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View Full Version : Pool heater and pump wire?


machoma
Mar 2, 2013, 11:37 AM
I recently removed my gas pool heater and plumbed in a heat pump system. The old system ran the pool pump, heater, salt system and pool light. It has two 20 amp breakers on #12 wires going to a service panel rated for 100 amps 60 feet away from the incoming panel. The pump runs on 240v and the rest is 120v.
The new heat pump said it pulls 35 amp 240v but needs a 50 amp breakers. The pump said 8.0/16.0 amp and I have no idea what the rest (salt system/light) pull. I would like to replace the old wire to the service panel instead of adding a new panel.
1. What wire size do I need to run to the service panel?
2. Do I need to use a 70 amp double pole breaker or can I go smaller since the old heater is not on the system?

stanfortyman
Mar 2, 2013, 05:05 PM
You need to have an electrician do this. Please!!!

What you are proposing is not possible. You must have a panel at the pool equipment, or at least run separate circuits for the different items. The pump and lights cannot be on a 50 or 70A circuit.

This is no place to mess around when you don't know what you are doing. And I am sorry, but it is clear that you do not.

machoma
Mar 3, 2013, 08:37 AM
You need to have an electrician do this. Please!!!

What you are proposing is not possible. You must have a panel at the pool equipment, or at least run separate circuits for the different items. The pump and lights cannot be on a 50 or 70A circuit.

This is no place to mess around when you don't know what you are doing. And I am sorry, but it is clear that you do not.

I guess I was not as specific as I should have been. The 70 amp breaker is what I wanted to feed the service panel with. As I stated, I already have a service panel at the equipment but it is fed by a 12/3 wire right now installed by the pool company. I need to upgrade the wire to handle an additional 50 amps. I know #8 will handle 70 amps at 240V but I'm not sure if I need to go larger due to the other equipment pulling 120V. There can't be much being pulled from the other equipment (light /salt system) since the old breaker fed the heater, pump, light and salt system on 12/3 wire with a double pole 20 breaker. I removed the old heater wire and left the rest alone. I just wanted to add a 50 amp breaker in the service panel for the new heater and increase the service lines to the panel and replace the 20 amp breaker at the main panel with a 70 amp breaker.

All I really need to know is if I need to go larger than #8 since I will be pulling 120V from the 240V? I don't think it should have much of an impact as long as I put the 2 pieces on different phases (legs).

stanfortyman
Mar 3, 2013, 08:40 AM
I know #8 will handle 70 amps at 240V but I'm not sure if I need to go larger due to the other equipment pulling 120V.#8 in any situation will not handle 70A.

Sorry, you are in way over your head and I cannot in good conscience help you with this.