Hayward TriStar VS 800

The TriStar VS 800 is Hayward's variable-speed TriStar with an OmniX module built in, set up and controlled from the OmniX app over Bluetooth. It's the largest of the three pump families in Hayward's 400/600/800 OmniX Series, beside the Super Pump VS 600 and the MaxFlo VS 400, and the only one in three sizes: 1.25, 1.85 and 2.25 total horsepower, the VSP32810, VSP32815 and VSP32820. It runs from 600 to 3,450 RPM, on 115 or 230 volts, and plumbs in with 2 x 2 1/2-inch unions.

Its wet end is the TriStar's. The housing, lid, basket, diffuser, impeller ring and screw, seal plate, seal and housing bolts carry the same part numbers as the older TriStar VS, and the VSP32815's impeller is the TriStar VS 900's. The TriStar VS 950's larger impeller has no counterpart here: the biggest VS 800 is 2.25 total HP, against the 950's 2.70. Hayward also lists the TriStar VS 900 and 950 with OmniX, as SP32900VSPX1 and SP32950VSPX1, outside this series and this manual.

Which size

• Efficiency: WEF 9.1 on the VSP32810 and 8.5 on the VSP32815, per Hayward's product pages. The VSP32820's page gives two figures, 9.0 and 7.4, without saying which is which.
• Head and flow: Hayward's curves put the three at about 70, 76 and 83 feet with no flow, and at 30 feet of head about 93, 128 and 146 GPM.
• 115 volts: the VSP32810 draws 15.2 amps at 115 V; the other two draw 19.9. The VSP32820's curve splits by voltage: on 115 V it matches 230 V up to about 45 GPM, then falls away, reaching about 118 GPM at 30 feet instead of 146.
• Strainer: 137 cubic inches, against 117 on the Super Pump VS 600 and 94 on the MaxFlo VS 400.

Check the pipe first. Hayward's chart rates 2-inch pipe for 80 GPM and 2 1/2-inch for 110, and the two larger pumps can exceed both. The manual recommends capping the pump's maximum speed so it can't exceed the flow the plumbing is sized for.

What Hayward says it replaces

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

• Pentair WhisperFlo, WhisperFlo VST, IntelliFlo and IntelliFlo3.
• Sta-Rite IntelliPro and Max-E-Pro.
• Jandy ePump, PlusHP, the 2.7 HP VS PlusHP models, and the larger VS FloPro models.

Every IntelliFlo, IntelliFlo3, IntelliPro, WhisperFlo VST and ePump in the guide maps to the VSP32820, bar one IntelliFlo. For the WhisperFlo and Max-E-Pro it varies by model, and the smallest WhisperFlo and PlusHP models go to the VSP32810.

Two optional riser bases make those swaps line up. SPX3200WF raises the pump to meet a Pentair WhisperFlo's ports, and SPX3200SR, per Hayward's online diagram, meets a Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro, Max-E-Glas, Dura-Glas or Dura-Glas II.

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 TriStar has a left-hand impeller screw, and it's the step most likely to go wrong. Hayward says only qualified people should do this. With the power disconnected:

1. Remove the six 5/16 x 2-inch bolts holding the motor to the housing with a 1/2-inch socket, and slide the motor out.
2. Remove the two diffuser screws and pull the diffuser off the seal plate.
3. Remove the OmniX module and hold the motor shaft with a 5/16-inch hex key in its socket.
4. Turn the impeller screw clockwise to remove it, then unscrew the impeller counterclockwise.
5. Remove the four 3/8 x 1-inch bolts holding the seal plate to the motor with a 9/16-inch socket, take the motor support bracket off the seal plate, and tap out the ceramic seat.
6. Clean everything and lubricate the shaft and seal recess with a mild liquid soap solution. Press the new ceramic seat in, polished face out.
7. Fit the upper two housing bolts into the seal plate first, then bolt the seal plate back onto the motor and refit the motor support. Press the spring seal onto the shaft, black face toward the ceramic.
8. Screw the impeller on clockwise and the impeller screw in counterclockwise, snug. Put the impeller ring back with its flange toward the diffuser.
9. Fit the diffuser with its three pins in the seal plate's holes, refit its two screws, and refit the module.
10. Slide the motor back with the housing o-ring in place and lubricated, and tighten the six bolts alternately and evenly to 185 inch-pounds.

Warranty and where to buy

The VSP32810, VSP32815 and VSP32820 get 3 years parts and 1 year labor through a pool store or service company. The W3VSP32815 and W3VSP32820 are the versions approved for online sale, 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.

Amazon had no listing for the TriStar VS 800 when this page was checked.

Where Hayward's documents disagree, or are unclear

• The W3 warranty. Hayward's W3VSP32815 and W3VSP32820 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 VSP32820's efficiency. Its product page lists WEF "9.0 / 7.4", where every other pump in the series lists one figure twice. Hayward doesn't label the two.
• The Sta-Rite riser base. The manual describes both riser bases, SPX3200WF and SPX3200SR, as aligning with a Pentair WhisperFlo. Hayward's online diagram gives SPX3200SR to Sta-Rite pumps.
• A duplicated part. The manual lists the housing insert and seal plate spacer kit, SPX3200Z211, twice, as items 13 and 20.
• The motor support adapter. The manual lists SPX3200Q2 and includes it in the power end. Hayward's online diagram doesn't list it.
• Step numbers. The manual's seal change numbers two steps 13.
• The sell sheet Hayward links is the Canadian bilingual edition, pointing to ca.hayward.com.