booster pump problems

[sunofthebeach]

A few years ago my Polaris booster pump would not run. I hit it with a 2x4 and it started. It ran good for the entire season. At the end of last season, the booster pump quit again. I hit it several times with a 2x4 and nothing happened. I closed my pool not wanting to deal with it. A week or two before my Polaris pump quit my filter pump would not run. There was an issue with the switch not making a connection when I flipped it on. I bent the metal throw switch a little bit and it made the connection and it worked.

I want to verify that my Polaris booster pump is getting electric. The pump spins freely by hand. It does not hum when the power switch is on.

All I need to do is turn on the booster pump and touch my multimeter to the two electric connections going into the pump Correct?

What setting should the multimeter be on?

[Watermom]

Unfortunately, I cannot help you with this problem. I'm sure Al (Poconos) or somebody will be along shortly who can, though. I fix things the way you do -- hit it! I just wanted to tell you that your user name is really clever. I had forgotten about it until I saw you post this year. Welcome back to the forum and hope you have a great swim season this summer!

[mas985]

Set the multimeter to read AC volts with a range of at least 250v assuming that is the way it is wired.

[Poconos]

Only thing I can add is a suggestion to wear eye protection any time you're messing around high power devices. One slip of a test probe to cause a short and the momentary high current can blow metal apart. Even though there is a circuit breaker or fuse in the line the momentary current can be hundreds of amps.
Al

[sunofthebeach]

Only thing I can add is a suggestion to wear eye protection any time you're messing around high power devices. One slip of a test probe to cause a short and the momentary high current can blow metal apart. Even though there is a circuit breaker or fuse in the line the momentary current can be hundreds of amps.
Al

That is exactly what just happened to me. The test probe slipped touched metal there was a spark, a flash and a pop. The circuit breaker flipped. It started back up when I turned it on.

so I must be getting electricity? right?

I am going to tripple check the power is off and disconnect, clean and reconnect the power wires to see if that does anything.

i get no hum when the power is on. I can turn the drive shaft by hand. is there probably a fuse and a reset switch on this booster pump motor?

[sunofthebeach]

So I goofed around with a GFI outlet that is located next to my pool pump and my polaris booster pump works now.

It makes sense that the electric to my booster pump runs through the GFI outlet right?

[aylad]

Mine does......

Janet