Need to replace pump motor: will it work with Intermatic timer? Other options?

[deathbypool]

The pump is still working/circulating water. However, it started leaking yesterday.
As the motor housing is corroded, I was going to replace the entire motor (as opposed to changing out seals/gaskets, etc.)
Apparently, some motor replacements cannot be shipped to California & am only seeing the A. O. Smith's V-Green EVO variable speed pump motor as a viable option. (Over $500 on Inyopools: Century (A.O. Smith) V-Green EVO 1.30 HP Up Rate VS Motor, Square Flange 48Y Frame, Variable Speed - Model EVQ130 - INYOPools.com)

Two questions:

1. Are there any other less-expensive compatible options?
2. If that's the one I should get, will it work with an Intermatic automatic timer?

Current Pump:
Pentair WhisperFlo
Model WFE-3
3/4 Horsepower
1.67 SF
56Y Square Frame (6 bolts)
3450 RPM

This is an inherited pool & hoping to fix it "just enough" to last another year or so before any major rehaul. (I don't want to touch any piping!)

Images below

 

[deathbypool]

 

[deathbypool]

would this one work??

Century A.O. Smith - E-Plus 56Y Square Flange 1/2HP Full Rated Pool and Spa Pump Motor​

https://lesliespool.com/century-e-plus-56y-square-flange-1-2hp-pool-and-spa-pump-motor/620059.html

1/2 Horsepower
1.90 SF

 

[sande005]

Can't advise directly on whether the V-Green you noted will fit the pump.

But I have owned a V-green for many years now, and it just keeps pumping.
It allows you to set up to 3 different settings in a 24 hr period. I run mine at high for 2 hrs, med for 2 hrs, and low for 20 hrs. You can program in the duration in 2 hr increments, and the speed for each in 200 rpm increments. The 24 hr period starts when the pump gets turned on, not from some hidden clock.
My low speed is set to just enough to keep the heater and SWCG running. All three are hooked to an 3 port intermatic timer. The timer turns off the pump a 6:59 AM, and back on at 7AM - that kicks off the pumps 24 hr cycle. The timer turns off the heater and SWCG 1/2 hr before pump shutdown (to allow cooling time for the heater, if it needs it), and starts the heater/SWCG 1/2 hr after the pump restarts.
Being able to run for 20 hrs on low speed has been fantastic for my electric bill. I used to be one of the biggest energy users in the neighborhood in the summer, according to my utility, due to the old single speed pump. Now I routinely end up in "the most efficient" category. And most in the area do not have pools! I likely could eliminate the high and med settings - but I like to have a little more active skimming in the morning, in case stuff blew into the pool overnight.
So consider the big energy savings you might be able to gain. It can be surprising how much more energy even a few hours on high speed needs vs many hours on low speed.

 

[deathbypool]

Thanks for the good review of the V-Green!
Do you know if it'll work with an Intermatic automatic timer?

 

[sande005]

Buried in the post - so to be explicit - yes it will. All the timer needs to do is cut power, and then later restore it - just like using a switch to turn it on and off.

I have not done lots of combinations in trying out it's run program, but in sum, after relooking at the manual:
When first given power, it's internal 24 hr clock starts to run. There is no way to set the clock for the time of day, 24hrs just starts at the time the power comes on.
It has 3 "steps" that can be programmed for time and speed. The time has to be in 2 hr increments, and the speed in 250 rpm increments (I said 200 before)
The 3 steps cannot, combined, total more than 24 hrs. They can total less - and the pump just turns itself off for the remainder. The steps do not have to be different from each other. At the end of 24 hrs, the pump cycles the three steps again, day after day.
It does not forget what the steps are supposed to be, when power is lost. Mine even remembers after a 5 month winter sleep with no power. (but I do check the settings, just in case!)
If power is cut part way through the 24 hr cycle, it starts over with a new 24 hr cycle when power comes back. When it restarts, it runs for a few minutes on "low" to prime the pump - this is fixed and cannot be changed.

So for pump only operation, a timer isn't needed. But one CAN use a timer, if for nothing else to make sure the 24hr cycle starts at the same time each day, rather than "whenever the power was last turned on".
If the timer only supplies power for say 12 hrs, and the pump steps add up to more than that, it just never runs whatever the remainder was set to do.
The issue is when using a timer to control other things (heater, etc.) and nothing on the pump - without a clock that knows the time of day, easy for the pump's start and stop times to get out of synch with the other items. Hence why I use a timer that can separately control three things - pump, heater, SWCG. The timer enforces that all 3 stay in synch.

There are additional buttons on the pumps keypad, that in some instances can cause the timer to reset the 24 hr period, even if power is left on. So I do find that having the timer that gets it all back on track to run at a certain time of day, after I've messed with it, pretty useful.

 

[deathbypool]

Thanks for your reply - and especially the explicit answer! I think I'm understanding a bit more.
Currently, my timer is only turning the pump on (I don't have any other equipment). That's where the power source is.
I don't understand how the VGreen would get power if not connected to the timer the same way.

I'm hoping to swap the motors out myself. So, trying to configure power differently is definitely beyond what I want to take on.

I emailed Inyopools to confirm the VGreen will work with my pump's wet side.
I imagine it'll be at least another week before any motor arrives and can be replaced.

Do you know if I can still run the current pump with a small leak? At least for a couple hours a day?

 

[sande005]

The pump was primarily for people without timers, and no other things that had to turn on and off. It does have connections for some advanced automation things - but my brain fogged at that as it seemed pretty complicated.
Wiring it the same way into your timer should be no issue at all.

Your guess is as good as mine about the leak. Likely a shaft seal on the motor. Talk to Inyo about what additional seals, etc. they would recommend replacing. You don't want to have the leak continue due to reuse of old parts. But I can't say whether it will currently keep on keeping on, nor whether there might be a concern about an electrical short problem now or in the future.