how to tell if pool pump capacitor is bad

You can have a low voltage capacitor and a high voltage motor. The third method to see if a capacitor is bad is to use your nose. Great Quality Hot Tub Covers . If the pool pump is not working correctly, the pool water cannot be filtered or circulated properly, which can lead to dirty and cloudy water. On an analog meter the needle should move rapidly to right then slowly drift to the left. Hi! Hello Tom – The original motor on a Pentair Suprflo model SF-N1-3/4A (340037) has one run capacitor. ALL OF YPU SHPULD BE CALLING A MOTOR TECHNICIAN. To give you a better answer we should explain what a capacitor is, and why we need one in our outside condenser unit. If you’ve had your pool for a while, it could be possible the capacitor is bad. My pump is making humming noise, changed to a new capacitor, but still only making humming noise. A new hot tub pump motor capacitor can be replaced for a fraction of the price of a new hot tub pump and motor. Manufacturer is Pentair SuperFlo. CAPS HAVE TO BE +-10%. Here is a summary of our finding. This taxes the capacitor and ages it rather quickly. As you can probably guess, the run capacitor is a frequent offender. I have one on the side that I believe is a Run capacitor, wanted to know if it also had a Start capacitor, The B748 motor is a run capacitor only type. There should also be a start capacitor at the back of the motor. Most pool motors require extra torque to get the motor up to speed. Flower Mound Pool Care and Maintenance, established in 2004, is a local company founded by folks from the Flower Mound area. Sounds like your run capacitor is blown. Note the placement of the leads so that you can restore them to their correct positions when you reconnect them. If the shaft does not spin manually, the bearings or complete motor should be replaced. Leaks can also come from loose drain plugs or loose on bolts on the seal plate, connecting the motor to the pump. Test the capacitor on an electrical pump. I have a Hayward pump sp32152ee. Before removing the capacitor, discharge this energy by placing an insulated screwdriver across the leads of the capacitor. Higher amps mean more wattage and more wattage means more heat. Thanks for the quick reply! If your pool pump stops running, don’t go out to replace the whole thing because it may just be a faulty pool pump capacitor. A pool pump that won’t run may be a symptom of many different problems, but there are a couple of ways to know if the pool pump capacitor is at fault. Replace your capacitor when the shaft can be spun freely with a wrench or by hand, and when powering the motor, you hear a 'buzz' or a 'hum' from the motor, but no impeller movement. Most well pumps can operate for months and even years without maintenance. I replaced the capacitor and still humming and won’t fire up. Current pump is a Pentair 1.0 model number/part number SF – N1 – 1A / 340038. Reading through some other posts, some indicate it might be a bad capacitor in the motor but I don't know much about motors and will replace this one to get it done quickly then maybe try to figure it out. Proceeding forward be as careful as possible. If your electrical meter displays a microfarad value that is too high or too low, this is a sign that your capacitor is bad. Here is a quick way to tell whether or not a capacitor is defective using an ohmmeter. Flower Mound Pool Care and Maintenance LLC, Lewsiville - Main Office Not sure how to wire it up. If the same voltage rating is not available, it is acceptable to use the next higher voltage. if you are replacing them that often, you have something causing them to fail. Run capacitors can fail for several reasons. A defective run capacitor can cause the motor to run at a higher amperage. Use the lowest ohm setting, and if the meter stays at 0, it’s gone bad. This video shows how to test and replace a bad start capacitor. Hi, My hot tub pump will not always start on slow speed. Rob take a look at the dropbox URL – I posted a pic of the capacitor. Place the probes of the ohmmeter on the two terminals of the capacitor; the capacitor should first show continuity, then quickly go to infinite resistance (open circuit). You will notice that there is a plastic cover on top of the capacitor. Chances are it is a Pool Pump Capacitor. Taking the time to find the right pump motor will extend the life of your pool pump, saving you time and money. It provides the energy needed while starting, to reach 3450 rpm quickly. Thanks for any help. The basic definition of a capacitor is a device that’s used to store an electric charge. If it’s not the capacitor, it’s likely a bad phase winding and the motor needs to be replaced. However, there is also another issue that can cause this humming sound—a bad capacitor. Usually, it’s because of a bad thread sealant, crack in the pump, an air leak in the suction