Swimming pool pump / contactor fault?

[jay_t]

We have an outdoor pool at the school where i work and i've started preparing it for May, when it opens.

Stuck the pump on Tuesday morning to begin circulating the water, came in yesterday and pump wasn't running. Breakers all ok so I assume the contactor was the cause (i suspect some leaves had blocked the outlets possibly causing the pump to get too hot maybe tripping the contactor??). anyway, most of the leaves are now gone pump was back on and fine all day yesterday but again, was off this morning. reset the contactor and all is running well again. I don't think there are enough leaves left in the pool to cause a blockage.

Any ideas?? I don't deal with contactors and pumps much so i'm scratching my head a bit!!

 

[septiclecky]

Could be some thing else which might be jamming the pump impeller old plastic shopping bag ?

 

[Evans Electric]

Try your ammeter ,see if the actual current is close to or exceeding the overload settings . sounds like something is making the motor struggle , jaming the impeller, as above , leaves, plastic bag, dead rat. Could be the motor itself, bearings binding !!

Deke

 

[green-hornet]

Any devise with moving parts that are left inactive for prolonged periods could become stiff and not work to their best. This includes electrical switches and contactors.

 

[Andy™]

Is the thermal cutout set at correct rating?

 

[bryn]

is this 240 or 3ph have you checked the resistance of the pump windings, try disconnecting the pump and check contactor in case one phase tracking or welded in on the contactor.

 

[batty]

Is the thermal cutout set at correct rating?

I would think you are barking up the wrong tree here, if pump was fine last year it is more likely to be bearings or a blockage unless the phantom thermal cutout alterer has been about.

Batty

 

[septiclecky]

Have you checked the filters arn't blocked either

 

[Evans Electric]

Good one from Bryn, disc. pump see if contactor stays in . Check windings on the flex while its off.

Deke

 

[Andy™]

I would think you are barking up the wrong tree here, if pump was fine last year it is more likely to be bearings or a blockage unless the phantom thermal cutout alterer has been about.Batty

your right, i thought it was a new contactor for some reason

 

[batty]

your right, i thought it was a new contactor for some reason

No probs.

batty

 

[elvis]

Top tip, get motor out and run it. Stick blade end of screwdriver on solid part of motor casing and stick the handle in yer ear.

Nice whirr... bearings fine.

Dodgy grinding noise... bearings Goosed

Might seem a bit simple but you can hear when bearings are starting to go. As a couple of the boys have said, I would be checking the IR on the windings mesel.

I used to get a lot of problems with sump pumps in elevator shafts and to be honest any electrical appliance that spends most of it's life under water is gonna give you problems. More often than not when they failed they ended up at the scrappy.

Open it up (not as difficult as you think), clean the windings then give them a spray with WD, stick a bit of oil in it etc.

If a seal has gone you need to replace the seal and if you have dampness in the windings you can stick it in an oven (door half open, as low a setting as you can get) and leave it overnifght to dry the windings out.

Diagnosis and repair time vrs cost of replacement...

 

[green-hornet]

Elvis, we had to do that when we were in training.

Our instructor always told us to listen, he said you can hear the fault as much as smell it or feel it.

I still do this when I have to fault find, and still amazes me when I find a fault based on observasion or smell!

 

[elvis]

Stop, look and listen baby, that's my philosophee... to quote an amusing ditty

 

[Evans Electric]

Good point from the King , listen down yer screwdriver, yes I was taught that also.

You can hear a dry bearing or one that is breaking up.

Deke

 

[batty]

Good point from the King , listen down yer screwdriver, yes I was taught that also. You can hear a dry bearing or one that is breaking up.

Deke

Make sure its the right way round though thats my tip of the day.

Batty

 

[jay_t]

Thanks for all the tips guys, checked the pump after it had been running for a while and it was hot enough to cook an egg on..... spoke to the local pool guy and it's cheaper for me to get a new pump than to sod around for hours investigating so that's the way i'm gonna go

 

[elvis]

Know where you're coming from, we live in a disposable world... it's a shame really

 

[Evans Electric]

Elvis I'm still wondering, I seem to recognise the guy in your avatar but who is the bloke in front !!! :|

 

[elvis]

Elvis I'm still wondering, I seem to recognise the guy in your avatar but who is the bloke in front !!! :|

Think I answered this before

That'll be that damn Colonel Parker behind me... if it hadn't been for all those stupid movies he had me makin in the 60's I woulda never disappeared! As it stands I raggle walls in my white, sequined boiler suit and blue suede steelies in Glesga!! Got a big black, quiff shaped hard hat as well B-)

As I said before... please note the stetson Blushing