URGENT HELP POOL PUMP FAILURE

[qsmith3741]

thanks I’m advance for reading. I’m battling a really bad algae infestation after hurricane Laura. Back story: a few weeks ago when I opened the pool, it hummed and hummed. Four tries later it cranked up and ran fine. Oh well. Yesterday it had been off for about 12 hours. I turned it on, let it run into the night. Woke up and noticed nothing was running...my heart dropped. The pump won’t turn on now. I guess it burned out last night. I’ll attach pictures. I opened it up to replace capacitor or thinking it had finally died on me to find the burnt wire. The local pool store is trying to sell me the “ you need a new motor sandwich” and charge me an arm and a leg for a new motor. Do I need a motor or can I just replace capacitor and wiring? Where will I find this thick power cord? If I do need a new motor, is there any recommendations on cheap, trustworthy ones? I’ve got my sons first bday coming up and a baby shower for my daughter in June. So I’m kinda stressing it. Help...please.

 

[qsmith3741]

thanks I’m advance for reading. I’m battling a really bad algae infestation after hurricane Laura. Back story: a few weeks ago when I opened the pool, it hummed and hummed. Four tries later it cranked up and ran fine. Oh well. Yesterday it had been off for about 12 hours. I turned it on, let it run into the night. Woke up and noticed nothing was running...my heart dropped. The pump won’t turn on now. I guess it burned out last night. I’ll attach pictures. I opened it up to replace capacitor or thinking it had finally died on me to find the burnt wire. The local pool store is trying to sell me the “ you need a new motor sandwich” and charge me an arm and a leg for a new motor. Do I need a motor or can I just replace capacitor and wiring? Where will I find this thick power cord? If I do need a new motor, is there any recommendations on cheap, trustworthy ones? I’ve got my sons first bday coming up and a baby shower for my daughter in June. So I’m kinda stressing it. Help...please.

I found this motor on Amazon. anyone got any experience with it? Is this a job I can do myself? Active duty military, full time student, father. I’m 21 and new to the realm of owning a pool so please forgive my ignorance.

 

[ajw22]

Let's see if @JamesW thinks your motor is repairable.

 

[cowboycasey]

Welcome to TFP

it looks like the fried wire is coming from your power box.. Did the breaker go off or fry? Where does that wire go to and could we get a picture of that..

 

[qsmith3741]

Let's see if @JamesW thinks your motor is repairable.

So the motor is definitely shot and needs replaced? I definitely don’t know how to tinker with a motor.

 

[qsmith3741]

Welcome to TFP

it looks like the fried wire is coming from your power box.. Did the breaker go off or fry? Where does that wire go to and could we get a picture of that..

Nothing in the breaker panel is tripped or blown.

 

[qsmith3741]

Welcome to TFP

it looks like the fried wire is coming from your power box.. Did the breaker go off or fry? Where does that wire go to and could we get a picture of that..

The picture that I am trying to upload is “too large”. It’s basically all the wires in one heavy duty sleeve that connects to a box with my function (on/off) switch. That box leads into the ground. There is no visible damage to that.

 

[JamesW]

Your motor is only about 3 years old.

There's a lot of corrosion of the metal, which points to exposure to acid or chlorine fumes.

Something shorted out, but it's not obvious exactly what shorted out.

You might be able to clean it up and get it working again, but you won't know until you clean everything up.

You can replace the motor if you want.

 

[qsmith3741]

My local pool store is the only one around that will “service” me. I asked them for advice and sent them pictures. I got this in reply “ I’m not an electrician but looks like you motor over heated”.

 

[JamesW]

I think that it was a bad wire connection.

Who did the wiring?

 

[JamesW]

Do you store acid or chlorine near the pump?

 

[JamesW]

If you need a new motor, I would downsize the motor and impeller unless you need a lot of flow for some reason.

Century (A.O. Smith) 0.75 HP Up Rate Motor, Round Flange 56J Frame, Single Speed - Model UST1072 - INYOPools.com

Century 3/4 HP Round Flange 56J Up Rate Motor - UST1072

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Pureline Hayward Super Pump Saltwater Seal Kit - GOKIT3SALT - INYOPools.com

Tune Up Kit Hayward Super Pump

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Impeller part number SPX2605C.

 

[qsmith3741]

Do you store acid or chlorine near the pump?

I do not.

 

[JamesW]

In this picture, the copper is highly oxidized, which only happens under extreme conditions.

So, the motor was exposed to something like acid or chlorine at some point.

In any case, try cleaning up the wiring and see if the pump will work.

 

[qsmith3741]

In this picture, the copper is highly oxidized, which only happens under extreme conditions.

So, the motor was exposed to something like acid or chlorine at some point.

In any case, try cleaning up the wiring and see if the pump will work.

The one wire is completely severed. Surely it’s not suppose to be like this correct? I have no idea what I’m doing but I don’t know where to find the wires I need for this

 

[qsmith3741]

I think that it was a bad wire connection.

Who did the wiring?

I’m an unsure. I bought the house last year and everything was already set up.

I know it’s a 33k gallon
Hayward sand filter
Chlorine

 

[JamesW]

The wiring was not professionally done.

I would recommend that you have an electrician check the wiring and redo it as needed.

I would just replace the motor with a smaller motor and impeller.

The motor is way too big unless there is something you need high flow for.

 

[qsmith3741]

The wiring was not professionally done.

I would recommend that you have an electrician check the wiring and redo it as needed.

I would just replace the motor with a smaller motor and impeller.

The motor is way too big unless there is something you need high flow for.

If I replace the motor with one smaller, will I need an entirely new pump housing? Also, I can’t find that white plastic piece. The L1/L2 piece.

 

[wireform]

You need to extra careful as you have no understanding to electrical. Water and electricity are far too dangerous here and I wouldn't chance anything for the few dollars saved. First see if the shaft motor isn't seized. If it is call it finished unless you are a DIYer. You need to find the circuit breaker and see if it's tripped and is it GFCI protected.

 

[JamesW]

If I replace the motor with one smaller, will I need an entirely new pump housing?

No, just a smaller impeller.

Also, I can’t find that white plastic piece. The L1/L2 piece.

How To Replace the Terminal Board on an AO Smith Motor - INYOPools.com

This guide shows you how to replace a damaged Terminal Board on an typical A.O. Smith Motor.

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A.O. Smith Terminal Board - 626536-001 - INYOPools.com

626536-001 - TERMINAL BOARD - 626536-001

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