Intermatic PE153F Timer Trouble

My pool has a two-speed pump motor.  When the pump comes on at high-speed, it hums briefly and then shuts off.  It keeps trying to start, but all it does is hum.  I tested the capacitor, and it was fine.  The pump will run on low speed.

With the power leads disconnected from the pump, I checked the voltage for all three leads with the pump on high-speed.  All three leads showed 120 volts.  I was reading the Intermatic manual for timer PE153F, and it said that two circuits would never be on at the same time.

I reconnected the common wire and high-speed wire, but I left the low-speed wire disconnected.  After turning the power back on, I pressed the start button for high-speed, and it ran this time.

I guess circuit 2(low speed) of the timer is stuck “on” which causes problems when timer tries to go to high speed.  Are there any tricks to try before I buy a new timer?

I reached out to our Intermatic rep. Below were his thoughts.

The email suggests 1 of 2 things.  Either the timer is not set in the proper 2 speed mode or as they report that the low speed contact is remaining closed when the high speed is energized.  1st of all the we need to confirm the timer is in the 2 speed mode of 2,4 or 7 depending on their application.  The email suggests that the timer’s mode is set in one of the three 2 speed modes.  Which of the three 2 speed modes depends on their application.  The timer in the proper 2 speed mode is interlocked so only the low  or high can be energized at one time.  If both the high and low were both being energized at the same time they would be fighting between the pump windings which would cause the humming and the pump circuit breaker or thermal disconnect on the pump to trip in under a minute or so.  If the timer mode is set correctly then I concur that the low speed contact has somehow remained closed and should be replaced.

Click Here to View the P1353ME Instructions

InyoRob,

Thank you for responding.  The timer is set in Mode 4.  I believe the Low speed contacts, Circuit 2, are stuck together.  Can just the contacts be replaced or do I have to replace the whole timer?

Thanks,

Tim

Unfortunately, Intermatic does not offer the contacts separately. The digital mechanism would need to be replaced. Click Here to View the PE153F Mechanism

InyoRob,

Thank you for the info.  I’ll order the new part shortly.

Thanks,

Tim

You’re welcome, Tim. Good luck!