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[CountryBoyJohn]

Does anyone have any experience with the pumps/motors that run the hot tub?  I got all my stove connections made, wired up, and functioning.  But, when I started filling the tub and testing the motors, I have one motor where the shaft turns freely, but the motor won't turn it.  I hear it hum when I turn it on, and then I hear what sounds like a switch in the motor turn off then the humming stops after 4 or 5 seconds.  Then, about a minute later, it does the same thing.  Almost like it is trying to turn the motor again.  Any thoughts? 

[Johnv656]

Ours did that, ended up replacing the motor

[ITO]

 Sounds like the motor's internal (Klixon) thermal overload element is sensing high current (heat) and then opening but once it cools it closes then it starts all over again. Does the motor have an external capacitor mounted on it (a cap start motor has a bulged metal cover on the outside containing the capacitor)? If so it may only need a capacitor which is pretty cheap. This link is pretty helpful and no I'm not a salesman!
http://www.spadepot.com/spacyclopedia/pumps.htm
 

[CountryBoyJohn]

Thanks ITO.  I got the motor out and am taking it to a place today.  I'm hoping it's just the capacitor.  I don't have the hump, but I think it is on the end of the motor.  That link was a good read.

[CountryBoyJohn]

Bad capacitor.  $7.50 for a new capacitor.  $17.50 for the guy to test it and confirm that it is indeed the capacitor. 

[ITO]

 Kind of unusual to see a cap start motor with an internal capacitor but they are obviously out there!
 I dont know how old your pump is but you may consider putting a new wet end on the pump while you have it out, that makes a whale of a difference if the impeller is worn at all. Usually the wet end is pretty easy to change and cost about $40.

[gsilus]

CountryBoyJohn, Sounds like you got by with not much expense
Nice to have such a forum to get ideas from and help.

[mlappin]

Bad capacitor was the first thing that came to mind when you described your symptoms.

Capacitor start motors also have a centrifugal switch in them that can go bad.

Glad we went to three phase on as much stuff as possible, single phase motors are a pain in the but.