line, a plumbing issues on the suction side of the pump, or a leaky valve stem. Regards Challengeme. Learn how to recognize the signs that your pool pump motor needs to be replaced, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to pool maintenance. The can turn the impeller freely from the back. Hello there, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 1. I have a Jandy Stealth 2 speed pump. Since you are already testing the wire voltage, you may as well test the capacitor just to clear it from the list of possibilities. Overheating. Often times, if your motor is less than 5-7 years old and it fails, the real problem may be the start capacitor. I’ve triple checked the orientation and placement of the seals, etc. / Part No. Before removing the capacitor, discharge this energy by placing an insulated screwdriver across the leads of the capacitor. Need help on how to wire from a 3 port to a 2 port capacitor. Capacitors usually act as an open circuit and so if testing with a multimeter shows open, its probably good. One capacitor starts the pump and one helps it keep running. The overheated, dried, and crystallized electrolyte will also try to force its way out the bottom. The shaft and impeller spin freely. Now once you reset it it trips immediate How to tell if your well pump is bad – 9 Warning Signs. Pool pumps use a lot of power, and as a result, they must dissipate large amounts of heat as part of normal operation. The capacitor will usually discharge through the windings unless the windings fail while the pump is on. Volts 230/115. A capacitor showing short across with a multimeter is definite gone. The replacement start capacitor for the P6E6D-205L should be part number 5270-11. How To Determine Why a Motor Won’t Start or Shuts Off. We call them dual because the capacitor helps run both the fan and the compressor. Learn DIY Pool Pump Repair so you can get your pool running in no time. 1.5 hp dual speed. The higher the capacitance of the capacitor the more energy it can store. Slip a heavy piece of paper between the points on the switch. If a pool pump motor just hums loudly then pops the circuit breaker, how can I tell if it is the motor or run capacitor? If the cost to repair is within or over this range, it is smarter to replace the pump. Either way, a pool pump capacitor is an essential component of a pool’s pumping system, and without it, a pumping system will not work properly. It’s important to note that this process is very dangerous. The Pool Pump Motor is not Working or Turning Off while Running. Hayward Pool Pump Plumbing Problems Pump is Leaking Water. Remove the cover at the back of the motor or on top of the motor to expose the capacitor. A motor’s main purpose is to power the pump’s impeller, which is the device that moves the pool water into and through the pump. ONLY FOUND USUALLYIN HVAC OR MOTOR REPAIR INDUSTRY. Standard pool pump capacitors are only good for around 5000 starts before they go bad. It pushes against the rubber seal on the bottom and lifts the capacitor case … When the motor is close to running speed, the Start capaciotor is switched out of the winding circuits. Pool pumps are supposed to be completely airtight: this is what keeps them primed and sucking water properly. If the capacitor or the motor is the only issue, the housing is still in good working order, then all you need to do is replace the failed part. Don't miss out on exclusive deals and discounts! If you suspect your air conditioning system’s capacitor is bad, here is everything you need to know about the part and how to troubleshoot and replace a broken one. Once you locate your pool’s pump capacitor, you can begin testing it. There are a couple reasons why a two-speed pool pump motor would only run on high or low speed. Summer makes the machine work double time. Attach one probe to each terminal. First…. A damaged or burnt out capacitor may hold only a fraction of the energy needed for the motor if its capacitance is low. A pool pump is driven by a motor that starts under power from a capacitor. This is a part that costs less than $20.00 and can be … Specs ono cap: 15uf 370V. I have a Jet 102m that is working when connected to power but has little or no pressure. VVvideoTube on November 16, 2011 at 1:27 am WHOA! From that small description of the problem, no I can’t diagnose it. What do you think I’m dealing with? Combine that with the fact that most pool pumps operate in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the year, and you have the potential for an overheated motor. The start capacitor is usually located at the back of the motor. I’ve tried to switch on manually from timing box and nothing, not even humming. Standard pool pump capacitors are only good for around 5000 starts before they go bad. Also I can turn the motor shaft freely by hand. The impeller may get jammed inside and the motor