[ARGOS]

I replaced this Sta-Rite 1 hp jet pump with a new Gould 1 hp jet pump (JRS10 was my choice). The start switch is hammered. I replaced the pump based on the pump contractor's recommendation over the phone. He felt it was a good idea to do a preemptive replacement because the pump is 15 years old. I have used the pump guy a few times, but haven't established whether I will use him on a regular basis or not. To be honest I am concerned that he is more focused on selling a new pump then diagnosing a simple problem.

When I flipped the breaker the start switch sent a spark out the pump and kept popping the breaker.

Could it be as simple as replacing the start switch or could it actually be the motor that has fried the start switch? Or that the start switch had tightened down over time and was hitting the impeller gizmo?

 

[Wet_Boots]

What about the starting capacitor?

 

[ARGOS]

I'm all ears. How do I test it? I am assuming the starting capacitor is the black cylindar to the left of the switch?

 

[ARGOS]

Whats your thoughts on a 15 year old pump? I know that some of the pumps I see are a lot older then that.

 

[Mike Leary]

I'd be looking for another pump guy; there's no reason for you to get involved. We have been blessed with our pump guy and he's showed up and got us back on line for twenty five years. I don't understand why a lot of you guys screw around with stuff you have no clue about. :hammerhead:

 

[Wet_Boots]

That it is - you have to discharge it before you go poking around. The starting capacitor is the item to check. Or you could just install a new capacitor, since you will always have one in stock, if you want to get into pumps in this much detail.

Square-mount motors ~ Feh.

 

[ARGOS]

That it is - you have to discharge it before you go poking around. The starting capacitor is the item to check. Or you could just install a new capacitor, since you will always have one in stock, if you want to get into pumps in this much detail.

Ok I give...how do I discharge it? Does "discharge it" mean I will get a zapparoni if I am not careful?

I don't really want to get into pumps in this much detail, just chasing a curious fancy. If I can get the pump on-line I can put it on the gray water system I am still working on. I have to be online with it this summer.

 

[ARGOS]

I don't understand why a lot of you guys screw around with stuff you have no clue about. :hammerhead:

At this point purely for fun. Not sure why one wouldn't want to learn something new?

BTW isn't it your bed time?

 

[Wet_Boots]

Sorry, I bail at this point - just due diligence when dealing with the dangers of electricity. You have to have the confidence to deal with pump wiring without any internet hand-holding. Search. Read. Learn. Then decide.

 

[Mike Leary]

BTW isn't it your bed time?

Getting close to bed time, but I hope you see my point; the pump stuff is a grey area with irrigation; we need it, but the pump guys say, "how many gallons @ how many psi do you need." It's not that easy, and pumps are not going to be holding our hands; that's why I went to on-demand systems years ago. Don't be dinking with stuff that you have clue zero about. :hammerhead:

 

[Wet_Boots]

Speaking of electric shocks - a recent episode of CSI had a story about a band member being shocked onstage - Rascal Flatts was in the episode as the band.

 

[irritation]

Those Sta-Rite's are rock solid pumps, I have a dozen or more in service that are 20+ years old.
In most cases it's just the impeller shaft frozen up from lack of use and lubing it frees it up but it will keep happening if it's not run often.

 

[ARGOS]

Sorry, I bail at this point - just due diligence when dealing with the dangers of electricity. You have to have the confidence to deal with pump wiring without any internet hand-holding. Search. Read. Learn. Then decide.

Fair enough after the "zapparoni" comment. I am trying to let my ego go to rest. I already knew that the capacitor is a "battery" of sorts and will cause a shock. I honestly don't know how to discharge one, but I am sure I can research that one.

Boots I knew you had a lot of pump experience and was fishing for your input. Not asking for internet hand holding. Purely for the excitement of learning something new. No intention to replace a pump guy. Just broadening my knowledge.

 

[Wet_Boots]

Those Sta-Rite's are rock solid pumps, I have a dozen or more in service that are 20+ years old.
In most cases it's just the impeller shaft frozen up from lack of use and lubing it frees it up but it will keep happening if it's not run often.

That's why square-mount motors rate a "Feh" - the slightly-more-expensive NEMA 56J mount gives you some shaft to grip with pliers, for freeing it up.

 

[ARGOS]

Getting close to bed time, but I hope you see my point; the pump stuff is a grey area with irrigation; we need it, but the pump guys say, "how many gallons @ how many psi do you need." It's not that easy, and pumps are not going to be holding our hands; that's why I went to on-demand systems years ago. Don't be dinking with stuff that you have clue zero about. :hammerhead:

I see your point regarding the fact that pump stuff is a gray area in irrigation. The point being that one cannot be the jack of all trades the master of none.

Regardless I disagree that we should not "be dinking with stuff that you have clue zero about". There is also a gray line between increasing ones knowledge by "dinking" with areas outside our experience. My college experience is in art history...I still dink in architectural history purely out of pleasure. Can't we go the same route with areas close to our trade? Let me rephrase that...don't we have an obligation to continue our education to areas of our trade that may not be directly related?

 

[irritation]

All irrigation techs should have knowledge with pumps. I'm mostly residential but still have quite a few that pump from lakes or reservoirs.

 

[mitchgo]

I learned a ton last year on pumps.. I actually took 2 old ones home and took them apart to see how it all works. I had a couple jobs that I didn't understand.. so I took my own time to learn them.

I agree with mike as the sense of a 'leader' should not dink with things that they don't know. But a learner.. as long as the leader knows what is going on.. should dink around all they want..

For me personally.. When it comes to diagnosing an issue that doesn't follow rule books step by step . (meaning issue A- doesn't lead to just an issue B...It's B -Z) I love to have the hands on situations and learn from them.. even if I make mistakes first.

 

[greenmonster304]

Ok I give...how do I discharge it? Does "discharge it" mean I will get a zapparoni if I am not careful?

I don't really want to get into pumps in this much detail, just chasing a curious fancy. If I can get the pump on-line I can put it on the gray water system I am still working on. I have to be online with it this summer.

touch all the terminal to each other

 

[Wet_Boots]

Safest way is to simply read the voltage of a capacitor. The meter will slowly discharge it. Sometimes very slowly. My reluctance to get into electrical details isn't meant to be a judgment on any particular questioner, but rather a concession to the fact that any non-posting nimrod might misread a forum post, and do themselves harm.

Unless it's known that the pump impeller is free to spin, voltage should not be applied to the motor.

 

[1idejim]

Fair enough after the "zapparoni" comment. I am trying to let my ego go to rest. I already knew that the capacitor is a "battery" of sorts and will cause a shock. I honestly don't know how to discharge one, but I am sure I can research that one.

Boots I knew you had a lot of pump experience and was fishing for your input. Not asking for internet hand holding. Purely for the excitement of learning something new. No intention to replace a pump guy. Just broadening my knowledge.

www.ohmcheck.com/capacitor.html