Correct Run Capacitor for Pentaire Pump Motor
- Thread starter Burnet Steve
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[SOLVED] Pentair Whisperflo Suddenly Quit Working - Capacitor
Hello everyone, I've resolved my issue and thought I would share just in case anyone else comes across this. I have a 5-year old Pentair Whisperflo (1.5 HP) (Model #011518). About 3 days ago it came to my attention that my pump wasn't running. I went back to the control box and verified that...
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I am replacing a 1.5 HP Pentair pump motor with a 2.0 HP Pentair pump motor. The 2.0 hp motor, PN: 355014S, is missing the run capacitor. I believe the correct capacitor is either a 30 MFD or 50 MFD but have not been able to verify which is correct. My Owner Manual lists every part for the Whisperflo pump except for the capacitor. I called Pentair support and they told me to contact AO Smith who told me they sold the pool motor business to Regal Rexnord who has not replied to my enquiry. I asked multiple online pool supply stores as well as Leslie's. No help from anyone.
Does anyone on this forum have a Pentaire 355014S, Model 196235, that you can check which capacitor is installed?
Does anyone on this forum have a Pentaire 355014S, Model 196235, that you can check which capacitor is installed?
What happened to the original capacitor?
I suspect that it is probably a 30 uF capacitor, but I do not know for sure.
You can try a 30 uF and then check the power factor to see if it is good.
The correct capacitor will result in the motor operating with a power factor between about 0.94 and 1.00.
I do not think that using a 30 uF instead of a 50 uF will cause any significant problems if you try it long enough to check the power factor.
If the motor does not start with a 30 uF, try the 50 uF.
The motor looks used, so it might not even work with a new capacitor.
In any case, do everything at your own risk.
I suspect that it is probably a 30 uF capacitor, but I do not know for sure.
You can try a 30 uF and then check the power factor to see if it is good.
The correct capacitor will result in the motor operating with a power factor between about 0.94 and 1.00.
I do not think that using a 30 uF instead of a 50 uF will cause any significant problems if you try it long enough to check the power factor.
If the motor does not start with a 30 uF, try the 50 uF.
The motor looks used, so it might not even work with a new capacitor.
In any case, do everything at your own risk.
I bought the motor a couple of years ago from a local pool repair guy. He said it was a spare that he had and assured me that it is a good motor. I suspect he robbed the cap from this motor to repair another motor that he was working on. Unfortunately that guy is no longer in business and no longer has the same number so I don't know how to contact him. I'll try it with a 30 MFD and see if that works.
Ideally, you would verify the power factor, but that requires a specific multimeter that most people do not have.
You can get a multimeter, but they are fairly expensive.
If the motor is good, the capacitor should be close enough.
You can check the amperage to see if it is higher than the motor label.
If you try the 30 uF (Microfarad) and the 50 uF capacitor and you check the amperage both ways, the amperage for the correct capacitor will be slightly lower.
The maximum amperage at 230 volts is 10.2 amps, which is 2,346 watts.
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Thanks. Just curious, why do motor manufacturers not list the run capacitor on the parts list? I have the Pentair parts list and have looked at Century and Regal Rexnord and do not see run capacitor part numbers on any parts list.
Good question, but you have to ask them why they do what they do or why they do not do certain things.
I found this information.
It is interesting, but I am not sure that it makes sense.
The Actual Watts (Real Power) should be the same for each capacitor.
A higher power factor should result in the lowest Apparent Power.
In any case, check the amperage under load to see if it is less than the motor label.
If it is higher than the motor label, then the motor is being overloaded.
https://coralspringspumprepair.com/capsize.html
It is interesting, but I am not sure that it makes sense.
The Actual Watts (Real Power) should be the same for each capacitor.
A higher power factor should result in the lowest Apparent Power.
In any case, check the amperage under load to see if it is less than the motor label.
If it is higher than the motor label, then the motor is being overloaded.
https://coralspringspumprepair.com/capsize.html
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It seems that a Power Factor of 1.00 might be undesirable.
Contact the Manufacturer and ask them.
Contact
Looking to contact Regal Rexnord? You can find a list of global facilities, Regal Rexnord family brands and ways to get answers here.
Customer Service: 1-833-734-2500
Original Equipment Manufacturers Customer Service
Regal Rexnord America, Inc.
Phone: (937) 667-7847
Fax: (937) 667-6644
Call, email, use the web contact, fax etc.
Keep doing every contact type until they answer you.
Do not quit until you have done each method at least 100 times each.
I finally found a dry day when I was home to install and test the new motor. The line voltage is 250 VAC, a little high but since I live in a rural area it's not surprising. The current with the 30 MFD capacitor is 9.7 amps. The current with the 50 MFD capacitor is 9.2 amps. So I am leaving the 50 MFD capacitor on the motor.
I would probably downsize the impeller to reduce power usage.
Most likely, you do not need that much power.
Most likely, you do not need that much power.
I was always told to use the same or bigger uf rating capacitor. This is just anecdotal, but the one time I undersized a capacitor, the capacitor blew up.