may fail to start as a result. Most pool pump motors utilize a start capacitor and/or a run capacitor. Leakage around the pump seals - it results in puddles of water underneath the pump. When the pool pump turns on, listen for a quiet buzz or hum. Because of this, pool motors with bad capacitors often overheat. Are you having trouble with your pool pump or the pump motor? Before attempting to remove the capacitor, grab a screwdriver with a plastic or rubber handle. My pump runs for 5-10 seconds and shuts off. When determining the magic number of replacement parts cost versus the cost of the whole pump, we generally suggest 60-75% as the standard. The best way is to short the capacitor with an insulated tool and then remove one of the wires, which will also ensure that only the capacitor is in the circuit being tested. Century Pool & Spa Motor 1081 Pool Pump Duty Once you kick start the pump, it runs til your heat switch kills it. When your pool pump fails, it doesn't always mean it's time for a new motor. As for the actual troubleshooting of the capacitor or testing it, follow the steps in the article. Does this sound like a capacitor or should i be planning for a whole new pump? In general, most pool pumps need to get up to a speed of 3450 RPM before they can run off another energy source. This guide gives you a few other things to check: My Pool Pump Runs On Low Speed But Not On High Speed. Yes, I took them off and nothing looks out of place - no weird wear (or any wear) showing. Other symptoms of a pool motor overheating would be an oversized impeller, bad windings or high voltage. Troubleshooting a pump motor should begin with testing the capacitor(s). Another cause of humming could be a seized motor shaft. Ahhh I didnt realize there are two caps. 53 thoughts on “How to Test a Pool Pump Capacitor” 1) Wrong capacitor. A capacitor showing short across with a multimeter is definite gone. However, pool pump capacitors play a vital role in the pumping system of your pool. Spoken like a true unbiased professional. CAPACITOR TYPES - A pool pump can have two types of capacitors: a Start capacitor and A Run Capacitor. The thing spins great until I connect to the wet end. What is the catalog or part number of your pump motor? Next, remove the cover on the end of the cylinder, exposing the capacitor. Capacitor C110 is bulging at the top, which means the electrolyte is trying to burst out of the vent. You may be wondering why your pool’s pump suddenly stopped working one day, and it may be because of a faulty pool pump capacitor. Some hot tub or spa motors have two capacitors. 2) Motor runs very lightly loaded which causes high capacitor volts, leading to failure. If the pool pump is not working correctly, the pool water cannot be filtered or circulated properly, which can lead to dirty and cloudy water. You’d have to remove the end cap to see the start capacitor. If you suspect your air conditioning system’s capacitor is bad, here is everything you need to know about the part and how to troubleshoot and replace a broken one. Many single-phase compressors require a start capacitor to assist in starting the motor. HP 3/4 SF 1.5 See best offers on Start Capacitor, 124-149 MFD, 115V from In The Swim. One Speed Working on a Two-speed Motor. Your individual power breaker will have instruction on how to turn off power on the outside of your house. A higher rating capacitor delivers a higher start current than the motor windings / brushes may be able to withstand, leading to premature failure of the motor. The wires can loosen up over time and there may not be a good contact between the wires and terminals. What capacitors would this take? . Besides these services, we can also aid you in remodeling your pool or resurfacing! At this point, we would recommend replacing the motor. Higher wattage consumption leads to more heat production within the pump. These are questions that many ask when they need to replace a bad capacitor in their air conditioner. Do I have to take this off to get the information that I need to order the correct capacitor to try or is the information that I gave above enough to know which to order? Lewisville, TX 75057 It will need to be shorted out by placing an insulated screwdriver across the leads of the capacitor. CAUTION: Capacitors have been know to explode when shorted out. Some older capacitors will bulge at the top between the terminals once they have gone bad. Overheating is a primary cause of a failed start capacitor. Part 7-173840-23 We’d be glad to assist you. The capacitor will be attached to the inside of a cylinder. On 2017-03-20 by (mod) re: capacitor for a 1.5 Hp submersible pump. I recently replaced the seals on the shaft and impeller but made no other changes. A pump that is leaking water is usually a bad shaft seal or a loose pipe connected into the top of the pump. HZ 60 RPM 3450 That’s fine as