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Hayward Super Pump “humming” Noise For About A Second

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Question:
Hi Joseph or other pool experts,
Yesterday I tried to start my Super Pump. When I flipped the switch I heard a “œhumming” noise for about a second, then silence, and the pump did not start. Someone else suggested that possibly the capacitor died. Do you think this could be the cause? Can a novice replace a capacitor on his own?
Secondly, what is the purpose of this switch shown in Joseph’s picture? How is this switch activated? Thanks Matt H Newtown, PAHayward Super Pump "humming" Noise For About A Second

AnswerS

Hi Matt,

The switch could need adjustment / the capacitor could be bad.

Motor Shuts OFF Check For:

1. Undersized wiring; loose connections; etc.

2. Low voltage at motor or power drop (frequently caused by undersized wiring or extension cord use).

3. Mechanical binding and electrical overload.

NOTE: Your Hayward pump motor is equipped with an ‘automatic thermal overload protector.” The motor will
automatically shut off if power supply drops before heat damage can build up causing windings to burn out. The
“thermal overload protector” will allow the motor to automatically restart once the motor has cooled, provided the
power source is again up to proper levels. It will continue to cut On/Off until the problem is corrected. Be sure to
correct cause of overheating.

Motor Hums, But Does NOT Start Check For:

1. Centrifugal switch stuck in OPEN position.
2. Binding of motor shaft.

Testing The Capacitor:

Source:

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=5326

You can use your multimeter as an ohmmeter to test the capacitor.

1) Discharge the capacitor by shortening its leads. That is use a wire and connect the leads of the capacitor together. This will discharge it.

2) put your multimeter in the high ranges 10K-1M

3)CONNECT MULTIMETER TO CAPACITOR LEADS(OBSERVE THE POLARITY IF ELECTROLYTIC). AT SOON AS THE LEADS MAKE CONTACT, THE METER WILL SWING NEAR ZERO. IT WILL THEN MOVE SLOWLY TOWARD INFINITY. FINALLY THE METER WOULD COME TO BE INFINITE OHMS BECAUSE THE CAPACITOR IS BEING CHARGED BY THE BATTERY OF THE MULTIMETER.

4) IF THE CAPACITOR IS BAD, IT WILL GO TO ZERO OHMS AND REMAIN THERE. THIS IS CALLED A SHORTENED CAPACITOR

5) IN THE CASE OF AN OPEN CAPACITOR THERE WILL BE NO OHMMETER INDICATION.

6)SOME CAPACITORS HAVE A LOW DIELECTRIC LEAKAGE. YOU WILL KNOW THIS IF THE OHMMETER COMES TO REST AT A POINT LOWER THAN INFINITE. TEST A KNOWN GOOD CAPACITOR OF THE SAME TYPE TO BE SURE

Hope that helps as well.

Please let me know if you have any more questions,

Joseph

And because I like pictures ;-)

Where Is The Switch Located On Hayward Pool Pump

Hayward Super Pump Motor Switch
Hayward Super Pump Motor Switch

29 Comments

  1. I have checked, and there’s no clogs or anything stopping the impeller from binding. When thr motor gets going it works fine but sometimes it takes 20 seconds to get going or will trip the thermal sensor or the fuse switch.

    What else can I check?

  2. I have a hayward super 2 pump. It has trouble starting after I shut it off for a short period of time. It hums for about 10sec and the thermal switch kicks in. When it does start it will run for ever. The wiring is good. The voltage is good. Do I need to veify sitch adjustment? how? I did not check capacitor I will next. How do I check for Mechanical binding of shaft. When it does start it seems normal.Anything else.

    thanks

    • Sounds like the capacitor is almost shot.
      If you are handy, take the back off the motor, tap with a hammer and screwdriver, and take the capacitor to a motor repair shop.
      A new one can be had for 10 bucks-ish.

  3. I have a Hayward Super Pump. Just opened the pool and went to turn on pump first time of season and it just hums. Took a look at the impeller. It does not move clockwise and I was able to remove the impeller without having to hold onto the drive shaft. Does the entire impeller assembly move or just the wheel inside? Put it back together and it still just hums. This pump is only about 4 years old. I need help please.

  4. I have a super pump, when I turn it on it hums, the shaft turns very easy. If I turn the shaft so that the square magnet looking piece on the shaft is between the switch and the capacitor, about the 8 o’clock setting, the pump starts just fine, but when you shut it back off if it stops in a different place it will hum again when turned on. Hayward says motor is bad, but when questioned further they say switch may just be bad since it arcs when it is running. Do you think it could be the switch, and if so, where can i get one?

  5. My pool pump is brand new this year, purchased in May. The breakers tripped today. I reset and now when i turn my pump on it just humms and won`t start.

    Thanks,
    Shara

  6. WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE MOTOR SWITCH? EVERYONE AROUND HERE IN BUFFALO, NY WANTS TO SELL ME A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. THEY SAY THE SWITCH IS EXPENSIVE, HARD TO COME BY, AND THEY WON’T SELL ME ONE UNLESS THEY INSTALL IT.

    • Atlantis Pools in Mechanicsburg, Pa takes the switches off of pumps they replace and keeps them, I spent $5, also try Crystal pool in Mechanicsburg, PA

  7. My pump just clicks one time and then silence…I wish it hummed. Mine sounds dead. I’m very handy – any ideas?

    • Hi Mary,

      Sounds like the bearings are seized up.

      It also could be a bad motor switch, what brand of pump is this?

      Let me know and I can be of more help.

      Joseph

  8. My swimming pool pump is overheating and shutting off, wiring checks out, no apparent clog, brand new pump, what could it be?

  9. Turned my pump off last fall. Now it just humms… I can turn the impeller in one direction and it unscrews. should i be able to spin in other direction by hand? there looks to be calcium build up around houding. Are bearings locked up?

  10. my 1hp hayward pump has been humming for a few weeks. i replaced capacitor now the humming is gone but pump acts like it is struggling to pump.pump is 4 years old. and has been running great till now and if i let it keep running while it sounds like its struggling it starts to smoke at the front of the pump.any ideas

  11. I see everyone posting about a motor that hums but doesn’t start, how do I check if its been tripped from thermal overload?

  12. My 5 year old Hayward SP set up for 220v keep blowing one of its two fuses. The pump turns freely, the capacitor is good. After replacing the fuse it will run for about three to four seconds. I had the back cover off while trying it and noticed the item near the top glowed red while it was running (not sure what it is, its at the top of this picture .http://wetheadmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/pictures/2009/07/Hayward-Super-Pump-Motor-Sw.jpg any help would be appreciated.

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