Pump Restart Issue when COLD

[Poconos]

STS,
I've got to be misinterpreting something in your post. Are you saying the rep told you they remove the basket gasket and don't use it? I believe the Hayward AG pumps usually have a circular basket lid thus the comment about an O-ring. Others are square or rectangular. I can't believe there would be an adequate seal without a soft gasket of some sort. I can't believe Hayward can economically mold parts to an accuracy that would negate use of a sealing gasket/O-ring. Take a close look at your lid and see if something is there. If it's just a plastic to plastic (or some hard material) seal then I just don't understand.
Al

[tenax]

i wondered about the seal as well. (i don't have hayward. a sta-rite man) further re: gasket..i have been told by pool store guys not to bother lubricating the o ring (they say it's self lubricating) i say bs...what..it has silicone inside it? whether it needs it or not, i spray with a silicon spray a couple times a season. i think it's just their way to reduce the life and make me buy rings more often. there is no way with lubrication that it should have to be replaced every season.

[elsie]

I'm wondering about misinterpretation as well. To the best of my knowledge the secondary strainer basket at pump location must have a rubber gasket and must be lubricated frequently, and I believe should be changed out with a new one every season. Without a gasket that's in good shape and lubed, I am quite sure the basket would not have a good seal.

Poconos, I, too, think that because of the strange behavior of the pressure gauge, that whatever's happening shouldn't be happening: that gauge should pop up to baseline immediately. Odd thing is that when I look in the strainer basket, I see no bubbles and, in fact, cannot even be sure there's water -- maybe there isn't. What I will do tonight is turn pump on, and I'm sure the motor will groan, and then turn off and immediately use my board to wrench the lid to the basket off and see if there's water. That will at least clear that question up one way or the other.

Because the cover's on now, I can't be sure I have full prime, although there again I could take a few water bags off and stick my upper body under it and put my hand in front of one of the jets. I'm very familiar with the strength of water coming from the jets so that may (or may not) clear up another question.

I think "at the end of the day," I will have to have a pool service come out. I'll keep you apprised, and appreciate everyone's input.

[Poconos]

Elsie,
Easy way to tell if there's water in the pump chamber is to turn the pump on for a second then shut it off. If it's empty the pump/motor will spin down slowly over several seconds. If there is a full water charge or a good partial charge it will stop almost immediately.
Al

[South_Texas_Sun]

STS,
I've got to be misinterpreting something in your post. Are you saying the rep told you they remove the basket gasket and don't use it? I believe the Hayward AG pumps usually have a circular basket lid thus the comment about an O-ring. Others are square or rectangular. I can't believe there would be an adequate seal without a soft gasket of some sort. I can't believe Hayward can economically mold parts to an accuracy that would negate use of a sealing gasket/O-ring. Take a close look at your lid and see if something is there. If it's just a plastic to plastic (or some hard material) seal then I just don't understand.
Al

Hi Al,

Sorry I didn't see your reply at first. (wish there was some kind of notification about new posts on a posted topic.)

No, you didn't misread that. The o-ring on my Hayward Northstar pumps stay out upon installation.

I'm talking about the large REDDISH o-ring that's a pain to put on. He (the Hayward rep) told me that it's not necessary for the enduser, and I believe him, because there's a fixed black gasket on the pump window deck that forms an excellent seal while the pump is running. (Just TRY to take off the windowed cover while the pump is running if you don't believe it....lol)

We may be comparing apples to oranges though, because the only experience I have is with the Hayward northstar pumps.

hth,

STS

[Poconos]

STS,
Thanks for clearing that up. Don't know what that reddish thing is.
Al

[tenax]

on't know about the red seal, texas, but yeah, the black o-ring is what i was thinking about.

elsie, there is no reason that the big black o-ring should have to be replaced seasonally..it won't hurt, but i would rather invest in a can of silicone lube spray for 4 bucks then buy a new seal for 15 to 20 every year. you also then have it to lube as you see fit throughout the season..one spray can will last for years. the added benefit i've had with it is if you are opening up connectors with the small black o-rings during close up for the season as i need to do, i have the spray handing to silicon lube those as well. it works great.

[South_Texas_Sun]

on't know about the red seal, texas, but yeah, the black o-ring is what i was thinking about.

elsie, there is no reason that the big black o-ring should have to be replaced seasonally..it won't hurt, but i would rather invest in a can of silicone lube spray for 4 bucks then buy a new seal for 15 to 20 every year. you also then have it to lube as you see fit throughout the season..one spray can will last for years. the added benefit i've had with it is if you are opening up connectors with the small black o-rings during close up for the season as i need to do, i have the spray handing to silicon lube those as well. it works great.

Hi Tenax, yes, the red seal was a puzzlement to me too.

It seems odd that Hayward would include the useless o-ring, because most customers (me included) would struggle with the thing for the life of the pump, unless (as in my case) there was a kindly Hayward rep standing next to me, pointing out my wayward Hayward ways.

STS

[Watermom]

Hi Al,

Sorry I didn't see your reply at first. (wish there was some kind of notification about new posts on a posted topic.)

Actually, there is a way to know when new posts have been added to a thread. Click on the name of the thread to open it. Then, near the top, click on "thread tools." Within the drop down menu will be a place to subscribe to that particular thread. You can choose to receive e-mail or private message notice of any new activity for that thread. Hope this helps.

[South_Texas_Sun]

Actually, there is a way to know when new posts have been added to a thread. Click on the name of the thread to open it. Then, near the top, click on "thread tools." Within the drop down menu will be a place to subscribe to that particular thread. You can choose to receive e-mail or private message notice of any new activity for that thread. Hope this helps.

Ahh....thank you, Watermom!

STS