Leaking capacitor

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audi_driver_

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Jul 27, 2022
52
Houston
Pool Size
17000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Howdy! My pool water has been perfect, but recently I discovered my pool pump motor's capacitor leaked fluid everywhere and the pump won't run.

Easy fix, right? Not seemingly.. I have spare capacitors (three) and none of them would fire up the pump. Doing a little inspection this afternoon I noticed ANTS under the capacitor motor?

Knowing the capacitor leaked, what are my next steps to trouble shoot the motor?

Thanks in advance!
 
Ants? Fire ants perhaps? Those pesky suckers cause a lot of damage in our region. Are you able to look into the rear of the motor to determine if there is any additional visual) damage? It's possible along with the capacitor, they may have made a home in there and chewed through some wiring or something else in the motor. The 3 caps you tried, they were suitable replacements right?
 
Texas Splash said:
Ants? Fire ants perhaps? Those pesky suckers cause a lot of damage in our region. Are you able to look into the rear of the motor to determine if there is any additional visual) damage? It's possible along with the capacitor, they may have made a home in there and chewed through some wiring or something else in the motor. The 3 caps you tried, they were suitable replacements right?
Click to expand...

Just the same yard ants that are all over. Nothing crazy around my house or neighborhood but they moved in quickly! Im hoping its something simple. Like perhaps the fluid is sweet and attracted them.

I have not taken a pump/motor apart before, but I know that I can. It's the putting it back together part that gets tricky. I will go investigate.

Yes the three I tried were new and should be the correct spec.
 
Kinda at a loss here. There is seemingly no cover to remove to inspect the motor, but there is not any signs of ant mounds of further infestation.

Taking the ants out of the equation what is the protocol of trouble-shooting a motor mysteriously eating a capacitor?
 
370 vs. 440 should not make any significant difference.

The 440 is a better capacitor, but the 370 should work just fine.

Capacitors usually die due to heat.

How hot is the motor getting?

The uF microfarad rating affects the motor power factor, but it should not affect the capacitor if you have the wrong capacitance.

You should have the same exact capacitance rating as the pump's original capacitor to make the pump operate efficiently.

The wrong capacitor can lead to higher motor temperatures.
 
How old is the pump?

If the motor has been replaced, the motor might be too small, which will cause overheating, which can damage a capacitor.

Check the amp rating on the motor label and check the actual amperage with a clamp ammeter.

Can you show pictures of everything?

Check the supply voltage and make sure it is correct for the motor as configured.

Check the voltage under load and no load to make sure that you are not getting excessive voltage drop.
 

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JamesW said:
How old is the pump?

If the motor has been replaced, the motor might be too small, which will cause overheating, which can damage a capacitor.

Check the amp rating on the motor label and check the actual amperage with a clamp ammeter.

Can you show pictures of everything?

Check the supply voltage and make sure it is correct for the motor as configured.

Check the voltage under load and no load to make sure that you are not getting excessive voltage drop.
Click to expand...

I would guess the pump is probably 10 years old, but in all honestly I have no clue.

I have to presume the supply voltage is correctly spec'd for the pump as it has reliable. As far the testing goes, I will need to research what that is, and what tool I will need to buy or borrow to get it down.

Here are some pics of what I am working with:

52478831267_a9de644f6d_k.jpg


52479607019_7d06332e90_k.jpg


JamesW said:
370 vs. 440 should not make any significant difference.

The 440 is a better capacitor, but the 370 should work just fine.

Capacitors usually die due to heat.

How hot is the motor getting?

The uF microfarad rating affects the motor power factor, but it should not affect the capacitor if you have the wrong capacitance.

You should have the same exact capacitance rating as the pump's original capacitor to make the pump operate efficiently.

The wrong capacitor can lead to higher motor temperatures.
Click to expand...
Not sure on how hot its getting. Ive owned the home/pool for just over 2 years and gone through a handful in that timeframe (on the same pump), as well as a motor replacement. I scoured the internet trying to find the original capacitor specs and could not find it.
 
The motor was made on the 258th day of 2020, so it is only about 2 years old.

What is pump model number?

Look for a barcode sticker on the front of the pump with a barcode, date and a P/N (Part Number) or Model Number for the pump.

The motor sizing for the WhisperFlo pump is very confusing and it is easy to get the wrong size motor.

Can you show the pump switches, timers and breakers?

