Just learned about this site today. I found the responses to be thoughtful and informed, so I thought I would ask for help. Opened pool over weekend. Above-ground, 28 foot round pool. Sta-Rite motor, Raypack heater, and Pentair filter. (I put specs at bottom).Thought everything was a go for last week’s after-school visit with 2 of my 10-year-old daughter’s friends. She was so excited. Telling me how to arrange deck furniture; reminded me to start heating the pool early, so it was not freezing; helped me clean deck.
It did not go well.As you can guess, the pool was freezing. Motor keeps going on and off and heater seems to be working but water not getting hot. My other 2 kids want to have friends over. We moved here to have a pool. It’s been frustrating. Appreciate any advice and apologies for long post.
Background: Moved into house 3 years ago. Experience with pool companies opening and closing have been terrible. HEATER: First year, company broke heater…on and on. So, I’m learning on the fly. Spent all day last week thoroughly cleaning 3 year-old heater; disassembled it including cleaning heat exchanger. It’s rusting — don’t know if normal. Last year, had to have part replaced(I can’t recall) on heater; but I remember the technician saying it’s not a great heater. Pool company paid for some of it since they broke it. MOTOR: Inherited motor. Last year, motor started cycling on and off but eventually seemed to work at end of summer. Tech looked at it and did something with reset mechanism inside. It gets really hot. My electric bill tripled in the summer. FILTER: Got a new filter cartridge 2 years ago. Pool company said that filter system is old but I can’t trust what they say given the experience I have had with them.
ELECTRICAL: I am wondering if electrical is good. I tested GCFI receptacle, where heater is plugged into, and it’s good. I have a 3-prong outlet for motor. I have a dedicated double 20amp GCFI circuit breaker. Motor bonded via wire going into the soil that’s presumably connected to grounding rod or running underground to house’s ground. Heater not bonded nor any parts of pool; handrails of steps are metal (aluminum.) I had an electrician upgrade house electrical main and sub panel when we moved in but I am questioning competency as I learn more about electrical. The GFCI breaker for pool seems loose in panel. And it tripped last week when I was cleaning heater. Has not tripped in last several days but motor goes on and off randomly. It gets really hot. Maybe motor is somehow connected to timer for lights in front of house (I don’t think so but don’t want to leave any detail out). Previous owners did not mention any safety problems.
Where to start? Is the pool safe? I was told to make sure GFCI works? Yes, it does. It concerns me that metal around pool not bonded. No overhead power lines, lights - nothing. To my knowledge, no underground wiring under pool nor close to pool other motor ask spun With new motor, maybe heater will work? Filter is old but seems to work, and therefore last priority? Of course, calling a professional is warranted but I have not had good experiences and have spent thousands so far with limited results. So, I am trying to educate myself before calling anyone. Thanks for your patience and any advice.
SOLAR COVER: And the solar cover we inherited ripped apart 2 days ago. I am looking at this one but do not know anything about covers. https://www.amazon.com/Dohenys-Micr...6b9-83b7-70d75d3c468c&pd_rd_i=B086679GCW&th=1
Raypak®
POOL HEATER
Model P-R156A-EN-C
A Rheem Company
Serial 200125739
Model P-R156A-EN-C
BTU/HR. INPUT/0-1999
MIN: THERMAL EFFICIENCY
ANS: 221.56*CSA 4.7-2014
82 PERCENT
BTU/HR. OUTPUT/150,000
-OFIFICE DIMS/123,000
Sta-Rite Motor # CA8M2A24BY
Pump Model MoJWPS5YG7L-A®
HP 2
SPL - .16
5450/1725RPM 8.F.1:0
MaxAmps 16.0/3.8
115V
8042 1PH 1.51.12kN
Filter
Pentair
Pool
S5YG7L - A1
JR 3PL2SP HD
4016109070070M
20170351
Serial 02211007805RK
It did not go well.As you can guess, the pool was freezing. Motor keeps going on and off and heater seems to be working but water not getting hot. My other 2 kids want to have friends over. We moved here to have a pool. It’s been frustrating. Appreciate any advice and apologies for long post.
Background: Moved into house 3 years ago. Experience with pool companies opening and closing have been terrible. HEATER: First year, company broke heater…on and on. So, I’m learning on the fly. Spent all day last week thoroughly cleaning 3 year-old heater; disassembled it including cleaning heat exchanger. It’s rusting — don’t know if normal. Last year, had to have part replaced(I can’t recall) on heater; but I remember the technician saying it’s not a great heater. Pool company paid for some of it since they broke it. MOTOR: Inherited motor. Last year, motor started cycling on and off but eventually seemed to work at end of summer. Tech looked at it and did something with reset mechanism inside. It gets really hot. My electric bill tripled in the summer. FILTER: Got a new filter cartridge 2 years ago. Pool company said that filter system is old but I can’t trust what they say given the experience I have had with them.
ELECTRICAL: I am wondering if electrical is good. I tested GCFI receptacle, where heater is plugged into, and it’s good. I have a 3-prong outlet for motor. I have a dedicated double 20amp GCFI circuit breaker. Motor bonded via wire going into the soil that’s presumably connected to grounding rod or running underground to house’s ground. Heater not bonded nor any parts of pool; handrails of steps are metal (aluminum.) I had an electrician upgrade house electrical main and sub panel when we moved in but I am questioning competency as I learn more about electrical. The GFCI breaker for pool seems loose in panel. And it tripped last week when I was cleaning heater. Has not tripped in last several days but motor goes on and off randomly. It gets really hot. Maybe motor is somehow connected to timer for lights in front of house (I don’t think so but don’t want to leave any detail out). Previous owners did not mention any safety problems.
Where to start? Is the pool safe? I was told to make sure GFCI works? Yes, it does. It concerns me that metal around pool not bonded. No overhead power lines, lights - nothing. To my knowledge, no underground wiring under pool nor close to pool other motor ask spun With new motor, maybe heater will work? Filter is old but seems to work, and therefore last priority? Of course, calling a professional is warranted but I have not had good experiences and have spent thousands so far with limited results. So, I am trying to educate myself before calling anyone. Thanks for your patience and any advice.
SOLAR COVER: And the solar cover we inherited ripped apart 2 days ago. I am looking at this one but do not know anything about covers. https://www.amazon.com/Dohenys-Micr...6b9-83b7-70d75d3c468c&pd_rd_i=B086679GCW&th=1
Raypak®
POOL HEATER
Model P-R156A-EN-C
A Rheem Company
Serial 200125739
Model P-R156A-EN-C
BTU/HR. INPUT/0-1999
MIN: THERMAL EFFICIENCY
ANS: 221.56*CSA 4.7-2014
82 PERCENT
BTU/HR. OUTPUT/150,000
-OFIFICE DIMS/123,000
Sta-Rite Motor # CA8M2A24BY
Pump Model MoJWPS5YG7L-A®
HP 2
SPL - .16
5450/1725RPM 8.F.1:0
MaxAmps 16.0/3.8
115V
8042 1PH 1.51.12kN
Filter
Pentair
Pool
S5YG7L - A1
JR 3PL2SP HD
4016109070070M
20170351
Serial 02211007805RK
