Intelliflo VS bearing replacement - 1) any experience, and 2) any recommendations in DFW?

[GMusic]

I am pretty sure I have a bearing going out on on my Intelliflo. There is a screech when the pump first turns on. The noise is fairly speed dependent and it is fairly loud at at higher speeds. It does seem to decrease as the pump has been going awhile.

Has anyone had a bearing replaced on an Intelliflo, and if so, how did it go?

Also, does anyone have recommendations for an electrical motor or other shop in DFW qualified to replace bearings on a variable speed pump?

 

[setsailsoon]

GM,

I'm definitely not a VS drive expert. But it definitely sounds like a bearing. I'll see if can get the attention of somebody that knows a lot about them. Sounds like you're looking for an electric motor shop also and that's definitely the right answer for a VS pump. They have very strong permanent magnets that can be dangerous to deal with absent electrical shop equipment. @JamesW, @Arizonarob, @Texas Splash .

Good luck!

Chris

 

[JamesW]

You can Google electric motor shop in your area to find a shop.

Also, replace the seal in the pump.

 

[Jimrahbe]

GW,

Several years ago, when I was looking to get a pool pump motor repaired, I was told by two motor places that they would not even try to repair pool pump motors..

Not sure if that is still true or I just tried the wrong shops.. Please update this thread if you find a good place.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[setsailsoon]

GW,

Several years ago, when I was looking to get a pool pump motor repaired, I was told by two motor places that they would not even try to repair pool pump motors..

Not sure if that is still true or I just tried the wrong shops.. Please update this thread if you find a good place.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,

Was that for VS motors or any pool pump motor?

Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

Chris,

It was for a single speed motor off of a Hayward Superpump... Maybe it was because you could buy a new one for the cost of repair?????

Jim R.

 

[setsailsoon]

Jim,

Wow! I kind of understand their rationale because it's usually tough make much money if it has to be about half of new cost if they have to re-tap the front flange to the next size up bolt. But I'm pretty sure there's a shop in Dallas area we used to repair a pump that on my brother's pool. I think it was closer to Plano. I'm waiting for his reply and I'll pass it along if they're still there.

Chris

 

[GMusic]

I am also checking on a couple of possible places and will update when I know something.

 

[Brad_C]

Several years ago, when I was looking to get a pool pump motor repaired, I was told by two motor places that they would not even try to repair pool pump motors..

I'm not surprised. Every pump I've done bearings on has had a front bearing fail due to a weepy seal. If you catch it quick enough it's not too bad, but if it has been going a while there is always some pretty severe corrosion in the motor casing as a result of all the water.

I don't mind doing it as I know what I'm in for, but general pump/motor repair/rewind places *have* to charge pretty much what a new pump is worth to make it worth the time. Once you deal with the corroded-on end-bell, bearing stuck in the housing, motor bolts corroded in it just gets time consuming.

As a DIY job? I highly recommend having a go. If you get it all apart without snapping anything then it's a few tens of dollars for a set of really good quality bearings, and a new seal. If you kill it in the process or it's beyond salvation then you really haven't lost anything more than some time. Either way it's a good learning exercise.

Getting the bearings off and on the shaft can be tricky without the right tools, but if you've got it that far most motor/pump repair places will get them off and the new ones on for you for a 6 pack.

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

Not an Intelliflow but here is a video showing you how to get to the bearings on common VS pump (Astralpool Viron series) utilised here DownUnder.

Reasonably simple task for a handy DIY'er.

The 'strength of the magnets' issue is overstated - you just need to be a tad carefull not to get your fingers trapped and/or more common - don't damage the windings when inserting or removing the rotor...

 

[setsailsoon]

Not an Intelliflow but here is a video showing you how to get to the bearings on common VS pump (Astralpool Viron series) utilised here DownUnder.

Reasonably simple task for a handy DIY'er.

The 'strength of the magnets' issue is overstated - you just need to be a tad carefull not to get your fingers trapped and/or more common - don't damage the windings when inserting or removing the rotor...

I have rebuilt a number of motors myself. But not VS drives, the information I've read said the permanent magnets could cause harm. Your video blows a big hole in that premise! Part of the reason I've stayed with a 2 speed is that I know how to maintain them (that may change now). I keep a spare and can rebuild for many years. Yes repairing the frozen long skinny case bolts can be a pain and it's above the normal DIY'er capability but it's not all that hard. And more importantly, it's totally avoidable if you remove the bolts one at a time in the first year and coat the threads with anti seize. I do this to any new motor I own and never have problems years later when the rebuild is needed.

Thanks for your post.

Chris

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

And more importantly, it's totally avoidable if you remove the bolts one at a time in the first year and coat the threads with anti seize.

Good tip on coating the bolt threads with anti sieze when they are still new.