- Jun 8, 2020
- 23
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-9)
Looking to for some feedback from the community on my troubleshooting and repair options. Hayward SP3215X20 pump with a century SP3215Z1M motor on it. We are not the original owners of the house but purchased it in May of 2020 and at the time the motor was running very loud and was replaced as part of us purchasing the house. From the permit submittals online it appears that the pool was installed in June of 2018.
Issue
Came home last night and noticed the pool was not running. Tried to turn the pump on and nothing happened. Checked the breaker box in our garage and saw the 220v GFCI breaker was tripped. Tried to flip it back on but would only go to the trip position in the middle. Went outside turned the pump off at the control panel and then was able to reset the breaker. Attempted to turn the pump back on and it made a humming sound for a few seconds and then tripped the breaker again. I then turned the full system off and planned to troubleshoot it further this morning.
Troubleshooting
Took the pump filter basket out and was able to turn the impeller by hand. The pump, spa heater, and SWCG are all wired together after the timer so I first unwired the heater and tried to turn the system back on and it hummed for a few seconds and then tripped. Next I unwired the SWCG and same situation when I turned the system on and it tripped. Finally I unwired the pump which left nothing on the circuit and for good measure turned the system on and it did not trip.
Solution
At this point it seems that the motor is bad and needs to be replaced. This will be the 3rd motor on this system in 5 years and that is a concern for me. So should I replace the entire pump and motor with the thinking being that there is slight alignment or imbalance with the pump? The other option is that the motor and pump system are on the South side of our house and get a considerable amount of sun between 11am and 4pm. Is it possible that in the sun on hot days, 105 here yesterday, that it is getting enough heat to draw more amps and burn up the motor?
Thanks in advance for any advice or additional troubleshooting guidance.
Issue
Came home last night and noticed the pool was not running. Tried to turn the pump on and nothing happened. Checked the breaker box in our garage and saw the 220v GFCI breaker was tripped. Tried to flip it back on but would only go to the trip position in the middle. Went outside turned the pump off at the control panel and then was able to reset the breaker. Attempted to turn the pump back on and it made a humming sound for a few seconds and then tripped the breaker again. I then turned the full system off and planned to troubleshoot it further this morning.
Troubleshooting
Took the pump filter basket out and was able to turn the impeller by hand. The pump, spa heater, and SWCG are all wired together after the timer so I first unwired the heater and tried to turn the system back on and it hummed for a few seconds and then tripped. Next I unwired the SWCG and same situation when I turned the system on and it tripped. Finally I unwired the pump which left nothing on the circuit and for good measure turned the system on and it did not trip.
Solution
At this point it seems that the motor is bad and needs to be replaced. This will be the 3rd motor on this system in 5 years and that is a concern for me. So should I replace the entire pump and motor with the thinking being that there is slight alignment or imbalance with the pump? The other option is that the motor and pump system are on the South side of our house and get a considerable amount of sun between 11am and 4pm. Is it possible that in the sun on hot days, 105 here yesterday, that it is getting enough heat to draw more amps and burn up the motor?
Thanks in advance for any advice or additional troubleshooting guidance.
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