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I just tried starting up my pool for the new season and the pump does not start. It just makes a really loud buzzing noise. I have the schematic for the pump. Is this user serviceable? I plan to drain it and remove the bolts that hold the pump motor to the plastic housing.
Any pointers on what I should look for?
Sometimes if you tap on the starter solenoid with a wrench it will kick on, but Poconos is our pump motor expert.
HH, Welcome to the forum.
Pump motor problems are quite common. Usually a simple fix. In your case you first have to make sure the rotor is not seized. Easiest way is to see if you can turn the impeller by hand. MAKE SURE POWER IS OFF AND THE PUMP CANNOT COME ON like from a timer. Dump the circuit breaker. Remove the pump basket and reach in the hole at the bottom of the chamber and see if you can turn it. While poking in there make sure there is no debris jamming the thing. If it is seized then you either have a lot on junk in there or the bearings are shot.
If it is free to turn see this thread
\http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=4800
which shows the back end of my superpump. On these motors there is a starting circuit that is composed of a separate winding, a centrifugal switch, and a starting capacitor. When starting this circuit pulls a substantial current, thus the loud hum or buzz. Once a certain speed it reached the switch opens and only the running winding is powered.
Remove the back cover and apply power and see if the rotor is turning at all. If it is, most likely the starter switch is stuck closed. Unlikely though. Get some 600 grit sandpaper (auto stores, Home Depot etc) and clean the contacts. The contacts are soft silver so you don't have to grind away.
If it isn't turning the starter capacitor is probably shorted. Slip a piece of paper between the contacts and see if the loud hum is reduced to a low hum. If it does, then the cap is shorted. Replace it. Not expensive, maybe $10 at a electrical supply place. Heven't bought one in a long time.
See where you stand after this and we'll work it further.
Al
(ajs-1)
Impeller is most definitely jammed. It will not turn. I didn't feel any debris.
Is it time to disassemble the pump?
BTW, I can read your other post but I can't open the jpg. The forum tells me I don't have authorization.
Yep, time to open it up and find out what is causing the jam. Could be seized bearings and if that is the case and things aren't rusted too bad then they can be replaced. Let us know what you find.
Al
I disassembled the pump and got the impeller turning with a pair of channel wrench pliers. However, it doesn't seem to be turning too freely. I would think it should spin like a bicycle wheel but it doesn't. I think a bearing replacement is in order. Is that a DIY or should I find a re-builder?
BTW, don't use a socket wrench to tighten the drain plugs, use a screwdriver instead. It's easy to apply too much torque with a wrench and shear off the plastic plugs. Guess how I know that?
Should spin freely. If there isn't much rust or corrosion then replacing the bearings should be pretty easy. Probably have to get a small bearing puller. Sears, Home Depot, most auto stores. Liquid wrench, tapping, prying, pulling, and patience. Back later.
Al
Hello all,
I had the same problem with my pump. (Well, I actually first had the problem of a wire that had come unscrewed in the pump when I was moving it around to get the ground to slope away from the house). When we got things re-connected, the pump made the loud buzzing sound.
I ended up taking the back cover back off and just ran my fingers under the starter switch to make sure they were clean and the pump started right up when I tried it next. Hopefully it will continue running properly for the season. Much cheaper than buying a whole new pump :)
I had this same problem this year. You may have foreign material blocking your pumps internal parts from turning. Usually this is in the form of pool debris getting stuck in the impeller, but in my case a colony of ants had filled the back end of the pump and were blocking the parts on that end from turning.
A few videos on diagnosing and fixing impeller blockage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1RWd6lae9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT6FaK3MX4o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGZPwCoBi-Y
In my case I had to open the back end of the pump and manually clear out A LOT of ants. Then I turned the impeller to make sure it was free, and tested it very shortly outside of the pool pump housing by plugging it in.
Good luck hope this helps.
Could someone please give me a little advice? I have a 3/4 hp Hayward Super Pump
I was out of town and my friend was taking care of our pool. There was a huge storm that knocked the power out. When my friend got to my house, the pump was making a switching on for a second, making a humming noise and shutting off. I had her just turn everything off.
I read the posts about the humming noise. I took the pump apart hoping that something was just jammed. It wasn't. I took the pump to a motor shop and he said that the switch had been stuck and that he cleaned it and it was fine. Unfortunately, the little black cover on the two wires (maybe the windings, I'm not sure) broke. When he put them back he stuck the white on with the black stripe on the 230v prong. he put the black one on the bracket around the line 2.
When I turned on the pump it sparked and started smoking. I have taken everything apart. It smells burned. The white wire with black stripe looks like it might be burnt. The shaft still turns just fine. What do I do now? Is the whole thing ruined?
Please help!