Pump Ran Dry Now Motor Won't Start

[RandyM1911]

True enough!

Although I can't say that I ever noticed any leaking around the pump at all. The majority of the corrosion was behind the motor mounting plate where it attaches to the front of the motor. Also under the front of the motor where the air cooling slots are located. But none of that was visible until taking everything apart.

I did notice some bearing noise in the motor this season and had planned to pull it (the motor) to have the bearings replaced after closing the pool in the fall. The bearing noise was noticeable but not horrible and I'm sure it would have made it to the end of the season (mid-September for me) had the seal failure not occurred. I may still rebuild the old motor and either keep it as an emergency back-up or see if I can sell it on E-bay. I can tell you that going forward I will be much more attentive to the sound of the pump motor and I'll be on the lookout for any signs of leaks or corrosion.

In the meantime, thanks for the help and the words of encouragement. It's nice to know I'm not alone out here!

[PoolDoc]

Although I can't say that I ever noticed any leaking around the pump at all. The majority of the corrosion was behind the motor mounting plate where it attaches to the front of the motor. Also under the front of the motor where the air cooling slots are located. But none of that was visible until taking everything apart.

You may want to check during a rainstorm, to make sure something is not causing water to splash up into the motor.

[RandyM1911]

Thanks PoolDoc.

I was thinking about building a little "doghouse" style roof over the pump / motor to mitigate that possibility. I have been wondering how the motor came to have so much corrosion in just 5 years of service and can only imagine that some combination of premature shaft-seal failure or leakage and possibly heavy rain / flooding of the motor vents contributed. I will keep an eye out so I (hopefully) don't have to go through this again in another 5 years!

Randy

[kelemvor]

I have a similar problem (pump motor gets regularly drenched in the rain). Mine is on a pad but we get lots of heavy rain here in FL. I was considering doing the exact same thing with the "doghouse". I was thinking it might present a problem for cooling/airflow, though. I had considered one of those solar fans for the roof of a house. The problem with that is the combined cost makes me doubt the economics of doing that vs buying a new pump every few years. Hopefully someone else can weigh in on the merits of the idea.

[PoolDoc]

I was thinking it might present a problem for cooling/airflow, though.

Exactly.

The ideal solution is probably to raise the pump a bit - a split or partial 2" patio block is enough in most situations, AND to put a roof over the pump, but NOT sides.

[RandyM1911]

Great idea raising the pump up 2" or so. I will definitely do that at the end of the season since it means some plumbing modifications. Mine sits on a pad but it's only about an inch above the surrounding grade and the area is covered in that ground cloth that prevents weeds from growing up everywhere. I'm thinking since that ground cover doesn't drain very quickly, if it gets soaked, perhaps the water level in a very heavy downpour might be rising up to the level where the motor sits.

As far as the "doghouse" goes, I did say "roof." I may not know much but I do know that if the motor has vents it's going to need airflow... I wasn't planning on totally enclosing the motor but thanks for back-stopping me.

Would it be overkill to disconnect the motor and bring it inside during the winter months? Or would that just wreak havoc on all of the seals that keep the water out from between the pump and motor? I'm not looking to create more work for myself, just curious since our season is only about 4 months long here. I do remove the SWCG cell during the winter months so there's no chance of any water being left in it and having a freezing problem.

[PoolDoc]

Would it be overkill to disconnect the motor and bring it inside during the winter months? Or would that just wreak havoc on all of the seals that keep the water out from between the pump and motor? I'm not looking to create more work for myself, just curious since our season is only about 4 months long here.

I wouldn't remove the motor. But what is possible is to re-install the pump with 2 unions, and replace the electrical to the pump with a locking cord, using something like this:

L6-30 Extension Cord, 20 Foot - NEMA L6-30 Plug to L6-30 Connector, 30 Amps, 250V
Arlington LPCG50-1 Low-Profile Strain Relief Cord Connector, 1/2 Inch
American Terminal AT-31604 60-40 Rosin Core Solder

You'd have to cut the cord, and put the female end into the box, and attach the male end to the pump, using the strain relief connectors at both ends. You'd need to make sure that water didn't drip all over the plug & socket set. You'd also need to solder the wire ends, especially on the motor connections. Fine stranded wire will not maintain a good connection under those terminals, with all the vibration and such.

But, with the unions and the cord set, you could simply disconnect the entire pump and store it indoors.