Bad winding, 2 yr old 3HP AO Smith, causes?

[shellsingleton]

My main pump motor began making noise a couple months ago. After I got back from my last hitch offshore, it was tripping the breaker after trying to start for 5 or so seconds. I could still spin the shaft by hand, but could feel a rumble like a bearing had gone. There was no moisture to suggest the seal had gone bad.
Took it a repair shop yesterday, and they diagnosed a bad bearing housing and bad winding. AO Smiths warranty is one year, so I'm out of luck on that. I would like to avoid replacing this motor again in a couple years, so can you tell me what may have caused the failure?

 

[bobodaclown]

Bad bearing caused overheating of the insulation of the windings if there is no leak is one guess. I realize that a 3hp motor is pretty large, did it replace something that was larger? Could the pump (wet end) be partially clogged adding an additional strain on the motor?
Just a couple ideas.

 

[shellsingleton]

It does have to pull through a full skimmer sometimes. I'm out of town for a month at a time occasionally and the wife has her hands full with the kids. Your guess makes sense.
Is there a more rugged motor available? This is an AO Smith B2848 motor for a Whisperflo pump.

 

[bobodaclown]

I'm pretty sure AO Smith is the standard, do you have a bottom drain, maybe you could draw more water from the bottom drain instead all from the skimmer.

 

[Qwaxalot]

That's an awful lot of pump for a pool that size. Unless you have lots of large intake and return plumbing, Consider putting on a smaller impeller.

 

[shellsingleton]

No, I have AquaGenie skimmers with no bottom drain. That would have been a good idea though, thanks.
The motor for my Polaris went out for three months, I'm sure that contributed to the load in the skimmer baskets. Now that I have it running again, hopefully it will make it easier for my to keep things cleaned out while I'm gone.
I found a replacement motor for about $375 shipped. Looks like I'll be ordering it, plus a new PS – 1000 seal kit tomorrow.

 

[jblizzle]

If you have not ordered the motor yet, why are you not considering a smaller motor and impeller? Likely would cost less than the 3HP motor and would save electrical costs.

For that matter, you could likely get a 2-speed motor and impeller for around the same cost as the 3HP.

 

[techguy]

What was the cost of having the motor shop rewind? Maybe even add a second speed?

 

[shellsingleton]

What was the cost of having the motor shop rewind? Maybe even add a second speed?

He didnt even consider it. Said he would only rewind 30HP 3 phase or bigger motors.

 

[shellsingleton]

That's an awful lot of pump for a pool that size. Unless you have lots of large intake and return plumbing, Consider putting on a smaller impeller.

If you have not ordered the motor yet, why are you not considering a smaller motor and impeller? Likely would cost less than the 3HP motor and would save electrical costs.

For that matter, you could likely get a 2-speed motor and impeller for around the same cost as the 3HP.

OK, you guys have my attention. I figured they used 3HP in order to have enough flow/pressure for the spillover spa.
Can a compool 3600 control a 2 speed pump?
What info can I get you guys to help me decide if I can downsize and/or go with a 2 speed motor?
Thanks for all your help.

 

[shellsingleton]

Did not place the order today. Still considering my options, any input would be appreciated.