A.O. Smith pool motor

Pool Equipment
1

Just had a replacement motor installed on Pool water pump.  It is an A.O. Smith Model K48N29A105C4, Serial # 08111EM.  It is an overhauled motor (as per Insurance co. req’ts).  All of the data plate is legible with the exception of the H.P. rating.  It is supposed to be 1.5 HP.  Is there any way to verify that it is indeed 1.5 HP?  The reason for asking this is that the motor that was removed (bearing failure) also had the HP rating scratched out and I suspect it was an overhauled motor as well.

Brownie

2

Can you provide a clear picture of the motor label? I would like to verify that model number and some of the stats. The K48N29A105C4 does not cross-reference to anything.

3

Thanks for your input, but the label is buried under the motor and would be impossible to photo.  The numbers I listed are correct.  This gets crazier as it goes as I had emailed A.O.Smith on the motor and was informed that the sold their motor business and now I received an email from RegalBeloit.com stating that the motor was a special build for Heat Craft and they did not want the H.P. to be shown on the label!  How is that possible?  It has obviously been scratched out by someone.  This is nuts!  The motor in question drives the water pump for our pool.  Other data on the label–230V, 60HZ, 11.5Amps, 1Phase, Frame48Y, TypeUAK, EnclOD9. AO Smith Corp Mexico

Brownie

4

Manufacturers do not print the horsepower on spa motors because they are usually a lie (Article: Why Your Spa Pump’s HP Is a Lie.) Spa motors say they are 3 - 6 horsepower when in actuality they are 1 - 2 HP with some shady math to inflate the number.

Because it is a special batch motor there is no literature or cross-reference I could find it. If it is running fine without struggling, smoking or overheating then there shouldn’t be any cause for alarm. If the motor was too small for the pump’s 1.5 HP impeller it would be doing one of the aforementioned things.

5

Thanks again for the info.  I tend to agree that it is “mostly smoke and mirrors” anyway.  Went to your recommended website and someone had posted a method for figuring the HP.  He said to multiply the voltage X max. amps and divide by 745.7.  If I do the math the HP rating comes out to 3.54HP which I do not believe.  His divisor must be incorrect.  I hate to belabor the subject, but it is pretty interesting.

Brownie