Flooded Pentair AGP pump - what to do?

markcw97 · Sep 17, 2018

We had about 11 inches of rain over the past couple of days, thanks to Florence. Because our pool is on a sloping lawn and we didn't think through where to put the pump, it is on the uphill side and so it sits level with the bottom of the AG pool, inside a makeshift box to hold back the surrounding dirt.

You guessed it, that box filled up with water, well above the top of the Pentair 1.5HP pump. It didn't help that the skimmer overflowed into it even though I had drained it about 6-8 inches prior to the storm! The pump was off and disconnected from power the whole storm, and I drained the water out of it last evening.

Would the pump being submerged for 8-10 hours ruin it, or is there a danger in firing it up now that it has dried out?

Thanks in advance for any science lessons or good advice on what to do. I am anxious to get the water circulating, the bottom vacuumed, and the SWG going to bring the CL level back up!

Pool_Medic · Sep 17, 2018

I would think it’s done, they are made to be outdoors but not fully submersed. Tine to shop for a new one.

Ted527 · Sep 17, 2018

There is a good chance the motor will be ok, especially if it is a single speed pump with no fancy electronics.
Every thing MUST be 100% dry before power is put to it or you will let out the magic smoke.
Taking the back off the motor and blowing out the wiring and switch before spraying with WD-40 or something similar would increase your odds of success.

markcw97 · Sep 17, 2018

Thanks folks. I will definitely try to avoid polluting the air with "the magic smoke" and hopefully get it to work again!

Also will re-think the current setup and maybe put in a drainage pipe before the next hurricane season!

danpik · Sep 18, 2018

If you are comfortable with disassembling the motor, you can probably save it. The dirt and moisture that got inside it will be what destroys it if it is started before it is cleaned and dry. Once you get it apart, rinse it out with clean water, preferably RO water or DI water (bottled) and let dry. I have put the armatures and stators in an oven at about 150-175 deg F for a few hours to help dry them. Be careful of the capacitors as they may still hold a charge. (short between the two terminals to discharge them). Please do not spray the internal parts with WD40 or anything else. This is just as bad or worse than having water inside the motor. Clean and oil the bearings, or replace them and you should be good to go.

Dan

Ted527 · Sep 18, 2018

Spraying the internal parts such as wiring and the centrifugal switch is EXACTLY what WD-40 was created for. :brickwall:

markcw97 · Sep 18, 2018

Thanks, Dan.

I had gotten some advice from some others on FaceBook to use WD-40, and I did. Left it out in the sun to dry today, and then fired it up. It lives to pump another day!!

Granted, it may have lost some of its life, but I've already gotten over 2 years out of it, so I can't complain.