I recently fired up my 11 y.o. pump for the first time since November, and it screams like a banshee after initially humming and not turning. A little "percussive maintenance" got it turning however. I suspect the bearings are on their last leg. The seal was leaking last season, so maybe that got water in them. I've been wanting to upgrade to a 2-speed motor anyway, so I'm looking for advice on the motor I should buy and how to connect it.
Pump question: My pump is a Hayward Super Pump, model SP2610X15, 1.5Hp, original with the pool (used 11 seasons). Hayward technical services gave me model #SPX1610Z2M as the replacement 2-speed motor. The pool company that installed the pool gave me Century #STS1152R and suggested switch plate #1011431-001, which I gather connects to the motor itself allowing me to switch speeds manually. (I want to use an automatic timer though, so not interested in that. Timer is the next question below.) Is there any appreciable difference or preference between these two motors, or an alternate better suggestion to either of these? If not, I'll go by best price I can get them for.
How to connect--timer questions: My pump is not currently on a timer, just a wall-mounted on/off switch. I also have a salt generator system connected. I've read much about using two timers for a 2-speed motor. If I understand this right, the first timer just turns the pump on or off, and the second timer with a properly placed jumper switches between high or low speed--is that right? Is this because most people already had one timer, like the T-104, and had to add a second timer (T-106) when they installed a 2-speed motor? Considering that I do not yet have any timer installed, what is my best (i.e., best balance of cost and features) option for a timer? I read somewhere about an electronic timer that also had a freeze protect option. I presume an electronic timer would have more flexibility than mechanical timers, but how reliable/durable are they...worth the likely extra cost? (My pump/filter is in a covered, unheated shed.) I use a mesh cover that reveals a pond every spring, so would use of a freeze protection feature allow me to leave the plumbing operable all winter to prevent algae formation in the fall and spring whenever the water is warm enough? Is this even advisable? (My area typically has very few nights in the teens during winter, and probably less than 30 days/nights that drop below freezing.)
I'm a mechanical engineer with moderate confidence in my ability to install and connect the new motor and timer(s), provided I have good instructions and schematics. I figure I'm already in for ~$500 or more for parts, and would like to not have to add an electrician's cost to that.
I'll greatly appreciate any guidance toward making the right decisions for my upgrade...thanks in advance!
Jim
Pump question: My pump is a Hayward Super Pump, model SP2610X15, 1.5Hp, original with the pool (used 11 seasons). Hayward technical services gave me model #SPX1610Z2M as the replacement 2-speed motor. The pool company that installed the pool gave me Century #STS1152R and suggested switch plate #1011431-001, which I gather connects to the motor itself allowing me to switch speeds manually. (I want to use an automatic timer though, so not interested in that. Timer is the next question below.) Is there any appreciable difference or preference between these two motors, or an alternate better suggestion to either of these? If not, I'll go by best price I can get them for.
How to connect--timer questions: My pump is not currently on a timer, just a wall-mounted on/off switch. I also have a salt generator system connected. I've read much about using two timers for a 2-speed motor. If I understand this right, the first timer just turns the pump on or off, and the second timer with a properly placed jumper switches between high or low speed--is that right? Is this because most people already had one timer, like the T-104, and had to add a second timer (T-106) when they installed a 2-speed motor? Considering that I do not yet have any timer installed, what is my best (i.e., best balance of cost and features) option for a timer? I read somewhere about an electronic timer that also had a freeze protect option. I presume an electronic timer would have more flexibility than mechanical timers, but how reliable/durable are they...worth the likely extra cost? (My pump/filter is in a covered, unheated shed.) I use a mesh cover that reveals a pond every spring, so would use of a freeze protection feature allow me to leave the plumbing operable all winter to prevent algae formation in the fall and spring whenever the water is warm enough? Is this even advisable? (My area typically has very few nights in the teens during winter, and probably less than 30 days/nights that drop below freezing.)
I'm a mechanical engineer with moderate confidence in my ability to install and connect the new motor and timer(s), provided I have good instructions and schematics. I figure I'm already in for ~$500 or more for parts, and would like to not have to add an electrician's cost to that.
I'll greatly appreciate any guidance toward making the right decisions for my upgrade...thanks in advance!
Jim
