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Two new defective pumps?

May 21st, 2004 · 1 Comment

I recently installed a Pentair Whisperflo 3/4 horse pump. My pool
has 1 1/2 inch plumbing. After priming and turning it on, the pot
only filled to about 2 inches from the top. The pump wouldn’t power
the Creepy Krauly. I checked for air leaks but couldn’t find any.
Next I checked the impeller and couldn’t turn it by hand. A day
later, the first pump seized completely when I turned it on. Now I
have a replacement, and it wouldn’t come on the first two times I
tried (just an electical hum) as though it too was seized. It now
comes on, but acts the same way the first pump did. I have 220 volts
at the pump itself.
Question: Should I be able to hand turn the impeller, and is that
likely the cause of the inadequate volume and inability to power the
cleaner? I could easily turn the impeller on a display Whisperflo at
another pool store, and the owner said I should be able to. It seems
unlikely to get two pumps with the same defect, but I did buy them at

the same store. Is it possible that an entire lot of pumps was sent
out with the same defect (over-torked bolts or something)?
Thanks,
Mike

Tags: pumps

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 janis_40 // May 24, 2004 at 8:04 pm

    In a message dated 4/15/2003 2:37:20 PM Central Daylight Time,
    mikensd@… writes:
    Well Mike there are several things that must be checked before you get
    another pump and possibly go through this for a third time. Pentair make
    some fine equipment so the likelyhood of getting a bunch of defective pumps
    is almost nonexistent. When you take the second pump back either have the
    store disassemble the pump and check it or if they give you another have them
    power it up in the store before you take it home. You can run it a few
    seconds without any water in it without damage. Check that the motor is
    wired for 220V because they are dual voltage and could have been wired for
    120V from the factory. Be sure you have 220V at the motor and that the motor
    is wired correctly or in other words that one of the hot leads is not on the
    return. Are you running the pump with the strainer basket in place and
    disconnect the kreepy until you sort out the pump problem. You should be
    able to spin the impeller by hand and when the pump is turned on it should be

    up to speed within a second or two. If it turns slowly up to speed then you
    have it wired wrong or you really only have 120V. Be sure the lid is on
    tight and you put some lube on the lid oring. Be sure the connections into
    and out of the pump are tight because the KK puts a tremendous load on the
    pump and air will find it’s way in if the system is not perfect. The water
    staying two inches from the lid is an indication you have an air leak
    somewhere. It is not rocket science just attention to detail and elimiate
    problems one at a time without making new ones.
    Ken (electricjet)

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