What causes a pool pump capacitor to go bad?
What causes a capacitor to go bad? Failure could occur if the incorrect capacitor was installed. If the motor runs lightly-loaded, also known as hot, it can cause high capacitor voltage, ultimately leading to failure. Light-loading or running hot can occur due to restrictions, such as an air leak.
Does a pool pump need a capacitor?
Think of your pool pump capacitor as your pool pump’s battery. It functions the same as a car battery, giving your pump’s motor the required energy to reach the critical velocity (or RPM) before switching over to another power source. And much like car batteries, a busted capacitor won’t allow your pool pump to start.
How long should a pool pump capacitor last?
Another method to know whether or not a capacitor has gone bad is to think about how long it has been since it’s been replaced. Standard pool pump capacitors are only good for around 5000 starts before they go bad. That may seem like a lot of starts, but the get used up quite quickly.
How much does a pool capacitor cost?
When your pool pump fails, it doesn’t always mean it’s time for a new motor. Often times, if your motor is less than 5-7 years old and it fails, the real problem may be the start capacitor. This is a part that costs less than $20.00 and can be easily tested and replaced as a DIY activity.
How many capacitors are in a pool pump?
two capacitors
Pool pumps may have two capacitors, one in the back (the start capacitor) and one on top (the run capacitor).
Why would a capacitor burn out?
A compressor or fan motor that drags due to damage or worn bearings might cause the capacitor to burn up. Lightning can damage a capacitor, A/C compressor, fan motor, or the wires in the unit. Even a weak power surge can damage or destroy the capacitor, which can lead to compressor overload and subsequent failure.
