Hayward MaxFlo VS 500

The MaxFlo VS 500 is Hayward's newest MaxFlo, a 1.65 total horsepower variable-speed pump with a TEFC motor, a Viton shaft seal and a see-through strainer cover. The current version has OmniX built in and Hayward's Universal Display on the drive, and it takes orders from Hayward's own controls or from Jandy and Pentair automation. It runs from 600 to 3,450 RPM on 115 or 230 volts.

It shares its manual with the Super Pump VS 700, the TriStar VS 900 and 950, and the TriStar XL VS. It also sits beside the MaxFlo VS 400, which uses a different manual and has an LED ring and a single button instead of a display. Both are on Hayward's current listing, and the 1.65 HP models of both use the same impeller.

On 115 volts it's a smaller pump

The VS 500 is dual voltage, and what you get depends on which you wire it for. DOE's certification database rates it at 1.65 total horsepower on 230 V and 0.85 on 115 V. Hayward's sell sheet gives the same pair.

Hayward's curve shows it. At full speed on 230 V, it makes about 56 feet of head at no flow and moves about 72 GPM against 30 feet. On 115 V, the curve follows the same line to about 29 GPM, then drops away and moves about 58 GPM against the same 30 feet.

For everyday filtration at low speed that barely matters, and 115 V actually rates slightly more efficient: WEF 10.7 against 10.2 on 230 V. It matters when the pump has to work hard, on a spa spillover, water features or a heater that needs flow. Given the choice, wire it for 230.

The manual gives 6.5 amps at 230 V and 7.2 amps at 115 V, on a 15 amp branch circuit.

Installing it

From the owner's manual:

• Wire it permanently to a circuit, with a disconnect at least 5 feet from the pool's inside wall. Line voltage has to stay within 10% of the rating. Use copper conductors only.
• Ground it and bond it, with a solid copper No. 8 AWG bonding wire from the lug on the drive.
• Replacing a pump on a time clock? Wire the VS 500 straight to line power, bypassing the clock. The clock can still run a heater or booster pump at a time the VS pump runs fast enough.
• Set a maximum speed so the flow doesn't exceed what your pipes and equipment can take.
• Replacing a Sta-Rite Dyna-Pro? Hayward's optional riser base, SPX2300GR, lines the ports up with the old pump's.

The unions are 1½ by 2 inches.

To prime it, stop the pump, close the valves, release the system pressure at the filter's air relief, and fill the strainer housing with water. Clean the cover's O-ring and lubricate it with Jack's 327 if it needs it. Close the lock ring by hand only, open the valves, and switch on. The manual allows up to 15 minutes to prime. When power first comes on, the pump starts itself to prime. Press Select on the display to cancel that.

The display, the app and your automation

The Universal Display rotates to any of four positions, or moves to a wall with Hayward's remote-mounted display kit, SPX3400DRKIT. From it you can run the pump at a speed, set presets and schedules, and read the error and event logs. Pressing Select stops the pump, and it won't resume its schedules or freeze protection until you restart it.

The OmniX app claims the pump over Bluetooth. For control away from the pool, add the OmniX Gateway, W3GATEWAYX1.

For automation, the manual lists Hayward's Omni controls, ProLogic 3.00 or later, AquaLogic and AquaPlus 2.65 or later, E-Command 4 2.8.0 or later and OnCommand 1.00 or later. It also lists Jandy and Pentair controllers, which need current firmware. Hayward Support gave the same AquaLogic firmware line, 2.65, to an owner who asked. Jandy and Pentair controllers connect with three wires, and the pump's first DIP switch must be on.

• On a Jandy system, set an address on the pump's display, then choose that DIP switch address under Legacy Jandy in the iAquaLink app.
• On a Pentair system, set the pump type to IntelliFlo VS or Pentair VS, and nothing else.
• On either, keep the minimum speed at 600 RPM and the maximum at 3,450.

When it isn't working

The manual's troubleshooting, condensed:

• Motor won't start: check the wiring against the data plate, the supply voltage, loose connections, tripped breakers and open relays. Turn the shaft by hand to check it moves freely. On a Jandy or Pentair controller, check that Pin 1 of the controller's DIP switch is set to HIGH.
• Hums but won't start: debris is jamming the impeller. The manual says a qualified professional should open the pump to clear it.
• Won't prime: fill the strainer housing, check the cover O-ring, tighten the suction unions, and clean the baskets. The manual gives 5 to 6 inches of vacuum at the strainer cover as the sign that suction is working.
• Low flow: a clogged strainer or suction line, undersized pipe, a dirty filter or partly closed valve, a suction air leak, or a plugged impeller.
• Noisy: an air leak or restricted suction, which makes the pump cavitate. Also a loose mounting, stones in the housing, or worn bearings.

Faults show on the display as Check System messages, from voltage too high or low, to an overheated drive, to a stalled motor. The power end part below lists what each one points to. When a pool pump won't turn on goes through the electrical side in order.

Winterizing

Don't let it freeze with water in it. The manual says that voids the warranty. Drain the pool below every inlet, take out both drain plugs and the strainer cover, and let the pump empty. Store it somewhere dry, without wrapping it in plastic. If you blow the lines out, use a blower under 5 psi, never compressed air, and use only propylene glycol as antifreeze.

Warranty and where to buy

The Expert Line SP23520VSPX1 and the Omni HL2350020VSP are sold through dealers with three years parts and one year labor, or two years labor through a dealer offering Hayward's extended coverage. The Open Line W3SP2303VSPX1 and W3SP2303VSP get one year parts and no labor. Hayward Support confirmed the one year to a W3SP2303VSP owner.

The basket, O-rings and seals are wear items under Hayward's terms. A replacement drive bought on its own carries one year parts.

The earlier VS 500, and the Omni

The W3SP2303VSP is the generation before OmniX. It has a digital control keypad (SPX3200LCD) where the new pump has the Universal Display, and its own manual, 1011781 Rev B. Its default speeds are 1,150, 1,725, 2,300 and 2,875 RPM. It's still on Hayward's US listing, in the Open Line. The wet end is the same pump, and both manuals list the same power end, SPX2303Z1VSPE.

The HL2350020VSP is the VS 500 with a VS Omni controller built in, which can also switch lights, a heater and a cleaner.

Where Hayward's documents disagree

• The Open Line OmniX voltage. The W3SP2303VSPX1's product page says 230 V only. DOE's database certifies it at 115 and 230, and the manual's wiring table covers both.
• The circuit. Both manuals give a 15 amp branch circuit. Hayward Support told a W3SP2303VSP owner it needs a 20 amp GFCI-protected circuit. The page above uses the manuals' figure.
• The display. The product pages say Rotatable Display: No. The manual and the sell sheet both say it rotates to four positions.
• The power end. Hayward's online parts lookup gives it as SPX2603Z1VSPE, "for SP2603VSP", which is the Super Pump VS's power end. Both manuals give SPX2303Z1VSPE. The page above uses the manuals.
• Diffuser screws. The current manual lists a 5-pack, SPX3200Z8. The earlier manual lists a 3-pack, SPX2300Z3PAK3.
• The motor support. The earlier manual lists SPX2300GV. Hayward's parts lookup lists SPX2300G.