Hayward Super Pump “humming” Noise For About A Second

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, PA

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