Main filter pump breaker tripped

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Red and black pump wires disconnected from relay, but white and yellow wires are connected to the relay = breaker does not trip.
White and yellow disconnected; and red and black pump wires connected = immediate trip.

Seems that pump is the problem.
I am going to make sure all connections at the pump are sound and dry.
I am going to buy another relay, because they are cheap.

Anything else you can offer is appreciated.

Thanks for your help.
 
So, just to confirm everything before I started fooling with the pump itself, I swapped the wires to the adjacent relay and the breaker did the same thing- tripped immediately. I disconnected the red and black pump wires from the relay, no tripping. I disconnected the SWG white and yellow wires from the relay (but left the red and black pump wires connected to the relay) and breaker immediately tripped. Seems that the pump is the issue.
What do you do to trouble shoot a pump? Does the capacitor go bad on these? The capacitor is not bulging. I can't check if the capacitor is humming because the breaker will not allow the motor to run. I also can't get that plastic rear cap off to look in there for water or something (it is loose, but won't come off). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Get a pentair vsp. Intelliflo3 is a great pump. And will save you $$ in electrical cost vs single speed. You could also get a vsp motor for the whisper Flo.

What happened that you need to replace it?
 
James L. said:
So, just to confirm everything before I started fooling with the pump itself, I swapped the wires to the adjacent relay and the breaker did the same thing- tripped immediately. I disconnected the red and black pump wires from the relay, no tripping. I disconnected the SWG white and yellow wires from the relay (but left the red and black pump wires connected to the relay) and breaker immediately tripped. Seems that the pump is the issue.
What do you do to trouble shoot a pump? Does the capacitor go bad on these? The capacitor is not bulging. I can't check if the capacitor is humming because the breaker will not allow the motor to run. I also can't get that plastic rear cap off to look in there for water or something (it is loose, but won't come off). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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You most likely need a new motor if the breaker trips immediately on powering the motor. But, you can try one more thing.
Open the wiring compartment and look for a loose/burned wire. Disconnect the wires at the pump, be sure they are separated and not able to short to the motor case (tape is good), and reconnect to the relay.
Turn the relay on. Does the breaker trip? If so you have a short in the wires inside the conduit. New wires would be the repair.
If not, the windings in the motor are likely shorted/burned. A lightning strike can do that as well. Its time to get rid of that 2hp energy hog anyway.
 
Thanks for responding. I have another thread going to see if anyone could help me trouble shoot my inoperative pump. We had a thunderstorm (much lightning/thunder) the other night, and the 5 yr old main pump that had been working fine now trips its breaker immediately, so it won't run. Everything else is operating normally (two other pumps, lights, blower). With the help of somebody on here I tested the electronics, and they seem ok. Eliminated the SWG as well. Narrowed it down to the pump. Removed rear cap and motor shaft turns snugly/with some drag with fingers. That pump is not sold anymore.
 
Check for continuity and/or resistance between ground and the line terminals with the pump disconnected. If there is continuity you have a short. If you measure any resistance it's also a short between the windings and the housing/ground. You could also check the windings by themselves with the cap, start switch and any other do-dads that are under the rear covers disconnected. It could be an cap or start switch, which would be cheap fix.
 
James L. said:
Thanks for responding. I have another thread going to see if anyone could help me trouble shoot my inoperative pump. We had a thunderstorm (much lightning/thunder) the other night, and the 5 yr old main pump that had been working fine now trips its breaker immediately, so it won't run. Everything else is operating normally (two other pumps, lights, blower). With the help of somebody on here I tested the electronics, and they seem ok. Eliminated the SWG as well. Narrowed it down to the pump. Removed rear cap and motor shaft turns snugly/with some drag with fingers. That pump is not sold anymore.
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Century EVQ225 motor will bolt on. The relay can just power it on and off and its internal programming, which you can change somewhat, will take over. You can also wire it to the 485 terminals and get complete control over speeds and times with your EasyTouch.
Did you ever just test the wires by removing them from the pump, leaving them attached to the relay and turning that relay "on?" If it doesn't trip the breaker you definitely know you need a new pump or motor. If it does, have a short inside the conduit and just need new wires, as was mentioned in your other post.
 
PoolStored said:
Get a pentair vsp. Intelliflo3 is a great pump. And will save you $$ in electrical cost vs single speed. You could also get a vsp motor for the whisper Flo.

What happened that you need to replace it?
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Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF Variable Speed & Flow Pool Pump | 3HP 208-230V 2590W | 011075
Is this what you're referring to? Do you know if it is a drop in replacement for my present pump (Whisperflo WF-28 2hp pump standard uprated single speed, model #011774). Easytouch system
 

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The old whisperflo has a different set of dimensions from the new whisperflo. I don't know a drop in replacement.

With the easytouch, I'd recommend the intelliflo3. Either the 1.5 or 5 will save you money over the single speed.

Twer it I, I'd get the intelliflo3 VSP 3hp, and run it low speed for 24/7, it will save money over a single speed, and be much quieter.

Or as @1poolman1 indicated above, the Century EVQ225 motor and bolt it on. Make sure to get a Go-Kit.
 
James L. said:
Thanks.
Any feelings about the Pentair Whisperflo vst 011533?
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That pump is an Intelliflo with a VST (SuperFlo) motor. They are different (the motors) than an Intelliflo, which is still available and is a "drop in" in terms of size. If you don't have unions at your pump, there is still some re-plumbing that needs to be done.
Also, you will have to purchase the communication cable separately for the VST (about $45.00). It should be in the box with the Intelliflo.
 
I very helpful gentleman at a large,reputable, long standing, pool builder company in my area (they built my first pool at different house, so they know what I have now since the present pool is a clone of the one they built) is recommending the Pentair Whisperflo vst 011533. Says it is a drop in replacement, and needs the cable, and is readily available , so I can get my pool running again asap.
However, are you saying "an Intelliflo, which is still available", is better? I don't know the difference between a Superflo motor and an Intelliflo motor.
 
James L. said:
I very helpful gentleman at a large,reputable, long standing, pool builder company in my area (they built my first pool at different house, so they know what I have now since the present pool is a clone of the one they built) is recommending the Pentair Whisperflo vst 011533. Says it is a drop in replacement, and needs the cable, and is readily available , so I can get my pool running again asap.
However, are you saying "an Intelliflo, which is still available", is better? I don't know the difference between a Superflo motor and an Intelliflo motor.
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Look at pictures online and you will see the difference. With automation it may not make a difference at all in terms of use. I've never installed a VST to automation, only stand-alone.
 
I had the exact same problem a couple of months ago: as soon as I would turn the pump on the breaker would trip. It turned out the ozone device was filled with water and shorted it. I disconnected and threw it away and everything is working fine now. Hopefully that's the same for you.

During testing I ordered the computer that sits on top of the pump on ebay and replaced it, the same problem still occurred so I knew it wasn't the pump. I was able to return the computer. You could try replacing that part before buying a whole new pump I'd think.
 

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