Noisy pump - pac-fab 1 hp pool pump questions

[FletchMan]

Hi -

I am looking at either replacing the seals, impeller or the entire pump soon.

After the recent storm, leaved got in my skimmer and restricted water flow for a couple of hours, until I got home to clear it out.

It still pumps strong, but is now, sort of load you know....

Here are photos:

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad171/fletcherdunton/Pool/IMG_4138.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad171/fletcherdunton/Pool/IMG_4137.jpg

QUESTIONS:

1. Who makes the pump? The pump says "PAC-FAB" The motor is a 1 HP POOL PUMP.

2. If you have any experience with this type of pump, please share weather you recommend replacing it or just put a new impeller and seal kit in.

We bought this home last year and I believe the pump is the 2nd one for this pool.

Thank you and Best Regards to All,
Frodo9

 

[FletchMan]

Answers:

* Sounds like the bearings are going out.

* Pentair makes the pump. It is a CFII-N1-1A Series and you can get the seal kit online. If the pump is holding a prime and has good output pressure then rebuild it with a seal kit and save you money for something else.

* US Motors or Emerson makes the motor, but it is a 56Y frame and 1HP, Single Speed, so you have many choices.

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Bottom Line - After this analysis and troubleshooting, it seems the bearings are going out, from the noise its making. So, i have a new motor on order and will upgrade to a 2 speed. It's a 56Y frame, so I will go with one of these:

http://www.poolcenter.com/p/1-5hp-2sp-square-flange-56y-frame-pool-and-spa-pump-motor

I also ordered the seal kit for the pump and will do the install myself. Then, I plan to rebuild the existing motor and use it as a spare. I found a lot of great info here and am never afraid get my hands into it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fSVT8qk83s

 

[FletchMan]

PS - I called the local pool store to price a replacement motor. They must double everything they touch and charge 2X the already inflated retail price. ...
Then they said: "... Plus,. $99.00 to do the motor replacement. Oh, if there is nothing else wrong. And of course if the have to come out, well that is a another $99. And of course, then there's the lead time of parts..."

Blah Blah Blah....

After I picked myself up off the floor, I replied "no thank you" and decided to do it myself. Glad I am a DIY'er and Engineer.

Also plan to tidy up the wiring and replace the old electro-mechanical timer with an digital one.

 

[FletchMan]

Well, I decided against just replacing the motor because the pump had quite a bit of age on it.

So, I purchased a Jacuzzi VSP150 from a local store: http://www.jacuzzipool.com/product/jacuzzi-j-vsp150-variable-speed-in-ground-pool-pump/

Picked it up Thursday and made a list of PVC items: pipe and fittings, a few Electrical items and went by the hardware on the way home. Then I broke down the old one and uninstalled it. I took my time Friday evening and this weekend and installed the new one.

Also, took the opportunity to clean up old pipe and wiring seemed haphazardly installed. The end result is a new pump that is working extremely well and a super clean installation.

I programmed it and ran it through its paces today. I will try and post some photo's of it.