Hayward MaxFlo VS 400

The MaxFlo VS 400 is Hayward's variable-speed MaxFlo with an OmniX module built in, set up and controlled from the OmniX app over Bluetooth. It comes in 1.65 and 2.25 total horsepower, the VSP23415 and VSP23420, with W3 versions sold online. It runs from 600 to 3,450 RPM, on 115 or 230 volts, and plumbs in with 2 x 2 1/2-inch unions.

It's one of three OmniX pump families that share a manual, beside the Super Pump VS 600 and the TriStar VS 800. On Hayward's product pages the VSP23415 has the highest efficiency rating of the seven pumps in those series, WEF 9.6, against 8.5 for the 1.65 HP Super Pump VS and 9.1 for the best TriStar VS 800.

Its wet end is the MaxFlo's. Hayward's parts diagram for the single-speed MaxFlo XL lists the same strainer housing, basket, cover o-ring, diffuser o-ring and screws, housing o-ring, seal, seal plate, hardware pack and motor support, and the same SPX2710CM and SPX2715CM impellers, so an existing MaxFlo's spares and plumbing largely carry over.

1.65 or 2.25 HP

• Efficiency: WEF 9.6 on the VSP23415 and 8.6 on the VSP23420, per Hayward's product pages.
• Head and flow: Hayward's curves put the VSP23415 at about 57 feet with no flow, falling to zero head just short of 100 GPM. The VSP23420 starts at about 64 feet and reaches about 120 GPM. At 30 feet of head, that's roughly 70 GPM against 93.
• Current: both list 19.9 amps at 115 V; at 230 V the VSP23415 draws 10.9 and the VSP23420 14.2.

Check the pipe before choosing the bigger pump. Hayward's chart rates 2-inch pipe for 80 GPM and 2 1/2-inch for 110, and the manual recommends capping the pump's maximum speed so it can't exceed what the plumbing is sized for.

What Hayward says it replaces

Hayward's replacement guide for its OmniX pumps sends these to the MaxFlo VS:

• Pentair SuperFlo, SuperFlo VS and SuperMax VS.
• Sta-Rite SuperMax.
• Jandy FloPro, the FHPM models.

In the guide, every 1 and 1 1/2 HP version maps to the VSP23415, and every 2 and 2 1/2 HP version, along with the variable-speed SuperFlo VS and SuperMax VS, to the VSP23420. Pentair's own SuperFlo has 1.5-inch ports, so check the pipe size before a swap.

Installing it

Placement: as close to the pool as codes allow, on a level, rigid base, bolted down. Shade is advised. Pick a well-drained spot that won't flood, never damp or unventilated, and keep the inlet as close to water level as possible with a short, direct suction line that slopes continuously upward. Leave at least five pipe diameters of straight pipe before the inlet.

Plumbing: use the unions. On any threaded plastic connection, wrap the male threads with one or two layers of PTFE tape, clockwise facing the open end, hand-tighten, then give 1 1/2 turns more with a tool, and no more. No pipe dope, which can crack the plastic.

Wiring:

1. Turn off the breaker.
2. Remove the four screws holding the OmniX module and rest it on top of the motor, cable still attached.
3. Set the voltage jumper. It ships set for 230 V; for 115 V, move it to the 115 V position. Connect L1 and L2 (or L1 and neutral on 115 V) and ground.
4. Refit the module with its four screws. It seals the wiring compartment, so it has to go back properly.
5. Bond the pump with No. 8 solid copper to the lug on top of the motor.

The pump must be permanently wired, on a GFCI-protected circuit, with a disconnect at least 5 feet from the pool's inside wall and no extension cord. Voltage at the pump must stay within 10% of the nameplate.

Temperature sensor: drill a 3/8-inch hole in the pipe between the pump and the filter, push the module's sensor in, and hand-tighten the hose clamp over it until the o-ring seals. Don't overtighten.

Pressure testing: Hayward wants its pump out of the system for a pressure test. If it has to stay in, no more than 10 psi.

First start-up

1. Fill the strainer housing with water to the level of the suction pipe. If anything leaks, don't start the pump.
2. Open all suction and discharge valves and the filter's air relief valve.
3. Stand at least 10 feet away and power the pump.
4. It primes on its own, at 100% speed for 8 minutes by default, and Hayward says priming can take up to 10. If it hasn't primed in 10 minutes, stop it and find out why.
5. Close the filter's air relief once a steady stream of water comes out.
6. After priming, it runs at 50% speed on a factory schedule until you change it in the app.

Never run it dry, and never add undiluted chemicals just ahead of the pump's suction. Both damage it and void the warranty.

Setting it up in the OmniX app

1. Download the OmniX app, turn on Bluetooth, and sign in. An existing Hayward OmniLogic account works.
2. Power the pump. The module's blue LED blinks while it waits to be claimed. To skip the priming run while you do this, press the pump button 4 times.
3. Create a site or join an existing one, then claim the pump in the app. The LED turns solid.

In the app you can set schedules, three speed presets, minimum and maximum speeds, priming, freeze protection, countdown timers, and a temperature offset. You can also set the pump type (filter, accessory or booster) and see diagnostics and history. Control away from home needs the OmniX Gateway, W3GATEWAYX1.

The button, and running without the app

A quick press of the pump's button overrides the schedule for 3 hours. The first press is High, the second Medium, the third Low, and the fourth Stop, which holds until you cancel it. Hold the button 4 seconds to leave override. The schedule's start time doesn't change.

The pump also runs without OmniX: disconnect the module cable and it works from the single button alone, using Hayward's legacy programming instructions, which are online rather than in the manual.

