Main pump or breaker bad?

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T

tstex

Silver Supporter
Aug 28, 2012
2,236
Houston, TX
Hello to all,

Have the dreaded Hayward EcoStar filter pump and Siemens DP 20 AMP GFCI "breaker tripping issue".

Noticed the pump did not go off for the 6pm start up. Went to panel and and breaker was thrown. Tried resetting it and it will not reset.

The breaker has flipped over 2-3 dozen times over the years. Before resetting, i always first turn it all the way off, then turn it all the way back to on. While doing this, I always hear the main pump make a soft clicking sound, like the power is back on w in the pump. Then about 2-3 seconds later, it will kick on and start running. But this time is different.

When flipping the breaker all the way off, it will not lock into the full off position like it usually does. Furthermore, when trying to move it all the way back to the full on position, I hear the pump making the soft single clicking sound, but the breaker will not stay set in the on mode either. It moves back to an off position. Essentially, the breaker is not holding either it's full off or full on position.

I have another brand new DP 20 amp GFCI Siemens breaker that i can install. But, if the pump is shorted out or similar, the breaker is doing its job. However, that breaker has been flipping for 8-9 yrs now and could be worn out.

My options are to turn off the entire panel, and:

-install the tripping 20amp breaker into the other pool pump breaker to see how the Super II pump does?
-take the 20amp DP GFCI from the Super II pump and install in the filter main pump slot and see what happens.
-or, leave S II Pump alone and just change out the pump breaker w the new breaker?
-anything else?

Thoughts?

Thank you in advance,
Tstex
 
If the breaker does not latch on, you have a GFCI fault in the pump or wiring.

A GFCI fault is different from a short.

Electrical GFCI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Disconnect the wires from the pump, put wire nuts on the wire ends, and see if the CB latches. That will confirm the pump has a GFCI problem.
 
ajw22 said:
If the breaker does not latch on, you have a GFCI fault in the pump or wiring.

A GFCI fault is different from a short.

Electrical GFCI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Disconnect the wires from the pump, put wire nuts on the wire ends, and see if the CB latches. That will confirm the pump has a GFCI problem.
Click to expand...
Thanks Allen, appreciate it.

I just saw that the error is a "VSP COMM error". it's too dark now to do anything outside, so I'll defer to the morning to start troubleshooting
 
tstex said:
When flipping the breaker all the way off, it will not lock into the full off position like it usually does.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a bad breaker. You say you have another one on hand, I'd give it a try as that is easy enough to do. If it still trips you then confirm a pump problem if and only if there's nothing else connected to the breaker.
 
ajw22 said:

Hayward EcoStar Pumps - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Allen

I turned off the entire pool panel from the 70amp breaker that feeds it. Did it for 30 mins per instructions in EcoStar manual. After 30 mins, turned back on and same results.

Note, for the last 3-4 days, we've had A LOT of drizzle rain and complete 100 RHumidity. I've read in electrical forums that w GFCI VSP Pool pumps, high humidity can invoke trips. It's suppose to be nicer in next 1-2 days so I'll test again
 
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When high humidity is causing GFCI trips in a pump it means the pump is developing corrosion on the electrical contacts or motor.
 
ajw22 said:
If the breaker does not latch on, you have a GFCI fault in the pump or wiring.

A GFCI fault is different from a short.

Electrical GFCI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Disconnect the wires from the pump, put wire nuts on the wire ends, and see if the CB latches. That will confirm the pump has a GFCI problem.
Click to expand...
Allen,

Do I disconnect every wire from the ecostar? If only select ones, do you have a pic or a way to indicate each one? I have plenty of wire nuts..

PS - the breaker will still not reset this am...
 

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Show me pictures of what you are looking at.

Disconnect just the two 240V power wires.
 
Took off main pump 240 volt wiring, capped them, then tried turning breaker back on and it did not hold. Replaced Siemens breaker w exact same type and the pump fired up.

Wanted to thank you all and esp Allen for his add'l wk behind the scenes,

Santa came early, but I'm going to have to replace that 8,5 yr old EcoStar anyway, so buying a new pump too.

Thanks agsin & Merry CHRISTmas to all..
 
Last edited:
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I don't think they're burn marks but just something that affected the label from the wire side. You'd need to see evidence on the wire insulation and maybe discoloration on the screws to go along with your therory.
 
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