Pumping Out Savings
Nidec offers budget- and user-friendly options for pool pumps
Nidec Motor Corp., a motor manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri, introduced a new variable-speed motor and software upgrades that make replacing pool pump motors simple.
The Neptune Hybrid, the newest member of the Neptune variable-speed motor line, features a brushless permanent magnet motor and a permanent split capacitor motor. It’s made to operate from 600 to 2,760 RPMs, ideal for circulating water in a pool. The PSC motor kicks in at 3,450 RPMs to vacuum pools efficiently.
While still meeting Department of Energy regulations and saving homeowners money on utility bills, the Hybrid costs $200-$300 less than other pump motors, says Jim Ellis, Nidec’s director of marketing. This may be attractive for homeowners who have a simple pool with little to no automation, he says.
“The Hybrid complements the Neptune motor for service persons as a value-priced, DOE-compliant and state regulations-compliant pool pump motor replacement,” Ellis says. “This product was designed to be a lower-priced, fully compliant option for service persons to offer their customers.”
The Neptune Hybrid BPM technology, a feature in all Neptune motors, is engineered with a specially designed motor control to maximize energy efficiency.
“Most motors and controls sold in the industry today are not even from the same manufacturer,” Ellis says. “So you know that they’re not developed in conjunction to operate at peak efficiency together.”
Operation control options
For greater energy savings, Neptune motors come with a feature called DOE software, developed by Nidec. Setting up this software is straightforward, Ellis says. The service professional simply enters the number of gallons of water in the pool and the pump’s flow rate in gallons per minute at full speed. The Neptune motor then calculates the run schedule and automatically adjusts to optimize performance and maximize energy savings.
“To my knowledge, this is the only swimming pool replacement motor capable of this functionality,” Ellis says.
As a simpler alternative, service pros can program the motor to operate through Nidec’s traditional timer settings.
“Some service persons simply set the time of day on the user interface and let the Neptune motor power the pump using the default timer mode software,” Ellis says. “This method allows the service person a quick installation and the homeowner to save money on utility bills.”
In addition, all Neptune motors can connect to external time clocks, which are a popular, low-cost tool used to manage daily pump operation in about 32% of residential pools, Ellis says.
“This functionality provides service pros the knowledge that the Neptune motor will save the customer’s utility cost dollars and will still allow these customers the ability to utilize their time clocks,” Ellis adds.
Nidec also plans to release proprietary software to allow Neptune motors to operate with 14 of the most popular pool automation systems.
Neptune motors will be the only variable-speed motor on the market that can operate with all three control methods — the Neptune interface, time clocks and pool automation systems.
“By operating with all three control methods used in the U.S., service persons can be virtually 100% confident the Neptune motor will be compatible with their customers’ existing pumps,” Ellis says.
By operating with all three control methods used in the U.S., service persons can be virtually 100% confident the Neptune motor will be compatible with their customers’ existing pumps.”
Jim Ellis, Nidec Motor Corp.
Compatibility
Further enhancing compatibility, Neptune motors can fit most standard-size pumps based on total horsepower rating, including 1.25, 1.65, 2.25, 2.7 and 3.45. The Hybrid is only available in 1.25, 1.65 and 2.25 THP.
“When we first started out, everybody put a 3.5 horsepower variable-speed [motor] on, and it was overkill,” Ellis says.
Additionally, the Neptune 1.25 and 1.65 THP and Neptune Hybrid 1.65 THP are dual-voltage models that can operate at 115 or 230 volts. The Neptune controller automatically senses the connecting voltage and operates the motor accordingly.
“We do not derate the Neptune product line horsepower capabilities based upon the input voltage,” Ellis says. “So, the service person can be confident the Neptune 1.65 THP motor will power any 1.65 THP pump end at either 115 or 230 volts. This is not true for other variable-speed pool motors.”
Neptune Motors’ compatibility with most pool pumps means service professionals can replace the motor instead of the whole pump when the original motor fails. The replacement can save homeowners hundreds on the equipment and up to 80% on utility bills, Ellis says.
Variable-speed technology
Single-speed motors operate the pool pump at full speed for a short time and then stop, but Neptune’s variable-speed motors operate the pump at a slower pace for a longer amount of time, using less power to pump the same amount of water.
Perry Lusk, owner of Perry’s Pool Pumps in Phoenix, Arizona, notes other benefits of a variable-speed pump. Because the water moves slower, the filter picks up smaller particles. Additionally, the pump generates significantly less heat because it’s running more efficiently, which also puts less wear and tear on the seal.
Ellis adds that by continuously circulating water, the pump helps keep the pool chemicals mixed well.
Lusk notes that Neptune motors are “pretty much our exclusive go-to when it comes to variable-speed replacement motors.”
“All we have to do is bolt one of these motors on an existing pump and take the single-speed away, and you have all the advantages of a variable-speed motor,” he says. “It’s very cost-effective. Instead of replacing the entire pump assembly, we are just bolting a motor on. It doesn’t require any pipe cutting or modifications.”
Ultimately, Lusk believes Neptune motors can help all pool professionals serve customers better.
“I think education is key,” he says. “Once the pool pro learns that they can offer a variable-speed replacement motor, that’s going to lead to more sales for them, as well.”
