Pool Motor blew up

steppinthrax · Jul 22, 2014

So I switched on my pool pump. I saw red sparks shot out the back and my GFCI tripped. I reset the GFCI and turned the motor back on, this time it came on but moved slowly as well as smoke was coming out the back.. I was thinking it was a capacitor or something. I took the motor apart and found there was no capacitor. I looked at the winding and found part of the winding was black and burned. I have the following label information

A.O. Smith
CAT BN25SS
Type SP
FR W48Y
1 HP
1 SF
12 AMPS
3450 RPM

I'm thinking of getting a new motor, I saw them on ebay but the price is high (124 is the cheapest I found). Also I notice the newer versions of these motor operation on lower AMPS (like 7 or 8). Is the amps listed on the old motor the maximum amps or are the newer motors more efficient?

I also notice they sell 3/4 HP motor with the same RPM? Would it make better sense downgrading the motor if these motors both run on the same RPM?

sargent · Jul 22, 2014

The 3/4 hp motor will overheat unless you also get a 3/4 hp impeller. The impeller is around $35.

bobodaclown · Jul 22, 2014

If the 3/4 HP has a SF greater than 1.4 you'll be ok. You're concerned with the THP (total HP or SFHP), which is SF * HP.

SF * HP = THP. 1 * 1 = 1

so if you replace your motor with a 3/4 HP you'll want the one with a 1.65 (standard) service factor.

Some reading: http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/1263-Understanding-pump-quot-Service-Factor-quot

Sminor · Jul 22, 2014

That price is actually pretty good. I just got a 1 HP for $134. Also check Amazon, they have good prices and customer service.

jblizzle · Jul 22, 2014

Why not take the opportunity to upgrade to a 2-speed motor and save money on electricity? Will cost a little more upfront, but will save over the life of the motor.

bobodaclown · Jul 23, 2014

Looks like you're limited with the motors your able to get.
The 1HP two-speed motor you'll need looks to be the BN37, should be less than $200. Running on low will save you money. I've gone from a single speed to a two-speed and am very satisfied. (I use a robotic cleaner, not a pressure cleaner). I run 95% of the time on low.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bn37+motor

You'll need a switch to go from High/low.

steppinthrax · Jul 23, 2014

bobodaclown said:
Looks like you're limited with the motors your able to get.
The 1HP two-speed motor you'll need looks to be the BN37, should be less than $200. Running on low will save you money. I've gone from a single speed to a two-speed and am very satisfied. (I use a robotic cleaner, not a pressure cleaner). I run 95% of the time on low.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bn37+motor

You'll need a switch to go from High/low.

Thanks,

How long do these motors typically last? Also has anybody successfully rewound a motor? I see you tube videos of people rewinding several small motors.