I recently installed a new Pentair Whisperflo WFDS-24, replacing a very old Hayward Superpump. The first time I ran it on high to use the vacuum, after 20 minutes or so the motor housing got so hot I couldn't hold my hand on it. After turning it off, then trying to restart on low, it wouldn’t run until I let it cool off for several minutes. Even when running on low the housing is warmer than I think it should be. There appears to be decent airflow through the vents.
I'm not working this thing very hard (see signature), I don't think. I want to figure out if I have a problem with the pump that would justify a warranty return, or if I have some other problem. Detailed information follows, for those of you willing to stick with me!
WFDS-24 is a two-speed pump. 1.0/0.12 HP, SF 1.25 (therefore SFHP is 1.25/.15). This is 115V, not 230V.
Total length of electrical wiring from circuit breaker panel (20 AMP breaker) is no more than 25 feet, all with solid copper 12 AWG. I have bypassed my old mechanical timer; there is one switch on the circuit so I can turn the pump on and off. There is a two-position switch on the motor that came pre-installed, to control low/high speed, and I have verified that it's wired properly and securely.
Operating voltage is nominal (~121 V). At low speed, the pump is drawing its max rated amps of 4.7. At high, it's drawing its max rated amps of 14.6. This in itself seems odd.
I measured the vacuum and pressure at the pump (using the drain plugs) and found 7 in Hg/3.5 psi on low and 24 in Hg/14.5 psi on high. Using the formula for dynamic head that I find elsewhere on TFP, that gives 16 and 61 feet of dynamic head at low and high respectively. Looking at the pump curve for this pump, I estimate 26 gpm and 58 gpm, which are smack in the middle of the curve (which is good, right?). I’m getting good water flow, I believe. On low, it’s moving nearly as much water as the old pump did, I believe. Pool is clean and happy.
Potential issues: Suction line from pool is only 1.5", return is 2". I have a small leak on the suction side, but when running on low, it draws very little air; the filter basket has only a little air in the top and I see very few fine bubbles in the return. On high, it definitely sucks in more air, and the top of the filter basket is pretty turbulent.
So, what’s my problem? Do I even have a problem? Am I reducing the life of this motor running it hot and at max amps? I also note that the motor has developed a faint but consistent rattling sound, which is not stopped or modified by placing pressure on the switch plate or housing.
Sorry for the very long post, but if I’ve learned one thing on TFP, it’s that there will always be questions in response to a post, and I’m trying to anticipate to get all the info in one place. Any thoughts/advice/additional diagnostic strategies would be appreciated!
I'm not working this thing very hard (see signature), I don't think. I want to figure out if I have a problem with the pump that would justify a warranty return, or if I have some other problem. Detailed information follows, for those of you willing to stick with me!
WFDS-24 is a two-speed pump. 1.0/0.12 HP, SF 1.25 (therefore SFHP is 1.25/.15). This is 115V, not 230V.
Total length of electrical wiring from circuit breaker panel (20 AMP breaker) is no more than 25 feet, all with solid copper 12 AWG. I have bypassed my old mechanical timer; there is one switch on the circuit so I can turn the pump on and off. There is a two-position switch on the motor that came pre-installed, to control low/high speed, and I have verified that it's wired properly and securely.
Operating voltage is nominal (~121 V). At low speed, the pump is drawing its max rated amps of 4.7. At high, it's drawing its max rated amps of 14.6. This in itself seems odd.
I measured the vacuum and pressure at the pump (using the drain plugs) and found 7 in Hg/3.5 psi on low and 24 in Hg/14.5 psi on high. Using the formula for dynamic head that I find elsewhere on TFP, that gives 16 and 61 feet of dynamic head at low and high respectively. Looking at the pump curve for this pump, I estimate 26 gpm and 58 gpm, which are smack in the middle of the curve (which is good, right?). I’m getting good water flow, I believe. On low, it’s moving nearly as much water as the old pump did, I believe. Pool is clean and happy.
Potential issues: Suction line from pool is only 1.5", return is 2". I have a small leak on the suction side, but when running on low, it draws very little air; the filter basket has only a little air in the top and I see very few fine bubbles in the return. On high, it definitely sucks in more air, and the top of the filter basket is pretty turbulent.
So, what’s my problem? Do I even have a problem? Am I reducing the life of this motor running it hot and at max amps? I also note that the motor has developed a faint but consistent rattling sound, which is not stopped or modified by placing pressure on the switch plate or housing.
Sorry for the very long post, but if I’ve learned one thing on TFP, it’s that there will always be questions in response to a post, and I’m trying to anticipate to get all the info in one place. Any thoughts/advice/additional diagnostic strategies would be appreciated!