Hi TFPers,
So, today I replaced the shaft seal on my very old Polaris booster pump, only to find that it is leaking worse at the motor shaft now. Thus, I don't know if this means the impeller is bad, the volute, it's the rusty motor shaft, or I installed the shaft seal incorrectly. The first time I replaced the shaft seal a couple of years ago it was fine; I did it right. But, when I had run the booster pump dry just one time accidentally, that was enough to warrant this eventual replacement that I put off for a long time. Perhaps I waited too long and the rusty motor shaft is the problem.
Anyhow, since I really don't know what to trouble shoot next, it got me thinking if this is a sign that it's time to replace the Polaris with a Doheny robot cleaner. I have been following the Doheny Discovery, S200, Active 20, Triton thread here at TFP for some time. I ran some rough costs once on break-even point (using a max of $0.32/kwh), and if I recall it would take approx 20+ or so years to come out ahead with the Doheny.
Regardless, perhaps now it is time to re-evaluate my pool cleaner since possibly my booster pump may warrant a replacement of a new one (approx $255) or maybe it just needs a motor replacement (Century AO Smith B625 $155). Doheny's look like they could run approx $700.
Some thoughts/questions:
1. I really like how I can just leave my Polaris 280 in the water and take it out once per week (or two) to empty the bag. With the Doheny, sounds like it has to be taken out at least every week (perhpas 3-5 days) to untangle cord and clean filters. Sounds like it needs more hands on in this sense.
2. There is no work around for the power cord that will now be across the pool deck. Even if it is covered up by some safety strip or something, it will still be across the pool deck.
3. We take vacations up to 2+ weeks at a time to our secondary home. We have a pool sitter neighbor. With the Polaris, my neighbor doesn't have to do anything except in the very rare situation when the Polaris' wheels get caught in the solar blanket. With a Doheny, sounds like over a 2 week period, my neighbor would at least have to be emptying the filter and untangling the cord.
4. May save energy, even though there is a long break even point, but it does appear that it needs more routine hands on attention vs. my Polaris. Sure, the Polaris has parts that break down, but it needs less attention on a weekly basis.
Please help me if I'm am missing something. I'm having a tough time deciding on whether to continue with the Polaris and doing something with my booster pump vs. switching to a Doheny.
Tx.
So, today I replaced the shaft seal on my very old Polaris booster pump, only to find that it is leaking worse at the motor shaft now. Thus, I don't know if this means the impeller is bad, the volute, it's the rusty motor shaft, or I installed the shaft seal incorrectly. The first time I replaced the shaft seal a couple of years ago it was fine; I did it right. But, when I had run the booster pump dry just one time accidentally, that was enough to warrant this eventual replacement that I put off for a long time. Perhaps I waited too long and the rusty motor shaft is the problem.
Anyhow, since I really don't know what to trouble shoot next, it got me thinking if this is a sign that it's time to replace the Polaris with a Doheny robot cleaner. I have been following the Doheny Discovery, S200, Active 20, Triton thread here at TFP for some time. I ran some rough costs once on break-even point (using a max of $0.32/kwh), and if I recall it would take approx 20+ or so years to come out ahead with the Doheny.
Regardless, perhaps now it is time to re-evaluate my pool cleaner since possibly my booster pump may warrant a replacement of a new one (approx $255) or maybe it just needs a motor replacement (Century AO Smith B625 $155). Doheny's look like they could run approx $700.
Some thoughts/questions:
1. I really like how I can just leave my Polaris 280 in the water and take it out once per week (or two) to empty the bag. With the Doheny, sounds like it has to be taken out at least every week (perhpas 3-5 days) to untangle cord and clean filters. Sounds like it needs more hands on in this sense.
2. There is no work around for the power cord that will now be across the pool deck. Even if it is covered up by some safety strip or something, it will still be across the pool deck.
3. We take vacations up to 2+ weeks at a time to our secondary home. We have a pool sitter neighbor. With the Polaris, my neighbor doesn't have to do anything except in the very rare situation when the Polaris' wheels get caught in the solar blanket. With a Doheny, sounds like over a 2 week period, my neighbor would at least have to be emptying the filter and untangling the cord.
4. May save energy, even though there is a long break even point, but it does appear that it needs more routine hands on attention vs. my Polaris. Sure, the Polaris has parts that break down, but it needs less attention on a weekly basis.
Please help me if I'm am missing something. I'm having a tough time deciding on whether to continue with the Polaris and doing something with my booster pump vs. switching to a Doheny.
Tx.