Need a new motor for my 24' round

[JohnnySixString]

I need to get a new motor for my 24' round pool. From what I've found the current one is a 1hp (even though it's supposed to be 1.5?). Can I replace it with a smaller hp and/or 2-speed motor? What is involved with replacing the motor, as far as any seals or what not. Hopefully the pictures help.

[aylad]

Watermom, one of the other mods, has a 24' AG with a 1/2 hp inground pump, and she says it works well for her. I have no idea about the 2 speed pumps or what it will take to replace it--hopefully one of the others will chime in soon that have some experience with it.

Just out of curiousity...I had my IG pump replaced this past summer with a pump made by A.O. Smith, which I had never heard of before. How many swim seasons did you get from your pump?

Janet

[b2001]

I don't believe that AO Smith makes the pump - just the motor. I have a Purex Triton Maxim Pump connected to an AO Smith BN35 motor - 1.5 HP, 2.0 SPL. I've had it for 5 seasons, running it approximately 8 to 12 hours a day, sometimes 24 hours for several days to clear out algae problems, and shutting it down from October to April.

It is still working. However, I am going to replace it for this season. Based on the advice by many on this forum, it appears to be oversized by the dealer, and I want to go to a 1/2 or 3/4 HP pump/motor for my 14,000 gallon pool to save on energy costs.

[Poconos]

Yes, Smith is just the motor maker, one of the big ones. Should be an easy change but the trick is going to be finding an exact physical replacement. Don't know if that's easy or hard. With todays energy costs rising I'd definitely do a 2-speed if you can hack the additional cost. You don't mention the age of the present pump and the reason for replacing it. Depending on these factors you may also consider just replacing the entire pump. Also check this thread
http://66.129.2.151/pf2/showthread.php?t=8240
Al

[b2001]

I don't know about the original poster's situation, of course, but in my case I'm going to replace the pump and motor as a unit purely as an energy savings effort. I haven't done the math yet, but I figure going from a 1 1/2 HP down to a 1/2 or 3/4 HP should result in enough energy savings at some point to offset the $200 to $300 cost of the pump/motor combo - probably add some more cost for plumbing, and I like your suggestion of housing the motor from the weather elements ...

[JohnnySixString]

This one only lasted going on 3 years. Checked everything out pump-wise and it appears to be the motor. I found a replacement for it, which lists this model as 1hp. They also had the "same" motor in other sizes and also a 2 speed. I was thinking of going down to 3/4hp, for both effenciency and supposedly it would actually clean the pool better. I wanted to go to a 2 speed if I could, but I'm not sure if it's a direct swap out? Can't see a reason why it wouldn't be, but I'm no expert.