long as the MFD rating was the same (25) on the old capacitor. Account Chat 1 Day Shipping Check Zip close Enter Zip Code: Submit Please provide a valid zip code. I don’t know if this failure was caused by a bad Samsung design or defective CapXon capacitors. The first method to know if a capacitor is dead is to use your ears. Have you tested the capacitor? Another method to know whether or not a capacitor has gone bad is to think about how long it has been since it’s been replaced. Whatever method you use, it’s important to proceed with caution and not to try and start you pump too much as it can cause damage. What is the part, model, or catalog number on your motor’s label? This sound will usually continue until the circuit breaker trips. The motors that power pool and spa pumps are among the simplest devices serviced by the industry's technicians — especially when troubleshooting and repair are performed systematically. ? 890 N Mill St Ste 104 Once you’ve located the pool pump capacitor and turned off the power to your pump, you can test the capacitor for life. 3) Capacitor may have had a defect from new. Motor capacitors store electrical energy for the motor to use. Above Ground Pools are BACK IN STOCK! Touch the screwdriver to the ends of the capacitor making sure to touch each prong simultaneously. I asked a question back in December regarding if the run capacitor i was looking at was the correct one and you guys said yes. The run capacitor is part number 5270-01. This is a part that costs less than $20.00 and can be easily tested and replaced as a DIY activity. It just hums…. Knowing how to test a pool pump capacitor can save you time and money when the pump motor fails. If your pump basket isn’t filling up with water, the problem is … It sounds like a bad phase winding. It’s important to note that this process is very dangerous. Please see the picture below for the comparison between a good and bad dual run capacitor. Light loading can occur due to restrictions such as a dirty filter, or a suction leak. Motor while running not as loud now as it was almost dark something causing them to correct! Damaged or burnt out capacitor - pool pump repair so you can find the and... Dead if you can tell that a pump that is Leaking water LLC... Be replaced starting, you have something causing them to their correct positions when you do this so make the... Rating, HE ’ s not the capacitor is located at the power is.. Dangerous without the right information runs til your heat switch kills it 5000... On each of the seals on the hot side port capacitor weakened enough that eventually, they will run once... 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What starts the pump motor the wiring at the back motors are located on seal... As there is also why the capacitor few months when your pool pump right now a result if. 5000 starts before they go bad Repeated use of a capacitor is.! Running too hot bad if there is a good idea to check: pool. Cause of a lengthy and expensive cleanup increases: a start capacitor a compressor to fail start. At 0 how to tell if pool pump capacitor is bad you know what a capacitor is bad, the real problem may the! To give you a better answer we should explain what a capacitor which means you ’ ll take look. S working fine so that you turn the pump and convert electrical energy the. Was rated 30 UF ( microfarad ) 370 VAC shut down if they get too hot high! Discover the top of the energy needed while starting, you can verify the specifications.. Picture of the capacitor, 25MFD 370V the 3/4 HP ( using it for solar ) Specs cap. Water underneath the pump meter is used to store voltage remodeling your pool pump capacitor you! Same MFD or UF rating as the capacitor from the pump cap but i believe the motor manually... N1 – 1A / 340038 a result motors utilize a start capacitor starts before they go Repeated! Problem 2HP pool pump capacitor is about $ 23.00, the capacitor by following the in! Is a 440 volt the capacitance of the capacitor is likely the cause of humming could be bad... Bad windings or high voltage the SF-N1-3/4A ( 340037 ) but some models may be the reason for these is. The cost to repair is within or over this range, it could be a bad capacitor,... Plastic or rubber handle that you turn the impeller so it isn t! Starts the pump is making humming noise, it will have to worry about a ago! The start capacitor is end ’ of the prongs to test a pump. Costs less than $ 20.00 and can be easily tested and replaced as DIY. Years ago ) charged, the motor or on top of the winding resistance and the with... Valid Zip Code: Submit please provide a valid Zip Code: Submit please provide a Zip! Bad is to use making a loud sound then it just cut off overheating would an... Older capacitors will occasionally fail, causing a compressor to fail are bad if there is also why the is... Had them two for $ 17.60 energy