Pool pump wiring - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: HoldTheOnions
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2014, 10:03:02 pm
content: So I posted this on pool forum, but not very helpful so thought I would try here.The bearings on my two speed spa pump went out, and I had an extra single speed pump laying around that I want to connect.My spa controller has four output wires, red, black, white, and green. The black wire engages single speed operation (1750 rpm) and the red wire engages the second speed operation (3450 rpm). The new single speed pump only has 3 terminals for black, white, and green. I have connected these wires to the pump and it works fine, except when the controller's running algorithm cycles through and hits the double speed setting, then it halts on error because nothing is connected.The advanced moderator on the pool forum told me to connect both the red and back directly to the same post and it should work. It doesn't, the break trips immediately when switched back on.My thought was to put a resistor on the red wire, so it thinks there is a load there and continue through the cycle. But I don't know where the other end would connect to. I am assuming to the white, but I don't want to assume and kill the thing.It is $50 plus tools I don't have to replace the bearings, whereas installing the single speed pump was a few dollars in fittings, so I would really like to make it work.Any help would really be appreciated, thank you.

author: HoldTheOnions
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 03, 2014, 04:17:07 am
content: NM, got it worked out.

author: tjb1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2014, 01:57:21 pm
content: You should share what you did so others who find the post can use the information...

author: Timmay
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2014, 11:22:08 am
content: Just a bit of advice.You have a two speed setup and are replacing the pump with a one speed pump.First, what did you do in case you created a dangerous situation.Secondly, the purpose of the two speed pump is efficiency. It is regulated by you (I think) and mainly runs on low speed unless your pool gets dirty, is being cleaned or heated. They are more expensive but they energy savings is significant (I have read up to 70 percent). So to me in California that is important as the pool is up and running all year long. Just some .2 cents to get you thinking.Also, what did you do to get it running?

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2014, 07:16:29 pm
content: I have a hot tub and the low speed of the two speed motor went out. I just connected the red and black together because the low speed is enabled for heater operation. There is a flow sensor that went out in the middle of winter. Hard to get at so I just jumpered the switch. That worked fine till the next time it started and I got a fault. Controller sensed the switch never changed condition. I took a self powered go/no go relay and put it in the current path of the motor. Now it changes state every time the motor turns on. If you got a hot tub, something is going wrong with it all the time!

author: Timmay
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2014, 04:36:03 am
content: Yep, bought a house with one that was pretty new. I kept it up on bromine as my girlfriend at the time was sensitive to chlorine. Anyways, became a pain to maintain so it sits empty as of now.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2014, 03:29:26 pm
content: Ebay is a great place to buy hot tub parts. I get 5 pump seals for about $12, go to a local pool place and they want $24 for one.