Do we need a new pump?

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B

barrca

0
May 15, 2017
43
Owasso, OK
Hello all,

We are new to this whole pool business... We bought a home with an inground vinyl liner pool, 21,500k gallons. It has been nothing but problems. We have replaced the plumbing, the sand in the filter, the multi port valve and are now wondering if we need a new pump motor. Here's what happened today: I checked the return jets to see how well water was pushing through them. One of them was great and one was very weak. My husband checked the pump motor and it was burning hot to the touch. Our valve typically runs at 32 psi. When you start up the filter, it takes a few minutes to get there. It's like it's trying to work up it's courage. Then, it'll run fine and both jets will have great water pressure coming through them. After a little while, one of them will have weakened pressure and the pump motor will be hot. Is 32 psi normal? The filter states a max of 50 psi. The pump motor is a 1.5 hp hayward super pump. 20170527_110729.jpg
 
Would need to confirm what size filter you have and your plumbing configuration at equipment pad. Maybe a few pictures could help. Motors running extremely hot could be a number of things, age, voltage, impeller. The 32 Psi sounds very high if all your running is a couple of returns again pictures could help. Depending on how old the pump is you may want to look into 2 speed or Variable speed pumps
 
The pump is about 8 years old. The plumbing configuration hasn't changed since the pool was built about 20 or so years ago. New plumbing but same configuration. I'll attach some pictures once the site lets me. I keep getting an error that I'm beyond my max file size.
 
32 PSI is very high for that pump. Does the pressure gauge go to zero when the pump shuts off? If not, your gauge may be broken.

The pump motor may have bad bearings. Is it a bit louder than normal?
 
Yes, the gauge goes to zero when off. It's a brand spanking new gauge and multi port valve. I wouldn't say it's louder than normal. When you first turn the filter on, the gauge doesn't immediately go to 32, takes a good couple of minutes to come to full pressure then stays steady at 32.
 
Valves are in correct position. The filter has brand new sand in it. We have replaced just about everything so far. No backwash since the sand was replaced.... I read somewhere in all my research I've been doing that backwashing is discouraged so I've been a little too worried to do a backwash. I've since been told it's not a bad thing. So, I'm considering going out and doing a backwash.
 
New info: The current pump is a 1.5 hp... I just learned that the previous homeowner installed that pump motor. He removed a 1 hp and replaced it with a 1.5 hp. Now, this pump has been in use for about 8 years and we're thinking we need to replace it. How do we know if we should just return it to a 1 hp or keep it with the 1.5??
 

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You have to look at the part # stamped on the impeller. A 1.5 HP motor will work ok on a 1 HP impeller but not the other way around.

But the motor in the picture looks to be an original.
 
What I was getting at is that previous owner may have replaced the entire pump. That motor is the motor that comes with the pump. A replacement motor would not normally have Hayward on it.
 
The pump is a Hayward Super II, not a SuperPump. A SuperPump could not get to 32 psi.

The motor was made April 19th 2010 (Monday).

If the motor needs to be replaced, I would suggest a total of 1.0 hp and replace the impeller with a SPX3007C impeller.

32 psi indicates a blockage somewhere.
 
Sorry about that, Yes, Super II Pump. I'm not clear on what indicates what hp you need? After backwashing the psi reads about 22, but then got up to 30 a little bit ago. The sand put in it was not pool sand, so maybe that can cause an issue? We found that out recently. I'm going to see if a local store has sand specifically for pool filters tomorrow and see about replacing that. In regards to a blockage... how might we find out where that is?? Both jets flow water out great now. We are totally new to owning a pool and actually regretting buying a home with a pool at this point.
 
The wrong sand in the filter can cause the problem. It needs to be filter sand.

If the motor is getting excessively hot, it might be bad and need to be replaced.

I would suggest a total of 1 hp motor with a SPX3007C impeller or a total of 3/4 hp with a SPX3005C impeller.
 
We contacted the former homeowner to inquire about some things. He lived in this home for 16 years. The pump was rated for the pool at 1.5 hp and that's what has always been there. Only on filter is when the psi goes up to 20 and sometimes 30. On recirculate, it stays at 14. According to the previous homeowner, the normal psi was 12-14. It's nice to know what the pool was at previously.

- - - Updated - - -

JamesW said:
The wrong sand in the filter can cause the problem. It needs to be filter sand.
Click to expand...

Thank you! We will change out the sand for sure and due to the pump motor getting burning up hot, we plan to replace that as well. Hopefully that will be our last problem with this pool.
 
I would suggest a total of 1 hp motor with a SPX3007C impeller or a total of 3/4 hp with a SPX3005C impeller.

Total hp is label hp x service factor (s.f.)

Your current motor is 1.5 hp total, which is too much. A 3/4 total or 1 hp total would be better and use much less power.

How many skimmers do you have?
 

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