Things to consider when replacing your pool pump motor

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - June 9, 2013 - PRLog -- It's June across the United States and that means one thing for sure.......swimming pools are opening all over the country to be available for the summer.  The best way to cool off in a hot summer is to jump into the cool, clean waters of a swimming pool.  

Most people using the pools aren't the ones that have to maintain them.  For those responsible for maintaining a swimming pool this summer be on the look out for that dreaded sound........the loud, whining, of a pool pump motor getting ready to fail.  Nothing brings swimming pool fun to an end faster than a failed pump motor.  Once it fails, all water movement in the pool stops.  The water is no longer being pushed through the filter.  The chemicals are no longer being distributed throughout the pool to keep the water at it's proper balance.  And nothing is working to prevent algae, debris, and bacteria from taking over your pool.

Luckily, a new motor for most pools is now affordable for many people.  On the web, typical 1 hp up-rated (max rated) motors go for around $170 delivered and typical 1 hp full rated (standard rated) motors go for around $200 delivered.  So, for do-it-yourselfers, affording a motor is pretty reasonable, the real challenges are determining which motor you need for your pool pump and how to install it correctly.

In order to determine which replacement pump motor you need, you will have to find out your pool pump manufacturer and/or determine the model and part number of your existing motor.  See this link for further details:  http://www.allpoolfilters4less.com/blog/post/3552046.

Once you have the motor and shaft seal for your pump, removal of the old motor and installation of the new motor is all that is left between you and a functioning swimming pool system.  The new motor will come with an installation guide.  However, some people will run into problems removing their old motor.  Some of the most popular pumps, such as Hayward Super Pumps are very straight forward and only require the removal of four bolts and 2 or 3 wires.  Some other motors, however, have additional clamps and/or brackets that will also need to be taken off in order to remove the old motor.

I have found that for just about every pump available, the owner's manual for the pump includes step by step instructions on how to remove the motor and install a new motor.  So, either dig up your original pump owner's manual or go online and find it.  Hayward, Pentair, Sta-Rite, Jandy, Waterway, and others all post product manuals on their websites.  

One last tip, it is always recommended by the motor manufacturers that an authorized electrician remove/install your pool pump motor.  However, probably 8 out 10 actually do it themselves.  Before you begin you should also determine the voltage in the wires going to your pump.  They should be either 110 or 220.  This is important and the information is needed for installing the new motor.  See the new motor installation manual for details.

In summary, pump motors are available online at very affordable prices.  With some planning, skill, caution and information gathering, a do-it-yourselfer can replace the pool pump motor.

Good luck and enjoy your pool.

Gary
All Pool Filters 4 Less (http://www.allpoolfilters4less.com )