Pool pump motor humming but not running

[1poolman1]

I have read through the Hydraulics-101 and associated content. One thing is not clear for me when looking at options for pool pumps. CaliMar CMARVSP3.0 is rated at 3 HP pump and Black & Decker VSP is at 1.5HP. How can the two be compared with vast HP difference? Even with variable speeds, why would one buy 3HP pump to replace the old 1HP pump?

They are actually variable horsepower pumps, the speed determines the amount of work done and energy used. A larger pump, like 3THP, can be turned to a lower RPM to accomplish the same amount of work, and use less energy, than the smaller 1.5THP.
Compare apples to apples:

BLACK+DECKER 3HP Energy Star Variable Speed Inground Swimming Pool Pump (Qualifies for Utility Rebates)

Energy Star Certified and with an included 5-year warranty, the BLACK+DECKER 3 horsepower variable-speed pool pump outperforms all other pumps on the market—and pays itself off with up to 80% of energy costs saved in all phases of operation. This truly versatile unit allows slower filtration for...

poolpartstogo.com

 

[New2water]

They are actually variable horsepower pumps, the speed determines the amount of work done and energy used. A larger pump, like 3THP, can be turned to a lower RPM to accomplish the same amount of work, and use less energy, than the smaller 1.5THP.
Compare apples to apples:

BLACK+DECKER 3HP Energy Star Variable Speed Inground Swimming Pool Pump (Qualifies for Utility Rebates)

Energy Star Certified and with an included 5-year warranty, the BLACK+DECKER 3 horsepower variable-speed pool pump outperforms all other pumps on the market—and pays itself off with up to 80% of energy costs saved in all phases of operation. This truly versatile unit allows slower filtration for...

poolpartstogo.com

Thank you for clarifying. It’s a challenging time when CaliMar 3HP is nowhere to be found.

 

[New2water]

Detailed Seller Information
Business Name: Ningbo Ounuo Medical Instrument Co., Ltd
Business Address:
万达广场13幢705
余姚市
余姚
浙江省
315400
CN

Thank you. I was able to find Ningbo website at Jademotor.net Pipopa and Zipool are their distributor in the US. They said they are designing a 3HP VSP.

 

[JamesW]

Thank you. When I got in touch with Ningbo, I was able to find their website at Jademotor.net Pipopa is their distributor in the US. They said they are designing a 3HP VSP.

你买了好的泵，你就会发现很多快乐。
好抽水机带来好运和快乐

 

[New2water]

It passed inspection because at the time that pool was built it was not a code requirement.
NEC started requiring that with the 2010 code update, which didn't get published until 2013. There are thousands of pools still without a GFCI breaker on the pump circuit that work well. It is, and always has been, better if one was installed, but there is not likely an immediate concern with your pool. When a new pump/motor/heater is installed a GFCI breaker needs to be at the same time per code. Unless someone pulled a permit, no one would know. BUT, you are replacing the motor, so it needs to be done. The one that works with the least amount of nuisance tripping on a VSP is the Siemans QF220A.
If there is a separate breaker in the main panel for the pump, that one gets replaced. If your control panel has breakers in it, it would be done there. If not, a small sub-panel can be installed specifically for the pump circuit.

Thank you. I ordered this GFCI breaker to replace the double pole breaker currently is use. Which model breaker should I use to replace for the other pumps? I think one of the two 15A breakers on the right provides power to the other pumps through the switches on the left. It seems strange that a 15A single pole breaker is before the two pairs of dual pole breakers which act as switches on the left. There must be something wrong in my understanding of this setup. Please see the photos and advise.

 

[Srqpoolguy]

Get yourself a whisperflo vst pump and all you have to do is add unions. Direct fit otherwise. Great pump. The reason the vs pumps are code now in CA is due to the energy savings. Those single speeds cost $2-3 a day to run on average. A Vs costs .30.50 cents a day. Most save about $300-600 a year overall. This depends on run time size of pool annd cost of power in your area. The gfci thing also has caused issues with some of the vs pumps (intelliflo) in which they falsely trip from "noise". You would Probly be ok without one. Just make sure new pump is bonded properly. Also call an electrician for the power and breaker issue if you're not sure what you're doing. Those two 15 amp single poles don't even look like they are wired to anything but hard to tell from pics. The panel door will tel you what breakers fit in that sub panel. Has a chart saying brand and type breakers that fit. Best of luck. That's maybe the longest running motor I've ever seen. They average 3-5 years here in south Florida. Lol. Pentair's site has a calculator that tells you how much you will save per year swapping from that to a new vs pump. You enter all the data (current motor Hp) etc and zip code and you may be suprised the pump pays for itself in a few years. Stay away from that cheap Chinese junk. You will spend more money and time when it fails. No parts. No service. No one will work on them. Get a good quality pump. The B&D pumps are ok but I've pulled several out latley due to drives failing. Best of luck

 

[New2water]

They are actually variable horsepower pumps, the speed determines the amount of work done and energy used. A larger pump, like 3THP, can be turned to a lower RPM to accomplish the same amount of work, and use less energy, than the smaller 1.5THP.
Compare apples to apples:

BLACK+DECKER 3HP Energy Star Variable Speed Inground Swimming Pool Pump (Qualifies for Utility Rebates)

Energy Star Certified and with an included 5-year warranty, the BLACK+DECKER 3 horsepower variable-speed pool pump outperforms all other pumps on the market—and pays itself off with up to 80% of energy costs saved in all phases of operation. This truly versatile unit allows slower filtration for...

poolpartstogo.com

Microsoft's AI Bot says: "Oversizing the pump can lead to problems. For example, the Pentair Intelliflo 3.0 HP is too powerful for an average-sized residential pool."
I guess it is still learning.
Do higher HP pumps have a larger wet end design to circulate more water at lower speeds?

 

[mknauss]

The wet end is typically the same, the impeller is different.
My 6000 gallon pool works great with my Intelliflo 3.95THP pump . For the last 9 years.

 

[1poolman1]

Microsoft's AI Bot says: "Oversizing the pump can lead to problems. For example, the Pentair Intelliflo 3.0 HP is too powerful for an average-sized residential pool."
I guess it is still learning.
Do higher HP pumps have a larger wet end design to circulate more water at lower speeds?

No, just a larger impeller.