Pool pump motor humming but not running

Detailed Seller Information
Business Name: Ningbo Ounuo Medical Instrument Co., Ltd
Business Address:
万达广场13幢705
余姚市
余姚
浙江省
315400
CN
Thank you. If I buy this one then I just need to learn to read and speak the language so I can get any needed support and parts if and when needed. There’s a four year Protection Plan available through Assurian LLC. Don’t know what that’s worth.
 
It's cheap enough buy two and have a backup. That's the issue here that when the pump stops working you'll get crazy, that's why it pays to buy with known history otherwise your the guinea pig IMO it's not worth the risk. There's plenty others to chose from for more $$$ that are not the the very high end but are good.
 
It's cheap enough buy two and have a backup. That's the issue here that when the pump stops working you'll get crazy, that's why it pays to buy with known history otherwise your the guinea pig IMO it's not worth the risk. There's plenty others to chose from for more $$$ that are not the the very high end but are good.
Thank you. You’re right about the risk. What has been the support experience of those who have bought the Black & Decker or Calimar brand pumps? Is customer support and parts available in the US for these brands?
 
I have only bought and installed the calimar. They're good no doubt. One of them was hit by a lightning strike and the extended warranty kicked in right away but the US stock was depleted and it took them two months for the next shipment to drop. Can't really blame anyone for the shipping shortages that was in every industry. Other then the lightning strike I can't complain. B&D have their own 5 year built in and I think it the identical pump.
I think every vsp install should also have a surge protector installed at the pump panel because over a season we hear a good number of them dead from storms. That's what I started doing.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JamesW

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Do I also need to replace the smaller breakers below these for the hot tub pump and the waterfall pumps?
Anything in the panel that has a wet application such as pumps, hot tubs, water features all need the gfci safety. They all need to be bonded too which hopefully they are already. You should physically check the bonding to everything on the pad as I've come across bonding connections that were broken midway or even right at the bonding clamp.
 
Getting back to pumps, my current Pentair WFE-4 pump had a 1HP single speed motor and SF of 1.65.
There’s a used Pentair Superflow VSP model 342002 available in town rated at HHP 1.09, THP 2.2, WEF:9.0 and SF:1.0 manufactured Jan 2022. It has the same inlet and outlet sizes of 2” as my old pump.
Will this be a suitable replacement for my old pump?
What questions should I ask when considering buying a used pump?
What would be a reasonable price to pay for it?
 
Last edited:
Getting back to pumps, my current Pentair WFE-4 pump had a 1HP single speed motor and SF of 1.65.
There’s a used Pentair Suoerflow VST model 342002 available in town rated at HHP 1.09, THP 2.2, WEF:9.0 and SF:1.0 manufactured Jan 2022. It has the same inlet and outlet sizes of 2” as my old pump.
Will this be a suitable replacement for my old pump?
What questions should I ask when considering buying a used pump?
What would be a reasonable price to pay for it?
Whisperflo (high-head) and Superflo (medium-head) are not the same type of pump. Depends on the application.
 
Whisperflo (high-head) and Superflo (medium-head) are not the same type of pump. Depends on the application.
My pumps are about 2 ft above pool water surface. There’s no solar water heater on the roof so I doubt if I need high head.
Can its Variable Speed motor be used on the old Whisperflo pump?
 
My pumps are about 2 ft above pool water surface. There’s no solar water heater on the roof so I doubt if I need high head.
Can its Variable Speed motor be used on the old Whisperflo pump?
When looking at a used anything, the first question should be does it run? Then, if so, why is it being replaced? Will it power-up? Then, can I hear it run?
For a VSP, does the drive work? Did the seal leak? Even if all the answers are satisfactory, you're buying what could have been someone else's problems, especially with a VSP. There is no inexpensive fix for those.
What is the pump used for? Install a variable-speed motor on the Whisperflo and, if it is for a water feature, you can adjust the flow to suit your needs.
How will it be controlled? Some variable-speed motors (Century EVO) can be controlled by a time clock but the speed options are somewhat limited. Others (Nidec Neptune) have built-in controls.
If this is for a water feature, do you want to go to the pad to operate the pump each time? Is that how it is done now?
Many variables.
 
I have read through the Hydraulics-101 and associated content. One thing is not clear for me when looking at options for pool pumps. CaliMar CMARVSP3.0 is rated at 3 HP pump and Black & Decker VSP is at 1.5HP. How can the two be compared with vast HP difference? Even with variable speeds, why would one buy 3HP pump to replace the old 1HP pump?
 
First, THP is very poor predictor of pump performance and really should not be used as factor in pump choice.

Second, for VS pumps, THP really only comes into play when the pump is required to operate at full speed for very high flow rate requirements.

I How can the two be compared with vast HP difference?
By comparing their respective head curves. That is really what really matters.

Even with variable speeds, why would one buy 3HP pump to replace the old 1HP pump?
For efficiency reasons. Larger THP VS pumps tend to be slightly more efficient than lower THP VS pumps.

Also, noise. Higher THP VS pumps will be less noisy than lower THP VS pumps running at the same flow rate.

Lastly, higher THP VS pumps will be less likely to experience impeller clogs than lower THP VS pumps.

So all around, the larger THP VS pump is a better choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamesW

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support