HAYWARD SUPERPUMP - CONNECTED TO 115v, Set to 230V

Hello,

I have an Hayward Superpump model SP2610X15. It was connected and wired while I was out of town, to a 20 amp breaker on a 115v supply.

However, the jumper was set to 230v; I believe this was done because I’m using it on a large 33’ above ground, and that 1.5 hp was too much and it runs slower on 115v while set to 230v.

Now, if it was wired to 230v and set to 115v, I assume it would instantly burn up, but not the opposite.

Does this sound plausible? The motor burned up apparently, and was just replaced on warranty. While I realize it’s always advisable to run the motor at the same setting and source voltage, that would probably be way too much for my pool.

So, is it ok - even if not advisable - to run the pump on the 230v setting while connected to a 115v source?

My hunch is “no”.   When I replaced my pump 2 years ago - it shipped from the factory set to 230v.  I have 115v.  When I first wired it I neglected to move the jumper.  It ran HORRIBLY for a minute or two before I turned it off.  I’m guessing it would have burned up had I continued to run it.  I moved the jumper to the correct setting and it’s been perfect.

Ok, I see your point; however, it did run like that for 2 1/2 years with no problems, and sounded normally.

I’m so darned confused now…

Hello Bmack500. It is not advisable to run a pool pump that is set on 230v on a 115v source. If you try to run it that way, it will run briefly and then trip the breaker. We would recommend changing the jumper on the motor to 115v since your input voltage is 115.

The manufacturer of dual voltage motors will ship them set on 230v. This is to protect the motor if the wrong voltage is applied. Starting a 230v motor on 115v will not harm the motor. However, supplying 230v to a 115v motor will cause it to burn up.

The old pump started tripping the breaker after running about two years. It was hooked up to a 115v source but set at 230v on the jumpers.

Tried replacing the startup capacitor, made no difference.

Got a motor replacement on warranty, took it apart and reassembled with the new motor. Shaft turns well, I even replaced all the seals while I was at it.

Now I hooked it back up, set it properly to 115 but it just hums and trips the breaker. I’m stumped. I had also replaced the breaker, and the ground fault.

They used a 20 amp breaker, I noticed the manual says to used 30 amps; I also have a Pentair coloring generator, IC40 I believe, on the circuit and it seems to fire up just fine.

but why would a brand new motor just hum?

The IC40 and the SP2610X15 is too much for a 20 amp breaker. It really should be a 30 amp breaker.

The humming could be the sign of a bad start capacitor. Check out our article titled “How to Test a Pool Pump Capacitor”.

I suppose I will test it, but it’s brand new. Seems unlikely.

Oh, what gauge wire does it need to be for a safe transition to a 30 amp breaker?

10 gauge copper wire is recommended for a 30 amp breaker.

I doubt it’s ten gauge. I was in Afghanistan when the job was done, and wasn’t there to supervise it.