1667703211516.png


1667703317170.png
 
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I really appreciate the help on this, it stinks not know where to start or what is what.

I wasn't able to find the barcode, but I did see a generic Pentair Whisperflo label on one side, and the more detailed tag pictured below.

52480942412_dbc21fbd51_k.jpg


Timer:
52481772384_f602a2555d_k.jpg


Breaker box:
I didnt see any tripped breakers, and I have tried resetting them a handful of times without any success.
52481772379_d3508168f1_k.jpg
 
Your original motor was a total of 2.6 HP and your new motor is only 2.2 HP, which means that it is too small.

Your original impeller was a 073130.

To use a 2.2 HP motor, you would need to change the impeller to a 073129.

Impeller......Total HP.

073126.........0.95
073127.........1.25
073128.........1.65
073129.........2.20
073130.........2.60
073131.........3.45
 
You can remove the breaker panel access door to get access to the breaker wires and then use a clamp ammeter to measure the amperage and voltage of the motor, but the motor is too small unless the impeller was replaced with a smaller impeller when the motor was replaced.

Note: Do not do any electrical work unless you are 100% sure that you can do it safely.
 
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The pump is from January 2004, so almost 19 years old.

I would recommend replacing the pump with an IntelliFlo VSF (or maybe a Jandy VS pump), which is the variable speed version of the WhisperFlo.

The IntelliFlo VSF might work with the AquaLink RS software if it is the right version, but you have to verify that first.

You can run the IntelliFlo at low speed and the lower speed will be much quieter and it will save you a lot (about 90%) of money on electricity.

Your utility might offer a rebate on a new variable speed pump.

Your current power use is about 2,600 watts and you can run at lower speed and the power use will be about 260 watts.

When the pump is replaced, the breaker needs to be replaced as well with a 20 amp GFCI breaker.

www.homedepot.com

Siemens 20 Amp Double Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QF220AP - The Home Depot

Prevent a ground fault in construction applications like spas, hot tubs, kitchens or bathrooms with this Siemens Double Pole Type QPF GFCI Circuit Breaker.
www.homedepot.com
 
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Note that the breaker panel specifies GE breakers, so you might need to use a GE breaker.

For variable speed pumps, the Siemens breaker is less likely to false trip due to the way a variable speed pump uses power.

So, the Siemens breaker is preferred when it can be used.

If you can verify that the Siemens is acceptable in your panel, I would use that, otherwise you will need to use the GE breaker.

1667761658478.png

www.homedepot.com

GE 20 Amp Double Pole Ground Fault Breaker with Self-Test THQL2120GFTP - The Home Depot

The GE 20 Amp Double Pole Ground Fault Circuit Breaker with Self-Test has a tin plated copper stab to create a reliable, permanent and corrosion resistant connection. The Self-Test functionality is a UL requirement on all GFCI devices commencing in June 2015. This variant of the GFCI ensures its...
www.homedepot.com
 
Since you have a Jandy automation center, you might want to use a Jandy pump so that it can communicate with the pump if the automation software is compatible.

What is the Jandy software version?

If your AquaLink RS is from 2004, then it won't communicate with a variable speed pump unless you upgrade the system.

CPU REVISION CHANGES

  • 2007 – Rev. N = Complete change to PCB. The operating chip is no longer a PPD, it is now a CPU (Central Processing Unit) board. The AquaLink RS can be connected via the RS 485 line to a Jandy AE Heat Pump &/or a Jandy LXi Gas Heater.
  • 2008 – Rev O = Communication with Variable Speed pumps.
  • 2009 – Rev P = Communication with ChemLink, LM3, AutoClear Plus & DuoClear.
  • 2010 - Rev Q = first support for Touch Screen panel.
  • 2012- Rev R = internet control of Jandy Aqualink system via smartphone or web
  • 2018 - Rev. T.2 is the latest revision level

Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Can you show this sticker (Red arrow).


1667762282897.png
 
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Depending on the control you want, you can use the controller on the Intelliflo VSF or upgrade the AquaLink RS or maybe go with an IntelliFlo3, which can come with WiFi controls.

www.pentair.com

IntelliFlo3® Variable Speed & Flow Pool Pump

The award-winning, energy-efficient IntelliFlo3 VSF Pool Pump has a quiet design with sensorless flow control, app connectivity, and automation capability.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com





 

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