I have a Polaris booster pump for a Polaris 280. The timer is set to start after the main pool pump and to turn off again before the main pool pump. Right now my approximate run time is about six hours. The booster pump has been shutting down in the middle of the rescheduled runtime, and then been seen to restart without any action, as if it were “resting“. I suspect it is overheating, and then after a cool down pump begins operation. Has anyone had this problem before and is it more likely that the problem is related to the timer or to the booster pump? The booster pump is probably about 15 years old and until recently not giving me any trouble whatsoever. Thanks in advance for any ideas that anybody might have.
Polaris Booster Pump “resting”?
- Thread starter kjpelchat
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,776
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Your booster pump is probably shutting down due to its thermal protection. Six hours is a long time to run the cleaner.
Do you really need to run the cleaner for 6 hours?
I run my Polaris 380 for 3 hours and that is overkill. It cleans the pool in half that time.
Try running your cleaner for less time and you may not need to buy a new cleaner pump for a while.
Your booster pump is probably shutting down due to its thermal protection. Six hours is a long time to run the cleaner.
Do you really need to run the cleaner for 6 hours?
I run my Polaris 380 for 3 hours and that is overkill. It cleans the pool in half that time.
Try running your cleaner for less time and you may not need to buy a new cleaner pump for a while.
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Time for a new pump. Just replacing the motor is too costly for the results. A Polaris 280/380 will run about 2500 miles in a year at the suggested 3-hour run time. Running as long a 6 does nothing to get the pool cleaner and wears the cleaner out faster. Unless you have a very large pool, you will find that it will keep the pool clean with a run as short as 2 hours. Polaris always suggested 3 hours as they were confident that an average pool would be cleaned in that time.
How old is the pump?
Can you show the motor label?
Install the red or blue restrictor disc to reduce the flow.
Check the voltage and current going to the motor.
Check the motor temperature and look for hot spots using a FLIR thermal camera or a non-contact infrared temperature reader.
Assuming you are measuring surface temperature, in the shade, at air temperatures less than 90 F, I would give this as a rough guide:
Below 135 F, good
135 to 150 F, warm
Over 150 F, too hot.
Can you show the motor label?
Install the red or blue restrictor disc to reduce the flow.
Check the voltage and current going to the motor.
Check the motor temperature and look for hot spots using a FLIR thermal camera or a non-contact infrared temperature reader.
Assuming you are measuring surface temperature, in the shade, at air temperatures less than 90 F, I would give this as a rough guide:
Below 135 F, good
135 to 150 F, warm
Over 150 F, too hot.
Install the red disc.
The red disc will provide more restriction, which will reduce the load on the motor by reducing the flow.
The universal wall fitting comes with a blue restrictor installed and an optional red restrictor for use if needed.
These special restrictors are designed to work in combination with the pressure relief valve.
Together they will release excess water pressure so the Polaris can operate at its optimum level of efficiency.
The red restrictor provides maximum water restriction, while the blue restrictor provides less restriction.
The red disc will provide more restriction, which will reduce the load on the motor by reducing the flow.
The universal wall fitting comes with a blue restrictor installed and an optional red restrictor for use if needed.
These special restrictors are designed to work in combination with the pressure relief valve.
Together they will release excess water pressure so the Polaris can operate at its optimum level of efficiency.
The red restrictor provides maximum water restriction, while the blue restrictor provides less restriction.
Fifteen year old pump. Time for new.How old is the pump?
Can you show the motor label?
Install the red or blue restrictor disc to reduce the flow.
Check the voltage and current going to the motor.
Check the motor temperature and look for hot spots using a FLIR thermal camera or a non-contact infrared temperature reader.
Assuming you are measuring surface temperature, in the shade, at air temperatures less than 90 F, I would give this as a rough guide:
Below 135 F, good
135 to 150 F, warm
Over 150 F, too hot.
Thank you all for the great comments. I cut the booster pump back to 2 hours and I am happy with results and the pump seems fine.