What the LED flashes mean

• 1 flash, DC voltage out of range: check the line voltage is within 10% of the rating at the terminal block, the connections at the breaker and terminal block, and the voltage jumper.
• 2 flashes, motor current too high: check the impeller, diffuser, shaft seal and motor for binding.
• 3 flashes, drive overheated: clear the motor's airflow path, and check the ambient temperature against the nameplate.
• 4 flashes, pump stalled: the drive lost control of the shaft or couldn't start it. Check the impeller, diffuser, seal and motor for binding.
• 5 flashes, internal motor or drive failure: the motor and drive assembly may need replacing. Call Hayward Technical Service, (908) 355-7995.
• 6 flashes, module communication lost: check the module LED is on and its cable is plugged in.

Press the button while an error shows, or cycle the power, to clear it. If the pump won't restart after a power cut and its ring LED is blinking, press the button. When you cut power on purpose, wait at least 60 seconds for the LED to go out completely before restoring it.

When it isn't working

• Motor won't start: check the wiring, the input voltage, and that the pump is wired for the supply. Look for loose connections, open switches, tripped breakers or blown fuses. Turn the shaft by hand to check it moves freely.
• Motor shuts off and the LED isn't solid: low voltage at the motor, often from undersized wiring.
• Hums but won't start: an impeller jammed with debris.
• Won't prime: the housing isn't full, or the lid o-ring is dirty, unseated or dry. Suction-side connections may be loose, or valve o-rings leaking. The basket may be full, or the suction side clogged: Hayward says there should be 5 to 6 inches of vacuum at the strainer cover. Replace the shaft seal only if it's leaking.
• Low flow: a clogged strainer or suction line, undersized pipe, a dirty filter or partly closed valve, a suction air leak, or a plugged or damaged impeller.
• Noisy: suction air leaks or cavitation, a low pool level, unrestricted returns, loose mounting, debris in the housing, or worn bearings.

Looking after it

• Clean the basket regularly, and inspect the lid o-ring.
• Before opening the lid: stop the pump, close the suction and outlet valves, release pressure at the filter's air relief, and refill the housing before refitting the cover. Lubricate the lid o-ring with Jack's 327 if needed, and tighten the lock ring by hand only.
• No lubrication otherwise. The bearings and seal are self-lubricating.
• Keep the motor clean and its vents clear, and don't hose the motor off.
• Let the motor cool at least 20 minutes before working on it.
• Hayward says seals, gaskets and similar components should be replaced at least every ten years, or sooner if damaged.

The OmniX module has a non-replaceable coin battery. Don't try to remove it.

Winterizing

Turn the power off. Lower the water below all the pool's inlets, remove the drain plugs and strainer cover, and let the pump drain. Disconnect it from the pad, wiring and pipes, refit the cover and plugs, and store it dry. Freezing with water in it voids the warranty. Use only propylene glycol antifreeze, never compressed air, only a blower under 5 psi, and don't wrap the pump in plastic.

Replacing the shaft seal

The MaxFlo's seal change has more torque figures than the other two OmniX pumps. Hayward says only qualified people should do it. With the power disconnected:

1. Remove the four 5/16 x 1.75-inch bolts holding the motor to the housing with a 1/2-inch socket, and slide the motor out.
2. Remove the three diffuser screws and pull the diffuser off the seal plate.
3. Remove the OmniX module, hold the motor shaft with a 5/16-inch hex key in its socket, and unscrew the impeller counterclockwise.
4. Remove the four 3/8 x 1-inch bolts holding the seal plate to the motor with a 9/16-inch socket, and press out the ceramic seat.
5. Clean everything and lubricate the shaft and seal recess with a mild liquid soap solution. Press the new ceramic seat in, polished face out.
6. Bolt the seal plate back on, torqued to 100 inch-pounds. Press the spring seal onto the motor shaft, black face toward the ceramic, and screw the impeller on clockwise, snug. Refit the module.
7. Fit the diffuser, lining up its three pins with the holes in the seal plate, flat side of the rim up, and torque its three screws to 20 inch-pounds.
8. Slide the motor back without disturbing the diffuser o-ring, with the housing o-ring in place and lubricated. Tighten the four housing bolts alternately and evenly to 185 inch-pounds.

Warranty and where to buy

The VSP23415 and VSP23420 get 3 years parts and 1 year labor through a pool store or service company. The W3 versions are the ones sold online, and the warranty on those depends on which Hayward document you trust: see below. Seals and o-rings are wear items. Keep the receipt, and register the pump for an extra 90 days.

Where Hayward's documents disagree, or are unclear

• The W3 warranty. Hayward's W3VSP23415 and W3VSP23420 pages say 3 years parts and 1 year labor. Hayward's 2026 Open Line terms and warranty page give Open Line products 1 year parts and no labor, with exceptions only for salt cells and TracVac cleaners. The Amazon listing says 1 year parts.
• Length. The manual and sell sheet show the pump 25 1/8 inches long. Hayward's MaxFlo VS with OmniX line drawing says 25 1/2.
• Current at 115 V. The sell sheet gives both sizes the same 19.9 A at 115 V, while the 230 V figures differ. It gives the Super Pump VS 600 identical figures.
• The sell sheet Hayward links is the Canadian bilingual edition, pointing to ca.hayward.com.
• Diffuser screws. The manual shows three, and the online diagram lists them as a 5-pack.
• The replacement guide's edge cases. It sends one Pentair IntelliFlo, 011059, to the VSP23415, where every other IntelliFlo goes to the TriStar VS. It lists Jandy's VSFHP085JEP under VS PlusHP, though its VSFHP prefix matches the VS FloPro models listed below it.
• The seal number. Both the manual and the online diagram give the standard seal as SPX2700SA. Hayward's website has a page for the Viton version, SPX2700SAV, and none for SPX2700SA.