Pool pump shutting off at random
 

Any ideas guys? My pool pump kicked off about 130 today when the timer isn't set to go off until 4. I let it sit for a few hours and it kicks back on and ran for about an hour and then shut off again. Started again after a cool off.

Pump is a Hayward Super II, motor is about a year old. I checked and there is nothing stuck in the impeller, baskets are clear, filter pressure is about 15psi, and it's flowing strong when it's running. I don't see anything that would be causing it to over heat?


Timer is a basic intermatic mechanical timer.


Any ideas what could be causing this?

Sounds like thermal protection circuit tripping. Maybe bad cap(s). Check to make sure air vents are not blocked/clogged too.

Yep. Start here... Would start out with the vent openings.

I'll check the vents but they looked clear.

Remembered the motor is still under warranty, so I reached out to the manufacturer also.

just backwash, it'll be alright.

Backwashed and rebuilt the DE filter last weekend.

Do you have a current clamp type electrical tester? Checking the amp draw is a good way to see if the motor is working too hard.

When the pump is running does the flow seem normal? You could have something binding the impeller shaft causing additional load on the pump motor.

Flow seems normal. It's been running for about 2 hours so far this morning.
Wondering if it is thermal protection. It's 96 now, as opposed to 111 when it shutoff yesterday.

It kicked off about 1130. I let it rest for a while and it came back on. I backwashed it, vacuumed and backwashed again and it was running strong still. Confirmed no obstructions and excellent flow. It shut off again about 30 mins after I was done vacuuming.

Really thinking it's an issue with the motor. I'll call the manufacturer tomorrow, hopefully they get a new one pretty quick, because at 110 degrees, I'm have a really green pool in just a few days.

They are air cooled pumps. At 110 degrees can you shade and add extra ventilation (fan) around the pump to see of that helps?

I believe those are switchable between 110 ans 220.........

It may run cooler at 220 power.

Did you break away the wet end from the motor to check? You had to have.

Kids used to shoot those air soft pellets into the pool and they would get by the basket and lodge in the impeller vanes. Same symptoms.

Just curious if you normally run it during the day, every day? Most folks here run their pumps at night (8-10 hours for the "average" size pool/pump).
That way the motor isn't baking in the sun while running, and it saves you money (off-peak hours).

Only other things that come to mind besides blocked air vents and/or bad running capacitor would be bad shaft seal and/or bearings, suction or pressure side restrictions, or any previous "thermal events" that could have melted the coating on the motor windings causing a short. If it's the latter, it will only get worse until it finally won't even turn on at all. That typically happens when the pump is ran dry, or without sufficient water flow (and it only take one occurrence to start the downward spiral). Is the trap filter reservoir completely full and free of air bubbles when running?

Regarding the cooling vents, some pumps have little "ducts" inside the motor cover than can get clogged. So, just clearing debris away from the openings may not completely "unclog" the airway.

Also, if it's not running optimally or long enough each day now (and it could be a few days to get it repaired/replaced) you may want to shock the pool ASAP.

I've always had it run during the day, by I'll flip it to run at night just to see if that helps the pump.



Vents are clear and I didn't have to clean them so I'm not thinking there was any obstruction there.

Doesn't show any signs of leaking around the shaft seal or anything of that nature. Hoping the motor manufacturer comes through with parts or a replacement.

Already shocked the piss out of it too, because I doubt this gets resolved until Wednesday at the earliest

Good deal. And yeah, run that SOB at night! I usually run it from 11pm to 7am. In addition to running a bit cooler, it could reduce your electricity bill a bit, depending on APS vs. SRP and/or what rate plan you are on.
If you do keep it running during the day, you might fab up a shade-sail or similar.

Shade sail is on my to do list anyways, just to keep the UV off the rest of my equipment.

I don't think it will make a difference on the rate plan we are on, but if the pump runs better, worth it.

Looks like it ran its whole time last night, so must have just been the sun. Not sure why it can't cope now if it survived all summer.

Bypass the timer to see if it is the culprit?

Motor company seems to think it's worthy of replacing. They'll send me a new motor for $25 in shipping. im not going to argue with that. Going to leave t running overnight and put a sun shade over the pool equipment to help with heat too.