Electrical noise from pump after lightning strike

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dannytrigo

Active member
Mar 27, 2023
32
Florida
Pool Size
12000
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Jandy Truclear / Ei
Hi all,

Bit of a strange one. I had a very close lightning strike a few days ago. It damaged a lot of equipment, mainly computers/network equipment and my TV, receiver etc.
Over the following few days, I noticed many things in my house with a high pitched buzz/whine. Things like computer power supplies, but even the toothbrush charger and Nest thermostat.
I also had the same buzz but much louder from the breaker that my pool equipment is on, and from the circuitry on the pool pump.

I found that it seems to actually be coming from the pump, and is somehow causing that on all the other electrical devices in my house. The frequency of the buzz changes with the pump speed, and goes away when the pump is off.

So, I think the lightning damaged some circuitry on my pump, probably something that suppresses electrical noise from the motor, like a capacitor or something. However, it still runs fine apart from this problem.

I have a Jandy V5Plus HP. Does anyone know if its possible to replace just the electronics parts that may be broken without spending a fortune on a new pump?
Has anyone experienced anything like this before?

Thanks
 
Have you checked that the electrical wiring to the pump is all intact? This is only a guess, but I'm wondering whether the pump is no longer properly grounded such that some small amount of alternating current is traveling through your home instead of going to ground.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply. I’ve checked on the cable that goes into the pump and all 3 are secure, live, neutral and earth. I’ll have to try and open the pump up to see if there’s any internal damage
 
The Jandy Drive Motor which contains the pump electronics will cost you about $1,900

I think you will be better off replacing the pump and getting a new warranty on it.

Do you have Aqualink and need a Jandy pump?

Jandy VS PlusHP Series Pump Parts

Jandy VS PlusHP Series Pump Parts
www.getpoolparts.com www.getpoolparts.com
 
I don't have Aqualink. I currently control my pump through HomeAssistant with a NodeMCU wired up with an RS485 board using this module: GitHub - gazoodle/CenturyVSPump: ESPHome custom component to drive Century (and other) variable speed pump motors - pretty much gives me the Aqualink kind of functionality for $20 in parts.

So I guess I could replace it with any pump, but it would be nice to maintain control through Home Assistant (though not essential). Do I need to be careful of what HP/flow rate pump I would get depending on the size of my pipes? I was always a little frustrated I didn't get good flow in the waterfalls from my spa, and definitely couldn't use those at the same time as the main waterfall. Would be good to have enough HP to have both on at the same time if I'm going to replace it - but I don't want to burst my pipes (or my heat pump) with too much pressure.
 
Is your current pump 1.65HP or 2.7HP?

It helps us help you if you will create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

And pics of your equipment pad would be helpful.

If your pool uses Scheudle 40 PVC you cannot burst your pipes from any HP pool pump.

With a VS pool pump youc an dial in the HP that your pool operates best at at any given time.
 

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Would a Pentair IntelliFlo3 be a good replacement for a Jandy VS PlusHP 2.7 do you think? And provide a bit more flow?
I guess I may need to make pipe adjustments for it.

What would be a good price for either of those pumps? The jandy and the pentair
 
dannytrigo said:
Would a Pentair IntelliFlo3 be a good replacement for a Jandy VS PlusHP 2.7 do you think? And provide a bit more flow?
Click to expand...

Why do you think you need more flow?

You have a small cartridge filter and a Heat Pump that constrain your flow.
dannytrigo said:
What would be a good price for either of those pumps? The jandy and the pentair
Click to expand...


Jandy does not put their prices on the net.
 
ajw22 said:
Why do you think you need more flow?
You have a small cartridge filter and a Heat Pump that constrain your flow.
Click to expand...
I have a waterfall (usually turned off) plus two smaller waterfalls from a spa, plus the pool return jets and two fountains (also usually turned off).
When I have the waterfall on, the waterfalls from the spa are just a trickle. It would be nice to have more flow there when I have the waterfall on, but its not essential. Was just thinking if I'm spending all this money to replace the pump anyway, might as well improve things a bit.

The cartridge filter you're right, could constrain the flow, though when its clean the pressure is only around 12psi when the pump is at full speed.
For the heat pump, I have a 3 way valve that can partially bypass the heatpump.

I guess it would be much simpler to just get an identical pump. I'll get some pricing from a local pool shop.
 
Two pumps would be a great idea. Have one VSP running low flow to take care of pool.
Another pump that only is used to activate water features when you want to enjoy them.
 
reggiehammond said:
Two pumps would be a great idea. Have one VSP running low flow to take care of pool.
Another pump that only is used to activate water features when you want to enjoy them.
Click to expand...
Yea, good idea. Maybe in future, but I don't really have the space for it where my equipment is without extending the platform where it is and redoing all the pipework.

For now, I am going to try replacing the capacitors on the power board of this pump to see if it fixes the problem and lets me go a few more months/years before needing to buy a new one.
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