Alright, I’ve been reading stuff on here awhile. We’ve had our pool about a year now. Picked it all up used. It’s a 13x25ft above ground Tuff Pool with a Hayward skimmer, 1 HP pump and 21” sand filter. I’m in Texas sun and my flexible pipe cracked at less than a year, so I hard plumbed it in and added a second return jet. However, now my motor keeps overheating. Is this because there’s only 1 line coming out of the pool but 2 lines going in to the pool?
Hard Plumb/Pump Overheating
- Thread starter Sammypants
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,759
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
Our experts will probably need a bit more info to go on. Can you update your signature? See mine as an example. Also post a pic of your set-up so we can see the pad, and perhaps a pic of the pump/motor info. With that info, we should be able to tell if the pump is overrated and/or somehow reacting to a restriction based on water flow, impeller size, etc.
www.troublefreepool.com
Our experts will probably need a bit more info to go on. Can you update your signature? See mine as an example. Also post a pic of your set-up so we can see the pad, and perhaps a pic of the pump/motor info. With that info, we should be able to tell if the pump is overrated and/or somehow reacting to a restriction based on water flow, impeller size, etc.
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www.troublefreepool.com
- May 3, 2014
- 58,310
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Post the label from the wet end of the pump. Has the impeller ever been changed?
You have only one suction port in the pool wall? That is quite dangerous. You should have two plumbed together to eliminate entrapment risk.
You have only one suction port in the pool wall? That is quite dangerous. You should have two plumbed together to eliminate entrapment risk.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,759
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I'm not seeing anything significant in that set-up that would impact water flow or effect the pump. Pump size, filter, and plumbing appear to be adequate. As Marty noted, maybe the impeller? If not, maybe the motor itself. You mentioned it being use. The motor appears to be a 2010 model. Might just be getting old.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,842
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you have two returns and only one suction, you run the risk of the pump cavitating and/or running close to run out which makes the pump run hot.
Can you turn off one of the return lines and see if the problem goes away?
Can you turn off one of the return lines and see if the problem goes away?
I’ll try to get the label from the wet end tomorrow if it’s still there. I do think work has been done at some point on this pump as I changed a seal and the long bolts that go through from the back end had been broken off at the ends and it does not all come completely apart, so I can’t actually replace the motor if I wanted to. I’m not sure how to tel if the impeller has ever been replaced. I’m only a year in to owning a pool and a used one at that.
The pool was originally built with only one suction port (for the skimmer) and 1 return jet. I just added the second return jet for better reach to the other end of the pool. I’m guessing I should add a second suction port too. Any advice on where would be the best placement?
thanks for the information and help.
Yes it’s used and I definitely think work has been done on it before, I may just need to get a new pump. This one has a built in timer which has been nice and I haven’t found another with that. This one is also a 1HP, but when I looked up the sand filter it seems to be rated for 1.5HP, unless I’m reading that wrong. Does that mean I should or could go to a 1.5HP?
Thanks!
- May 3, 2014
- 58,310
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The suction ports need to be tied together. And a few feet apart. Such that if one port gets covered, the other takes all the flow so no one can get trapped.
Make sure that the shaft turns freely.
Check the voltage and current while the pump is on.
The high amperage required by the motor is probably dropping the voltage too much.
You should go to a variable speed pump like a Superflo VS or a two speed pump or a much smaller pump.
Check the voltage and current while the pump is on.
The high amperage required by the motor is probably dropping the voltage too much.
You should go to a variable speed pump like a Superflo VS or a two speed pump or a much smaller pump.
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The shaft does turn freely. There are no strange sounds. A smaller than 1HP pump? Will I also need to replace my filter?
Even with turning 1 of the return lines off, it is still happening sadly.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,842
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
So before the plumbing change, was the pump running just fine? If so, how long were you running it before the plumbing change?
No need to replace the filter.
The flow is already too high for the filter.
Check the voltage and amperage with the pump on.
In my opinion, the plumbing should not make any difference.
It doesn't matter if the plumbing is high resistance or very low resistance.
The motor should be fine either way as long as you have water moving.
Even at full runout, the motor should be able to handle the load.
What is the electrical supply?
Is the wiring in good condition end to end?
Does the motor sound different?
It doesn't matter if the plumbing is high resistance or very low resistance.
The motor should be fine either way as long as you have water moving.
Even at full runout, the motor should be able to handle the load.
What is the electrical supply?
Is the wiring in good condition end to end?
Does the motor sound different?
I actually noticed an issue like as if it wasn’t running as long as it was supposed to be, but wasn’t sure. Seemed like an issue of circulation in the pool has been an issue.
I’m not sure how to do this. I will look into it when I can. Thank you.
The pump is about 11 years old.
So, maybe it's failing.
It looks like the electrical is an extension cord?
If you are not comfortable working with electricity, get someone to run a good power supply to see if that helps.
If not, you probably need a new pump.
I would plan to switch over to 240 volts with a new power supply and a variable speed pump.
I would also move the equipment away from the pool by at least 5 feet to avoid getting water splashed on the equipment while kids are swimming.
So, maybe it's failing.
It looks like the electrical is an extension cord?
If you are not comfortable working with electricity, get someone to run a good power supply to see if that helps.
If not, you probably need a new pump.
I would plan to switch over to 240 volts with a new power supply and a variable speed pump.
I would also move the equipment away from the pool by at least 5 feet to avoid getting water splashed on the equipment while kids are swimming.
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