Pump runs for 20m, shuts off for 10-15m, runs for 20m

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Mbarron13

Member
Mar 12, 2021
9
Houston
Hi there,

Recently I had a pool pump motor which was causing my breaker switches to flip. I had a pool tech come out, he diagnosed that the motor needed to be replaced. I noticed that the pump would run for about 20m, turn off suddenly for 10-15m, then restart for another 20m. It cycles like this as long as you let it.

I notified the tech about the problem and he mentioned that it sounded like an "electrical issue". Given that it was a Friday and my pool was starting to turn green, I took off the back cover of the motor to see if the wiring was fried or messed up. I noticed that the tech wrapped the 2 wires with electrical tape (I assume they were in bad shape). So, I cut back the wires about 3-4" so I could get fresh copper connected to the motor, hoping that would solve the issue. Unfortunately it didnt.

I had the pool tech come back and and he just swapped the motor, however that didn't fix the issue.

I asked an electrician to come to check to make sure all the "electrical stuff" looked good to him and he said that the motor was getting the proper voltage & amps etc.

I have no idea what to do. What information can I give this group to help me out? What tests can I run to try to figure this out?

Super frustrating...never experienced this before.

Thank you for any advice! Happy to take pictures of the motor, pump, setup etc.

Thank you
Matt
 
Mbarron13 said:
he said that the motor was getting the proper voltage & amps etc.
Click to expand...
What were the readings for volts and amps?

What impeller is in the pump?

Has the impeller ever been replaced?

Is the voltage selector set to the correct voltage?

Do not change the voltage selector unless you are 100% sure.

Can you show the wiring compartment?

Can you show the breaker that goes to the pump?

Maybe a video of the pump running?

Post video on YouTube and link.
 
Last edited:
Your pump model is WF-26, which means that the impeller should be a 073128.

However, the pump is 20 years old, so the impeller has probably been replaced.

The seal-plate has been replaced.

There are 2 different 1.5 HP WhisperFlo pumps, which is confusing and the new impeller you have is probably a 073129, which requires a total Hp of 2.2 hp.

Impeller......Total HP.

073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45

1668039234460.png
 
JamesW said:
Your pump model is WF-26, which means that the impeller should be a 073128.

However, the pump is 20 years old, so the impeller has probably been replaced.

The seal-plate has been replaced.

There are 2 different 1.5 HP WhisperFlo pumps, which is confusing and the new impeller you have is probably a 073129, which requires a total Hp of 2.2 hp.

Impeller......Total HP.

073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45

View attachment 461781
Click to expand...
Thanks James, so you think the motor I have (1.5 HP) is undersized for the pump? Could that be what’s causing the issue?

Or should I just check to see which impeller I have?
 
What you're describing sounds like a thermal overload cycle. Most motors have a temperature-activated switch that opens if the windings get too hot. When they cool, the switch closes again. That's what causes the off-on-off. I suppose a too-aggressive impeller could easily cause that.

Carefully feel the outside of the motor right after it switches off. Careful because it could burn if this is the problem.

Side note: a 1.5 hp Whisperflo is a huge pump for a 10k pool. If you have the budget, a VSP can be tuned to use a lot less power and run quieter. Given the age of your pump, seems like a good thing to do.
 
Mbarron13 said:
Hey James - looks like the impeller is 073131. Should I install the 073128?
Click to expand...
Impeller......Total HP.

073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45

Based on the total hp of 1.65, the 073128 would be the correct motor.

You can also use a 073127 if you want less power and less flow.

If the impeller is a 073131, then the motor load is about 2.1 times too high.

I am surprised that it ran for more than a minute at twice the design load.
 

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JamesW said:
Impeller......Total HP.

073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45

Based on the total hp of 1.65, the 073128 would be the correct motor.

You can also use a 073127 if you want less power and less flow.

If the impeller is a 073131, then the motor load is about 2.1 times too high.

I am surprised that it ran for more than a minute at twice the design load.
Click to expand...
Awesome. Thank you for the advice. I will pick up the new impeller tomorrow and install it.
 
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