Pump seals and salt based chlorine generator

[BrianM]

Hello all;
THe answer to this question is probably in the forum but I cannot get there without posting so here it goes. I have a 30K gallon in ground pool with Pentair WisperFlo 6 pump 1.5 HP, Pentair FNS Plus 120 sft DE filter, solar heaters, and Polaris AUtoClear Plus chlorine generator. My pool was built in 2006 and I have had trouble with pumps and seals. One pool person told me that I should have different seals in pump if I have a salt based chlorine generator. THis could explain my problems it is were true. I replaced one seal in my first motor then it started leaking the next season. THat wiped out the bearings in the first motor so I bought a new one. Then another seal failure occurred killing the bearings in my second motor. I had fixed the bearings in the second motor so I installed it with a differnt seal K6054S form US Seal and that seal has not failed. Now the first motor is fried, seems to be winding short so not related to seal failure. My wife and I are furstrated with the continual problems. I am concidering the Hayward Tristar pump, blaming the pump for all my problems but I saw one post her indicating that the WFE6 was a better pump. I am concidering either pump or motor replacement now with either the sam pump or different. If a salt seal is required can I buy the pump with the right seal from the MFG?
TIA
Brain

[Watermom]

Hi, Brian and welcome to the Pool Forum! Until one of our pump/motor people can help, maybe you can find something by searching. Instead of using the forum's search feature, you'll have better luck using the Google search in my signature below. Until your registration is complete, you'll need to log out to see the search results.

Hope you can find the answers you need!

[waterbear]

How often has your pump run dry? Salt will not damage seals. Heat will.

[BrianM]

waterbear and watermom;
It is possible that the first seal failure was from the pump passing air, never completely dry. I have had seal failures since then but perhaps I did not install them properly. I guess you are saying I do not need a special seal for the salt based chlorinator. That leaves me with the decision to replace the whole pump or motor only.
Thanks for the help.
Brian

[PoolDoc]

Regarding pumps, the consensus here seems to be that the Whisperflo pumps are very good. Also, a number of us like the Hayward (old school) Super Pump which is quite efficient IF you don't need high pressures. In both cases, getting a 2 speed pump can save you a LOT money.

With the Hayward, you can get a toggle switch, and run on low all the time. If you want to run on low less than 24/7, you need a 2-clock timer, that STARTS the pump on high (to make sure it's primed), and then switches to low. This is a bit less critical with the Hayward (which has better self-priming capability I believe) than with the Whisperflo.

Before you buy, post (or email to poolforum@gmail.com so I can post) pictures of your piping and pool. You can use Flickr, Picasa, or some of the other 'family-friendly' picture hosts.

For good operation, selecting the right size is quite important, but a bit tricky. If you would fill out the pool chart form, it will make it easier for PF team members to help:

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

[waterbear]

but perhaps I did not install them properly

Brian

If you touch the ceramic surface or install them backwards they will fail.

[PoolDoc]

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