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CHALLENGER
®
Centrifugal Pump Installation and User’s Guide
INTRODUCTION
Pump Overview
The Challenger
®
Centrifugal Pump is designed to operate for years with proper maintenance. The pump housing,
seal plate, diffuser, hair and lint pot and impeller are made from high quality thermoplastic materials. These
materials have been selected for their corrosion-resistant nature. When installed, operated and maintained in
accordance with these instructions, your pump will provide years of service.
Your centrifugal pump is driven by an electric motor. The motor is directly attached to the pump impeller. As the
electric motor turns, it causes the impeller to turn and this causes the water to flow. The water flows into the hair
and lint pot inlet and through the basket assembly to pre-strain large particles. The flow then enters the center of
the pump housing. If the pump does not contain the hair and lint pot assembly, the flow simply enters the center of
the pump housing. The flow goes through the impeller and out the pump discharge port.
Two Speed Pump Models
The performance of this pump will be the same at high speed as the same model single speed pump, both
hydraulically and prime wise. At low speed, the pump will produce one half the flow and 1/4 the pressure of high
speed. However, the pressure required by the filter and pool plumbing at half flow will also be greatly reduced
due to much lower system friction. These lower friction losses result in great energy savings. At one half flow (low
speed) the electrical energy savings are 60% for equal amounts of circulated water.
Turn motor to low speed for quiet operation and electrical cost savings. Since the pump should be operated
mostly at low speed for cost saving, minor adjustments may be required in the automatic chlorine dispenser, the
skimmers and the heater due to the lower flow. (See the equipment manufacturer’s operation manuals.)
Pool owners should use high speed for vacuuming the pool, quick filtering action, priming the system, and to keep
up with heavy bathing loads.
Spa and Tub owners will want to use high speed for good jet action.
Pump Strainer Basket
The strainer basket, sometimes referred to as the ‘Hair and Lint Pot’, is located in front of the pump housing. Inside
the chamber is the basket which must be kept clean of leaves and debris at all times.
Regardless of the length of time between filter cleaning, it is important to visually inspect the hair and lint pot basket
at least once a week. A dirty basket will reduce the efficiency of the filter and heater and also put an abnormal stress
on the pump motor.
Challenger Centrifugal Pump
Strainer Basket