Help--quickly!!

[CUTURHAIR]

Ok, I just posted recently about the drought we are having, and the low water level in my pool, etc. Well, we have had a lot of rain over the past few days, and I have a NEW problem! My motor has stopped running, and I don't know how high, is too high on the water level. It is an inground, vinyl liner pool. The level is probably less than 2" from the top of the liner.

I was hoping to use some of this water to backwash, before the motor stopped. Not sure how much more rain we are getting, but I believe today is supposed to be the end of it. We are in tight water restrictions, and I can't use the hose to fill the pool water, so I don't want to WASTE this water that is presently there.

My question is, how high is too high on the water level? I would like to leave it in there and not just syphon it out, so I can backwash it, once my new motor is installed, and still have plenty of water in the pool.

My other question: Do any of you Raleigh folks have any pool repair folks to suggest for my motor replacement. I have always used the big name company in Raleigh, and their service has continually gotten worse and worse. They put this motor in 20 months ago, and it has never been right, and we have been round and round over it. Warranty was only 6 months, so there is nothing I can really do now, other than replace. However, I CAN choose who I use or DON'T use to install the new one. If anyone has any good references, please email me at CUTURHAIR@nc.rr.com. I do not want to give these people another dime....

Thanks!

[aylad]

My IG vinyl liner has had water levels up to the level where the liner fits into the bead, and so far hasn't had any problems. If today is the last day of your forecasted rain, I'd leave the water in there until you get your pump running. Don't forget that some (not much, but some) will start to evaporate when the sun comes back out anyway.

Good luck getting your pump fixed...but in the meantime, keep adding the bleach and stirring with your pole, a broomstick, or whatever you have handy so that it doesn't go green while your pump isn't working.

Janet

[CUTURHAIR]

Thanks Janet. I did just put the hose in to syphon a little bit out. It is still raining at a good pace, and I just don't want to take chances. I checked the motor, which is hot, but not running when turned on. I cut it off and heard a noise a few minutes later, so I flipped the switch back on, and it started making a little noise, like it was trying to start up. I just cut it off, to see what would happen if it cooled down. If it did start running again, would you trust it, or think it to be an electrical hazard? Guess I just need to figure out who to call, huh?

Thanks!

[CUTURHAIR]

Just went back out to see what would happen if I tried to turn the power back on. It struggled! It is definitely dying, so I will not turn it back on...

[Poconos]

I'd just let the water rise. Should not hurt anything even if it overflows except maybe washing out something around the pool. The added pressure from high water should not cause a problem. I suppose water could get behind the liner and on some pools that may be a problem if it has nowhere to drain or be absorbed. You can also get a cheap submersible at Home Depor tor the like for $60 or so. They're always handy to have around. On the motor, could be something easy and cheap like the starting capacitor which costs maybe $5 but you have to be a little handy to diagnose and replace it. I doubt it's the starting contacts because of the age. Bad contacts are usually a long life problem. There is a phrase in the design industry called 'Infant Mortality' which refers to some compoinent whether electrical or mechanical, failing soon after being put in service. Normally the regular warranties take care of these situations. If you want more details on troubleshooting the thing I can dig up some older threads.
Al

Here's one thread
http://66.129.2.151/pf2/showthread.php?t=764&highlight=ajs-1

I also have a pic of the backside of a Hayward Superpump I can dig up too showing what's behind the cover.

[aylad]

Could also be something caught in the impeller, which would be fairly easy to remove, if you're handy enough to take the motor apart. I'm not....but in having some general maintenance stuff done last summer, the service guy removed a golf-ball sized ball of nylon pieces (rope disintegrated), brush bristles, grass, and other debris from my impeller. He told me that it would have soon seized and the impeller not able to turn at all.

Janet