Pump Capacitor keep blowing

[jjtx]

Happy Friday folks..

I found my pump not working, the capacitor was blown. I got two capacitors from supplyhouse. put one on and started motor. Motor started and it immediately blew the capacitor. I tried the second capacitor, same result. Motor runs fine even after blowing the capacitor (well it is a start capacitor). Now I blew both the capacitors. What might be happening? is it possible that original capacitor failed naturally, and the new capacitors are just bad? or motor got any issues?

So I bought a branded, slightly expensive capacitor from Amazon, let me see what happens with it.

Any input appreciated.

 

[mas985]

Are you replacing like for like? Both mfd and voltage are important when replacing the capacitor.

Have you measured input line voltage to make sure it is within specifications?

The starter winding could have short. What is the pump and motor model #s?

 

[JamesW]

Most likely, the starter switch is not taking the capacitor out of the circuit and causing the capacitor to blow.

Can you show the wiring compartment from several angles?

 

[JamesW]

 

[JamesW]

It might be a bad centrifugal switch or maybe the pump is not getting up to speed, which will prevent the centrifugal switch from working.

 

[jjtx]

Most likely, the starter switch is not taking the capacitor out of the circuit and causing the capacitor to blow.

Can you show the wiring compartment from several angles?

Yes, it was the starter switch. Somehow two terminals were fused together. Now need to find the reason why it got fused together at first place.

I cleaned up the starter switch and motor is running now without blowing capacitor (got a capacitor from an old fried motor). But motor looks like overheating.

 

[JamesW]

But motor looks like overheating.

Check the voltage and current.

Can you show the motor label?

 

[jjtx]

Are you replacing like for like? Both mfd and voltage are important when replacing the capacitor.

Have you measured input line voltage to make sure it is within specifications?

The starter winding could have short. What is the pump and motor model #s?

Yes, it was all within specs. I found the problem actually, please check above response.

 

[drsipe]

Congratulations on solving your issue. The next step, If it's not the cenerfugal switch, it could be the governor. The governor is mounted on the end of the shaft and opens the cenerfugal switch when the motor reaches full speed.

I had one governor get damaged and would not allow the centerfuge switch to open. The capacitor would smoke within seconds of the pump start.

 

[jjtx]

Check the voltage and current.

Can you show the motor label?

 

[JamesW]

It's only about 7 years old, so it shouldn't be having too many problems.

It looks like maybe you have a seal leak.

 

[JamesW]

What pump do you have?

It does not look like a normal pool pump.

 

[1poolman1]

What pump do you have?

It does not look like a normal pool pump.

From Grainger Industrial Supply. Cast-iron pump.

Sprinkler Pump: Self-Priming, 115/230V AC, 1 1/2 hp, 53 psi Shut Off, ODP​

 

[JamesW]

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[jjtx]

From Grainger Industrial Supply. Cast-iron pump.

Sprinkler Pump: Self-Priming, 115/230V AC, 1 1/2 hp, 53 psi Shut Off, ODP​

It is not a pool filter pump. It is general purpose pump for irrigation, topping up pool etc. They all sits together.