Great tip Steve! Another scenario that I experienced with a new VSP is electronic noise from the motor controller that triggers the GCFI. Apparently this is reasonably common with Pentair pumps. They sell a propietaty breaker ($$$$) as a fix. It has a somewhat higher than normal trigger current.
I experienced this with a Pentair VSP. Just curious, how far was your GFCI from the main house panel? In my customer's case it was roughly 100 feet, and I read that long electrical runs can cause that to happen. We just swapped it out with a standard 240V breaker. I didn't know about the proprietary breaker, thanks!
It's not a proprietary breaker it's just a rebadged siemens. Had the same issue quick trip to the big box supply store and for a fraction of what Pentari wanted I was good to go. Been running it for five seasons. Also my research showed it's not just pentair other variable speed pools pumps and other similar devices can trip some GFCI breakers.
@@lordgarth1 I read that Siemens sorts out breakers at the high end of tolerance for GFI trip current and brands them for Pentair. You can luck out and get one direct from Siemens or not. Just what I read... But grading electronics in this manner and charging more for some specs is pretty common.
I agree with most of what you said, but there is a nonzero chance that it’s simply a bad/weak breaker. Since a breaker is generally an easy swap, it may be worth trying that first.
I had the same problem with my old Hayward power flow pump had the bronze motor. It made a weird noise and the breaker tripped and a couple months later I plugged it in in the motor star smoking.
i suppose one day i will have to get a new pump. so far my hayward super pump single speed is 6 yrs old and running great. but when the time comes i was thinking of the black and decker brand. hopefully by then they'll be cheaper to buy and the bugs will be worked out. one thing i hate hate hate about todays stuff is circuit boards. hot tubs for example. it would be great to have a hot tub with just many on/off switches. you want it hotter?... turn on another switch. hotter still? flip the next switch and so on.
I have found if you do invest in a variable speed pump, be sure to replace the pump seal every 2 or 3 years , one leaking seal will ruin you investment quickly.
I'm an industry pro with 27 years in. Idk WHY two speed motors are absolutely absent from the conversation. They're basically bulletproof, all electromechanical (zero electronics) and conform to DOE regulations. Been on the market for decades. I guess most pool pros want higher sales, and most consumers want bigger headaches. Go figure.
Great tip Steve! Another scenario that I experienced with a new VSP is electronic noise from the motor controller that triggers the GCFI. Apparently this is reasonably common with Pentair pumps. They sell a propietaty breaker ($$$$) as a fix. It has a somewhat higher than normal trigger current.
I experienced this with a Pentair VSP.
Just curious, how far was your GFCI from the main house panel?
In my customer's case it was roughly 100 feet, and I read that long electrical runs can cause that to happen.
We just swapped it out with a standard 240V breaker.
I didn't know about the proprietary breaker, thanks!
It's not a proprietary breaker it's just a rebadged siemens. Had the same issue quick trip to the big box supply store and for a fraction of what Pentari wanted I was good to go. Been running it for five seasons. Also my research showed it's not just pentair other variable speed pools pumps and other similar devices can trip some GFCI breakers.
@@lordgarth1 I read that Siemens sorts out breakers at the high end of tolerance for GFI trip current and brands them for Pentair. You can luck out and get one direct from Siemens or not. Just what I read... But grading electronics in this manner and charging more for some specs is pretty common.
@@mayorb3366 Maybe 60 feet.
I agree with most of what you said, but there is a nonzero chance that it’s simply a bad/weak breaker. Since a breaker is generally an easy swap, it may be worth trying that first.
If you read the video description you will see that I mention this here. I agree with you.
I had the same problem with my old Hayward power flow pump had the bronze motor. It made a weird noise and the breaker tripped and a couple months later I plugged it in in the motor star smoking.
i suppose one day i will have to get a new pump. so far my hayward super pump single speed is 6 yrs old and running great. but when the time comes i was thinking of the black and decker brand. hopefully by then they'll be cheaper to buy and the bugs will be worked out. one thing i hate hate hate about todays stuff is circuit boards. hot tubs for example. it would be great to have a hot tub with just many on/off switches. you want it hotter?... turn on another switch. hotter still? flip the next switch and so on.
I have found if you do invest in a variable speed pump, be sure to replace the pump seal every 2 or 3 years , one leaking seal will ruin you investment quickly.
Most variable speed pumps use solid state electronics to vary the frequency to control the motor speed. Very unreliable and expensive to repair.
I'm an industry pro with 27 years in. Idk WHY two speed motors are absolutely absent from the conversation. They're basically bulletproof, all electromechanical (zero electronics) and conform to DOE regulations. Been on the market for decades.
I guess most pool pros want higher sales, and most consumers want bigger headaches. Go figure.