Need pool pump help - Any pool guys here?

I have a Pentair Challenger 2.0 hp pool pump that is about 4 years old. Today, it comes on and makes a humming noise, and then trips the circuit breaker. Took it apart, and everything moves freely. Nothing stuck. Everything seems to look ok. Almost seems like it doesn't have enough power to get started.

There is a capacitor on top. Could it be that that is bad?

Any help appreciated,

Bret

 

I would also try the capacitor first. Secondly check your type of breaker. If its a dual breaker, one side might be open not giving enough juice.

 

Thanks guys. I am going to start with the capacitor. $50 as opposed to $500.00. I think that is what it is (hoping with fingers crossed). I am going to give Perrys Pool Pumps a try this morning. They sell new stuff as well as rebuild stuff. Hopefully they can bench test this capacitor and tell me if its bad.

Couple questions. What is the life expectany of a pool pump? Does 4 years seem premature? Also, if it is the pump, and needs to be replaced, is this very difficult to do?

Bret

 

It was the capacitor. Got a used one for $17.00. Apparently this is a pretty good pump that they don't make anymore, so I will probably just get it rebuilt when it takes the big shit.

There was a guy next to me that drove up from Tucson whos pump was only a year old and was doing the same thing. I told him I bet it was the capacitor, and sure enough it was. His pump was still under warranty, so they replaced it for free. He said if he knew that was all it was he would have just bought one in Tucson and saved all the money he spent on gas.

It would be very easy for an unscrupulous repairman to take advantage of people and tell them they need a new pump. Or, some people assume they need a new pump and replace it. I am glad that was all it was. Easy fix!

Thanks for the help guys!

Bret

 

I'm an appliance repair guy. I know lots of other appliance repair guys. None of us rip people off and noone is getting rich in this business. I really wish people would skip the whole "are you ripping me off?" routine. Getting a second opinion is a really simple thing to do!

OP: Not saying that you would have taken that attitude with a repair person at your house, but a lot of people do. I opened this thread because I was hoping to help someone out. What I do at work often involves motors, capacitors, pumps, etc. Some of that might have transferred over to your problem. I am glad you got it fixed cheaply and were able to do it yourself! Always a good feeling.

Sorry to vent in your thread, but I hope someone reads this and skips the attitude next time they have to hire someone to handle a repair that's beyond their abilities or time constraints. I don't mind the work I do, but people's opinion of me is eventually going to drive me out of it!

 

joes, maybe not where you are, but down here the vast majority are looking to rip people off, ask for checks to be made out in their name instead of the company, etc.

I have gotten to the point that I do my own repair work not because I can (most times it takes me weeks to research and learn what I need to) but because I don't want these scumbags in my house or anywhere near me.

I can count the number of honest and skilled vendors I've come across down here on one hand. The dirtbags? I don't have enough digits in my whole family to count those.

 

No offense taken. I do as much of my own repairs as possible, but know when I am in over my head. I haven't been a pool owner for very long, and havent needed any major repairs yet. I do alot of research, and ask friends for referrals to someone they have had a good experience with. I just don't have a pool person yet! My only expectations are they know what they are doing, charge a fair price, show up when they are supposed to, and do the repair correctly.

This problem is in every industry. There are people that will act unscrupulously in every industry if given the chance. Didn't mean to slam anyone.

Anyone know any good pool/spa repairmen in Phoenix?

 

How about a beer sometime instead?