The Plastica Argonaut is the top tier of the Plastica pool pump range, built for larger residential pools, high-demand systems and commercial installations where the pump runs long hours.
It is the big brother to the entry-level iFlo and the mid-range Plastica AG Series, and it is the model people reach for when circulation alone is not the only requirement and durability under continuous duty matters.
The AV range spans six sizes, from the AV50 to the AV250, and every one of them is offered in both single phase and three phase. This guide explains what each model delivers, what sets the Argonaut apart, and how to choose the right size and the right electrical supply.
Where the Argonaut sits in the Plastica range
The AG Series is the mid-range residential choice. The Argonaut (AV) is the heavy-duty option, with higher flow, higher-grade materials and a build designed for continuous twenty-four hour operation. If you want the full side-by-side of all ranges, our guide to understanding the Plastica range of swimming pool pumps sets them out together. This article focuses on the Argonaut itself, because once you have decided you need the top of the range, the next questions are which model and which electrical supply.
The six models in the AV range
The AV range covers a wide span of flow and head, so it suits everything from a large domestic pool up to a commercial installation. The table below gives the headline figures for each model. Flow is the maximum the pump will move, and as with any pump the flow you actually get falls as the head it has to work against rises, so size on your real duty rather than the top figure.
| Model | Motor | Max flow | Max head |
|---|---|---|---|
| AV50 | 0.33hp (0.24kW) | 216 L/min (13 m³/hr) | 11 m |
| AV75 | 0.5hp (0.375kW) | 266 L/min (16 m³/hr) | 13 m |
| AV100 | 0.75hp (0.56kW) | 300 L/min (18 m³/hr) | 15 m |
| AV150 | 1.0hp (0.75kW) | 366 L/min (22 m³/hr) | 16 m |
| AV200 | 1.5hp (1.12kW) | 433 L/min (26 m³/hr) | 18 m |
| AV250 | 2.0hp (1.5kW) | 533 L/min (32 m³/hr) | 18 m |
Every model in the range shares the same inlet and outlet, the same self-priming ability to 3 metres, the same 1.75 litre strainer basket and the same quiet running of around 60dB for its performance class. What changes across the range is the motor power, and with it the flow and head on offer. You can see current pricing and buy any model, single or three phase, on the Plastica Argonaut AV product page.
Single phase or three phase: the main decision
Every Argonaut model is available in two electrical versions, single phase at 230V and three phase at 400V, and choosing between them is governed first by the supply you have, not by preference. Most domestic properties have a single phase supply, so for the majority of home pools the single phase version is the correct and only practical choice. Three phase is found on larger sites, commercial premises and some rural properties, and where it is available it brings real advantages on the bigger pumps.
Single phase, 230V. This is the standard domestic supply across the UK and suits the vast majority of residential pool installations. The single phase Argonaut models carry the suffix 2DN-S, so an AV150 single phase is the AV150-2DN-S. If your property has an ordinary domestic supply, this is the version you need.
Three phase, 400V. Three phase is for larger and commercial systems that have a three phase supply on site.
At the higher powers in the range it tends to run more smoothly and more efficiently than the single phase equivalent, which is why commercial pool plant is so often three phase. The three phase models carry the suffix 3DN.
There is one important installation point that does not apply to single phase pumps: a three phase motor can be wired to spin in the wrong direction, and running an Argonaut backwards can cause substantial damage and void the warranty. The manufacturer specifies a protective automatic switch on each phase, rated at 3A for the AV50, AV75 and AV100, 6A for the AV150 and AV200, and 8A for the AV250.
If you are not certain which supply your property has, ask your electrician.
Why the Argonaut handles salt and aggressive water
The feature that most separates the Argonaut from lower-cost pumps is its material specification, and it is the reason the range is rated for high salt concentrations and aggressive pool chemistry. The mechanical seal, the part that keeps water out of the motor where the shaft passes through, is made with AISI 316 stainless steel, the marine grade that resists chloride attack. The motor shaft is high-grade stainless steel, and the nuts, bolts and fixings are 316 stainless as well. The pump body is glass-filled polypropylene, which has high chemical resistance in its own right. Put together, this is a pump suited to chlorine, bromine, iodine and salt-chlorinated water, including the high salt concentrations that degrade pumps built to a lower specification.
