That is reassuring, thanks! I had a more knowledgeable friend check the voltage on my leads, both are 115 and the motor is set for 230 - so I guess it's wired correctly.

My father's retired electrician friend suggested that the wire gauge should be thicker for the distance from breaker panel - suggested 10 gauge. I am not sure what mine is, but I believe it's 12 (thinner than 10).

I read in another online post that pump motors have an internal thermo sensing shutoff that prevents it from overheating, and that intermittent stop/start symptoms would indicate that switch being tripped. Mine runs continuously, so I think I'll just let it go now and hope for the best.