Rusted out pump casing

[jallison86]

I'm replacing my Pentair WhisperFlo pump with a new variable-speed pump. The reason for this replacement is that the old pump looks like this:

That pump was here when we moved into the house in February, 2016, so it's at least 8+ years old. It's been rusty for a while, so I knew the replacement time was coming, but I can't believe how bad it is. Was I missing something these past years that would have prevented, or at least slowed, this rusting process? The pump is fully exposed to the elements. I'm in Southern California, so it's not an overly damp environment, fwiw. Any tips appreciated!

- Jeff

 

[ajw22]

I do not see a bonding wire connected to the pump?

Is your pool equipment properly bonded to the pool?

Is the pump connected to a GFCI CB as required by the NEC?

Stray electrical currents can accelerate corrosion.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I’d like to see a wider shot of the equipment pad … are you using pucks to chlorinate your pool? Are you storing chemicals anywhere near the equipment?

 

[setsailsoon]

Wow, that's pretty bad! Looks to me the electric case is way worse than the rest. Maybe something corrosive was dripping on it? Would be great to see the photo(s) Matt asked you for.

Chris

 

[Poolbreh]

Definitely chemical damage, I can’t believe this thing is still running, or was.

 

[jallison86]

Responding to some of the questions...

I do not see a bonding wire connected to the pump?

The old pump is disconnected and the new one is not installed yet.

Is your pool equipment properly bonded to the pool?

No, apparently not. There was no bonding connection on the old pump, just the conduit connections.

Is the pump connected to a GFCI CB as required by the NEC?

Nope. The feed is straight back to the panel.

I’d like to see a wider shot of the equipment pad … are you using pucks to chlorinate your pool? Are you storing chemicals anywhere near the equipment?

No pucks used for chlorination, just the SWG. Chemicals are ~20 feet away in Rubbermaid storage bins.

Wow, that's pretty bad! Looks to me the electric case is way worse than the rest. Maybe something corrosive was dripping on it? Would be great to see the photo(s) Matt asked you for.

Pretty sure nothing's been dripping on it. It's just out in the open. Here's the requested wider shot. This is WIP; the new pump is sitting there but not wired or plumbed in yet. The other pump in the picture drives the waterfall returns.




Appreciate the feedback!

- Jeff

 

[JamesW]

Probably a slow drip hitting the motor keeping it wet.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Get everything bonded and up to code. Bonding is important to prevent electrical shocks.

Get the chemicals away from the equipment. Acid vapors are heavier than air and depending on the breeze direction can easily travel. Make sure acids are never stored with chlorine sources.

Clear the pad of all debris and make sure the pump is sitting on clean concrete.