Pool party today. Woke up with pump not running. Help

[Nathanstl]

Pump is about 4 years old. I woke up this morning with it hot but not running. Pump basket was full of water and had no air in it. When I kick it on it just hums. Left it off for about 30 minutes. Same result. Just humming. Could this be a capacitor? I’m thinking capacitor / motor / pump. Where should I start? I’m trying to fix this morning so I can heat the pool up for a party this afternoon. Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

Sounds like a capacitor.
Read Pump Capacitors - Further Reading

 

[Texas Splash]

Yeah, I would assume a cap as well. Not sure about that motor, if you only have the one on top or another in the backplate. You might check, get the part numbers and hit-up Amazon Prime or some other source of your choosing. I just got a start and run cap for my motor and each was under $20. But the only way to get replacements in such short notice would be locally. Check all pool and motor repair shops, you might get lucky. Remember if you do replace the cap(s) to carefully discharge the old ones.

If you can't get the cap today, increase the FC now, start brushing all around so that you can hopefully keep the water clear.

 

[Chad1979]

Did you check to see if there was anything in the impeller or that it spins freely? If its jammed or bot spinning freely that can cause the motor to get hot and possibly cause the hum from it trying to turn. Just a thought.

 

[ship of fools]

You can still have your pool party today. Just dose with liquid chlorine and brush thoroughly to mix up the water and you'll be okay. When my pump went I found a good deal on Craiglist.

 

[Nathanstl]

Thanks for your help everyone. I obtained. 30/440V capacitor and it fixed it. Now 3 weeks later it’s doing the exact same thing. Everyone seems to carry the 30/370V but not the 440V. Any ideas on what is causing the premature failure? What else should I check?

 

[Texas Splash]

I obtained. 30/440V capacitor and it fixed it. Now 3 weeks later it’s doing the exact same thing. Everyone seems to carry the 30/370V but not the 440V. Any ideas on what is causing the premature failure? What else should I check?

Starting to get deep into motor concepts now. Maybe @JamesW will have a final thought.

 

[JamesW]

The 370 should be fine. Maybe check the voltage and current going to the pump while running.

Make sure that the shaft is turning freely.

Is the pump getting hot?

 

[Nathanstl]

Yes it does get hot, but it’s in the sun and my water feature pump is just as hot so I don’t think it abnormally hot. I can grab a reading on it.