP3202VSP indicates that it supports both 115 and 230. The "SP3202VSP" (no W3) does not seem to mention 115 anywhere I could find. The W3 prefixed model claims that it runs more efficiently at 115V (WEF 12.9 vs 8.6 for 230V). If WEF is an accurate metric for efficiency, wouldn't you get even better results running off of 115V?

Will the TriStar union threads fit on the Black and Decker pump?

I wish this would have been out before the pool guy replaced my old pump with the Jacuzzi 1.65hp.

So with 1.5 in pipe 38 gal is max flow but all of your other videos with 24 hour pump schedules are well over that, I'm just a tad confused. Is discharge flow more than suction flow at the same RPM's?

How do you keep 30lbs of pressure on the filter if you cut the rpm on the pump the math does not work ?

I am getting a 16x32 rectangle inground vinyl pool is this pump too much. I am not getting any water features just a regular pool with salt system. If it's too much what do you recommend.

Disclaimer: I'm a pool pump noob just trying to learn. You say that 6 FPS = Max Laminar flow, but I don't think that's true. Flow is "laminar" if it has a Reynolds number below 2000; at 6 feet per second in a 2.5 inch diameter pipe I think the Reynolds number would be about 150000. Calculation: (995 kg/m³ [density of water at 90°F] * 0.0635 meters/second [6 fps] * 1.8288 meters [2.5 inch pipe] / 0.000761 N-s/m² (dynamic viscosity of water at 90°F).

My contractor suggests a Hayward 0.75 horsepower pump. Would you recommend the pump in this video over the 0.75hp single speed hayward? Pool is 14 x 28 with 2 bubblers and a 36 inch shear descent, 3 foot to 6 foot deep

Is there much of difference between the 3202 and 3200 model? I got the 3202VSPND model when I was expecting the 3200VSP model. Are they both the Tristar 900?

Pentair 3 hp vsp Pentair 3hp vsp Best Pump Super Efficient & Quiet AND RELIABLE !

How do you rotate the control read out?

Where can I buy this pump

Great video! Where can I find it documented on the voltage vs performance? I’ve not been able to locate that in Hayward’s literature.

This pump with the haywatd omni salt system

Love the video Steve !! Would this pump be ok for a 21 foot 54” tall round above ground pool ? Or would it be over kill ? I have 2 inch piping, a skimmer and 2 main drains if that helps. Thanks !! P.s I would save tossing fruit at it for when you start your onlyfans ….I am sure there would be folks into that 😅

can folks comment on what prices they're seeing for this thing?

Hey Steve I’m a pool Steve too. Where are you located? Your in my opinion the best pool content creator on you tube right now. I’m attempting to create videos on my channel as well. TheSTEVEGIANTS

great job

What's the lowest gpm I can run with 1.5"pipe?

For $3,000 It better cook me dinner.

Heat rated pvc my ass, just paint it white.

Junk do not buy this pump. Pentair is way better product and nakes better quality pumps.

$1500.00 ??? Pass.

I SPENT $1000 FOR THIS PUMP. I HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS UNTIL THE DRIVE FAILED. $900 FOR A NEW DRIVE. I WOULD SUGGEST TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS PUMP.