Self-priming and installation essentials
The Argonaut is self-priming up to 3 metres, which means it can be sited above the water level of the pool rather than below it, and it will draw water up to itself on start-up. To prime reliably, keep the suction pipe short and air-tight, fill the strainer basket with water through the clear lid before starting, and make sure every valve in the system is open. The one rule that must never be broken is that the pump must not be run dry, because running dry destroys the mechanical seal and can cause leaking and flooding, and it voids the warranty.
For a sound installation, the pump should be bolted to a solid base such as concrete to limit vibration, sited somewhere accessible for servicing and with adequate drainage, and fitted with a non-return valve directly after the pump to stop reverse flow driving the impeller backwards. Electrically it should be on its own dedicated circuit, installed by a qualified electrician, and protected by an RCD. The pump is supplied with 63mm (2 inch) ABS solvent weld unions and reducers for 50mm (1.5 inch) pipework, so it fits straight into either pipe size.
Choosing the right model for your pool
Across the range the Argonaut delivers from around 13 up to 32 cubic metres per hour, and the right model is the one that turns your pool over without working the filter too hard. The accepted rule of thumb is to circulate the entire volume of the pool once every eight hours. Work out your pool volume, divide by eight to get the flow you need per hour, then choose the smallest model that meets that flow at your system's real head. Bigger is not better here. An oversized pump wastes energy and can push water through the filter faster than the filter can clean it, so matching the pump to the pool and the pipework matters more than buying the largest motor you can.
Head is the other half of the calculation, and it is the part people most often overlook. The further the pump has to push water, and the more fittings and filter resistance it works against, the lower the flow it will actually deliver. Our guide to how to read a pump curve shows how to read flow against head for a given model, and the Water Pump Performance Calculator helps you estimate the friction in your pipework so you can size on your true duty rather than the headline figure.
Order, or ask us to size it
The Argonaut is manufactured and tested in the UK and carries a three year warranty on the pump body, two years on the motor and one year on the mechanical seal. You can choose your model and electrical supply on the Argonaut AV product page, see the wider range on our swimming pool pumps collection, or browse the full Plastica range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the single phase and three phase Argonaut?
They are the same pump with a different motor for a different electrical supply. The single phase version runs on a standard 230V domestic supply and suits most home pools. The three phase version runs on a 400V three phase supply found on larger and commercial sites, and tends to run more smoothly and efficiently at the higher powers.
Which Argonaut model do I need?
Size on flow and head rather than horsepower. Aim to turn the whole pool over once every eight hours at your system's real head, then choose the smallest model that meets it. The range runs from the AV50 at 216 litres a minute to the AV250 at 533 litres a minute. Oversizing wastes energy and can push water through the filter too fast to clean it, so match the pump to the pool and the pipework, or call us and we will size it with you.
Is the Argonaut suitable for salt water pools?
Yes, including high salt concentrations. It uses an AISI 316 stainless steel mechanical seal, a stainless motor shaft, 316 stainless fixings and a glass-filled polypropylene body, so it resists the corrosion that degrades lower-grade pumps in salt-chlorinated and aggressive chemical environments. It also handles chlorine, bromine and iodine.
Is the Argonaut self-priming?
Yes, up to 3 metres, so it can be sited above pool water level. For reliable priming, keep the suction pipe short and air-tight, fill the strainer basket through the clear lid before start-up, and make sure all valves are open. Never run the pump dry, as this damages the seal and voids the warranty.
What pipework does the Argonaut take?
Every model has a 50mm inlet and outlet and is supplied with 63mm (2 inch) ABS solvent weld unions plus reducers for 50mm (1.5 inch) pipework, so it connects to either size. When gluing the reducer into the collar, glue only one level of the union rather than the whole joint, as trapped adhesive can cause problems.
What warranty does the Argonaut come with?
Three years on the pump body, two years on the motor and one year on the mechanical seal. Allowing the pump to freeze or to run dry will void the warranty, so it must be drained and winterised correctly and never run without water.
