Pool Pump Overheats and Shuts Off

[wille]

I have a 12 year old pool with the original pump. The pump has started to turn off and then go back on. It has happened three times (that I am aware of). When it turned off today, I went over and felt the motor and it was quite hot. About 10 minutes later, it turned back on. In a search for "how long pool pumps last in Florida" (they run all year long), it showed to be 8 - 12 years. Would you suggest that I replace the pump, given the overheating and it is this old?

 

[Texas Splash]

Would you suggest that I replace the pump, given the overheating and it is this old?

Not only that, but a single speed is really hard on energy. Look into the wide variety of variable speed pumps and you'll probably save quite a bit on your electric bill. At the very least, even a 2-speed running on low speed is much better.

 

[1poolman1]

Your pump is an up-rated 1hp. That information is from the motor rating plate (1hp x 1.25sf [service factor]) = 1.25 total horsepower (that is a full-rated 3/4hp pump).
While nothing is "as good as new," except new, installing a V-Green 165 (ECM16SQ) motor would be a good, less expensive, option to a new pump that can be used with your existing time clock (unless you have automation).

 

[wille]

Your pump is an up-rated 1hp. That information is from the motor rating plate (1hp x 1.25sf [service factor]) = 1.25 total horsepower (that is a full-rated 3/4hp pump).
While nothing is "as good as new," except new, installing a V-Green 165 (ECM16SQ) motor would be a good, less expensive, option to a new pump that can be used with your existing time clock (unless you have automation).

Would this V-Green 165 motor "bolt on" to the existing front housing with strainer basket or would I/should I replace the whole thing? I have a Goldline Pro Logic pool controller, if tht answers your question on pool timer/automation. Thank you.

 

[1poolman1]

While it would bolt on (need new shaft seal and body gasket), it won't communicate directly with your automation. Only a Hayward VSP will and then it will only give you two speeds.
A willing and competent tech, or you (its not that hard), could set it up to work but you won't be able to adjust speeds from the Pro Logic. This is not really an issue unless you want complete control, and you have never needed that so far, having only one speed. If you set the pump to work on one speed only, you would never see a difference except quieter operation.
I have installed a few of them to Hayward (Goldline) automation while letting the owner know the limitations. It really only affects spa usage, and then only minimally.

 

[wille]

While it would bolt on (need new shaft seal and body gasket), it won't communicate directly with your automation. Only a Hayward VSP will and then it will only give you two speeds.
A willing and competent tech, or you (its not that hard), could set it up to work but you won't be able to adjust speeds from the Pro Logic. This is not really an issue unless you want complete control, and you have never needed that so far, having only one speed. If you set the pump to work on one speed only, you would never see a difference except quieter operation.
I have installed a few of them to Hayward (Goldline) automation while letting the owner know the limitations. It really only affects spa usage, and then only minimally.

So that I better understand, I have a few questions. As an aside, I don't use the spa except as a spillover into the pool. Will I be able to use dual speeds on the VSP, with the caveat to adjust it on the pump and not the Pro Logic? It looks simple to hook up, but the factory says to use a certified tech to install. You feel that if I follow directions, have good DIY skills, turn off the power when installing, etc, that I should be able to install it? Thank you for helping me with this.

 

[Getitrite]

if I follow directions, have good DIY skills, turn off the power when installing, etc, that I should be able to install it?

^^^
@wille I won't give you a TFP exprt answer, just my personal experience. I replaced single speed Hayward motor on my Hayward Super Pump with a V-Green 165 3 years ago. Yes. If you're handy and do the above, you should be able to make the swap. I didn't time myself, just took my time and triple-checked each step of the process. The motor has 3 preset speeds (+ an Over Ride speed), if that answers your question about being able to use Dual Speeds. It has flexibility, depending on how you want to use it.

 

[1poolman1]

So that I better understand, I have a few questions. As an aside, I don't use the spa except as a spillover into the pool. Will I be able to use dual speeds on the VSP, with the caveat to adjust it on the pump and not the Pro Logic? It looks simple to hook up, but the factory says to use a certified tech to install. You feel that if I follow directions, have good DIY skills, turn off the power when installing, etc, that I should be able to install it? Thank you for helping me with this.

The two speeds I mentioned were for using a Hayward VSP with the Pro Logic. Until they updated their systems, the pumps were "smarter" than the automation.
If you use the V-Green 165, it is hooked to a relay, just like your existing pump, with two power leads and a ground at the motor (plus the bond wire).
You set the speeds in the motor. If you watch this video (below), it explains how to use the motor with a mechanical timeclock. Just substitute your automation for the time clock and it will work the same. I've done it several times with no problems, both with automation and a timeclock.

Basically, you set the "on" time with the Pro Logic, set the "off" time 23.5 hours later, and set the motor for the actual speeds and duration of those speeds in the motor itself. Takes longer to explain than to do. Biggest thing to look for on that motor is that, if you turn the power off to the motor, you must wait a few minutes before restoring it. When servicing the system you use the "start/stop" button on the motor only. If you don't, its not an issue, you just re-start the motor's internal timer for that day only.

 

[JamesW]

You should get a TriStar VS 2.7 HP variable speed pump.

 

[wille]

After giving it much consideration, I had a local pool contractor install a Hayward 1.85 HP VS pump, rather than doing it myself. He wired it to the Goldline Prologic automation. When the pump starts for the day and primes, he set it at 75%. After a few minutes, it switches to 50% for the remainder of the day. I am happy with this flow volume, as the pool flows through a fountain in a spa and pours over a spillway. He left the pump timer run for 8 hours, which I had it running previously with the single speed. How to I figure if that is the proper amount of water being filtered per day? I ask as I see some posts where the VSP is running 24x7.

 

[Lake Placid]

The turnover (myth) is not a concern in a residential setting as you have no local regulatory body mandating a specific turnover rate in order to operate. You should run your system long enough at a high enough RPM to provide enough chlorine with your SWG to meet your daily demand. Beyond that you run to provide the amount of skimming action that you deem appropriate for your pool.