Pump running hot

[monkeysocks]

Hi all,

My pump runs really hot, too hot to touch. It has shut down twice on hot sunny days. I'm assuming this is not normal and it needs to be replaced. Could someone please confirm my suspicions?

Here's a pic using a thermal camera:



Thanks,
monkey

 

[zea3]

How is the water flow? Does the pump basket fill completely with no air bubbles?

 

[Jhsparky82]

All motors have a temperature rise factored in. Should say on the nameplate. As for it shutting off in the heat of the day, they have thermal overloads, designed to do exactly that. How hot was it? Pump in direct sun? Any air movement around it?

The thermal image didn't show any hot spots like a winding starting to arc or anything bad like that. The whole thing was overall just warm. Do you turn it off or run it 24/7?

 

[monkeysocks]

There's no air in the basket. The temp from the pump earlier today was 234F, it's kinda hard to see but if you look directly in the middle of the pic it shows the temp. The pump is a spot where it's always shaded.

 

[JamesW]

That's way too hot. Probably time for a new motor. Check volts and amps to see what's happening with those.

 

[Jhsparky82]

Ok, 234 is way too hot. Didn't see that detail. Normal temp rise might be 60 over ambient. Maybe the bearings are starting to go?

 

[monkeysocks]

Thanks everyone! I just ordered a VS motor to replace my old single speed.

 

[JamesW]

Most variable speed motors are single voltage (usually 230 volts).

Make sure that the supply voltage matches.

That FLIR camera is really cool. What camera is it?

 

[monkeysocks]

Most variable speed motors are single voltage (usually 230 volts).

Make sure that the supply voltage matches.

That FLIR camera is really cool. What camera is it?

There are two breakers with a bridge between them going to the pump, so I'll assume it's 220v now and validate after I've unplugged the old pump.

It's a FLIR ONE camera dongle that turns a phone into a thermal camera. I bought it yesterday to check for air leaks and whatnot around the house, but all I've done so far is read the pool, dogs and steak temps

 

[JamesW]

Nice, I need to get one of those.