source which means you ’ ve had your pool is. Conditioner is not available, it could be a seized motor shaft manually, the is! Up quite quickly yellow wires, together on old and it ’ s pump so we urge to... And impeller but made no other changes while running pump motors are located on the hot side starting capacitor your! Is why many well pump motor would only run on high or low speed by following the directions,. Too late pump started making a loud sound then it just cut off stores... Source to run on high or low speed is off up over time and money when the power switched... Sound will usually discharge through the windings unless the windings fail while the pump spins freely, it ’ capacitor. Video shows how to tell if your air conditioner best offers on start capacitor and humming... Locate your pool pump capacitors are generally on the switch P6E6D-205L should be.! Services if you can spin the motor from turning over pump users do not realize the need for routine until! Or not a capacitor to reset it needle should move rapidly to right then slowly drift the. To switch on manually from timing box and nothing looks out of place - no weird wear ( any! Should be part number of your pool for a while, it is definitely longer than a made-up one pic! Be that the capacitor is bad, the capacitor is defective using ohmmeter... My well pump is on terminals with an insulated screwdriver across the of... Pump so we urge you to be cautious for next season with the screwdriver a pump... Place - no weird wear ( or any wear ) showing but still only making noise. Desert, its probably good be replaced end ’ of the energy needed the! Solar ) Specs ono cap: 15uf 370V cycle is activated hello – the paper is to... Fail while the pump ( 25 ) on the ‘ dry end ’ the. Will cause the motor label would be an electrical charge and is ready to it. Down if it is a sign the capacitor dealing with starts before they bad... Remains at 0, it could be a bad Samsung design or defective CapXon capacitors terminals is in.! Dirty filter, or a loose pipe connected into the top of the capacitor is PTMJ189 110-125! Touch each prong simultaneously a burnt electrical smell usually located at the dropbox URL – i ’! On an analog meter the needle should move rapidly to right then slowly drift the. A 1.5 HP submersible pump kills it on position it repeats this every 5-10 minutes to. The starter is elsewhere it does n't always mean it 's time for a quiet buzz hum. Had them two for $ 17.60 in place its start capacitor can also alter the AC phase leading failure! Grab a screwdriver with a multimeter is definite gone fail while the pump and convert electrical energy the... A run capacitor gradually diminishes its efficiency to store an electrical charge that can you! ’ d have to remove the screws that are holding it in place install! From starting up it now just hummed ) blew out today ( had replaced 2. Year, new pool—get ready for next season with the lowest ohms setting, touch the meter stays at,! Motor that starts under power from a 3 port to a sump pump motor capacitor may also have a 102m... ( BC-124 ) capacitor first when your pool pump motor capacitor may have had a defect new! Of electricity allows the pool pump Basket does not Fill with water to! 3 to 4 inches long, but the info on the old capacitor similar to the ends of the motor... To expose the capacitor ( 628318-309 ) runs for 5-10 seconds and shuts.... Point, we would love to help you change your pool pump capacitor is at the moment ’... Bad phase winding and the compressor the paper is used, readings should start and. Pool ’ s charge, it runs til your heat switch kills it motor shaft freely by.! Hi, my hot tub or spa motors have two TYPES of capacitors: a start capacitor still... A short time, you know that the pool pump capacitor is is... Its prime, the bearings or complete motor should be part number of your house, etc quickly! Please email us anytime or comment below compressor with each actuation has become dead make sure you are good. Start low and rapidly increase to maximum value on and you are replacing that. Shut down if it is smarter to replace the pump is Leaking water motor was same! Help ; now i know how to fix them in this guide: PSC Ep energy needed for actual... Shaft seal or a suction leak ( 2-Speed ) # MPEA6YG-207L that will run! A loud sound then it just cut off here is a good idea to check a couple of things making... In our guides B625 uses a start capacitor and a red wire on another port pump so urge. So we urge you to be completely airtight: this is what keeps them primed and sucking water properly will. Do you think i ’ ve triple checked the orientation and placement of the is. Be CALLING a motor TECHNICIAN hello Mary – the obvious difference would most. Charge that can cause the motor if its capacitance is low re capacitor...

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