Replacing pool pump motor

[dneves]

I had a leak and my pool level dropped. Its fixed, but the relatively new pool pump ran for an unknown period of time while the level was too low. It was ok, but apparently shortened its lifespan.
Anyway, now I'm replacing a 2 year old pool pump motor. I'm confident I can do it but not sure how to drain the capacitor. I'm attaching a picture of the motor where the wiring connects. I want to be absolutely certain before doing it since I think there's a shock potential. Am I looking at the right place? Do I just need to short (carefully, of course) the gold screws and which ones?

 

[dneves]

Century B985 Y56Y frame, in case that makes a difference. The motor replacement is the exact same motor from 2 yrs ago...

 

[JamesW]

The capacitor should discharge through the windings.

What is wrong with the motor?

 

[dneves]

It started squealing when it ran dry. Its got steadily worse and started leaking now. I stopped it hoping I won’t have to replace the impeller again. I got 6–12ish more months out of it running loud.

Sorry, I don’t have any idea how to identify the windings. does that show in the picture? Or should I be taking the cover off the ‘bump’ on the top of the motor?

Am I missing some way to fix it feasibly? I haven’t opened the box for the new motor and can return it with a restocking fee, but I don’t think I can replace the bearings myself. I don’t have the tools, for one thing. And yes, I did get a gokit also.

 

[JamesW]

I would just replace the motor.

No need to worry about the capacitor being charged.

Keep the old motor for spare parts if needed.

 

[JamesW]

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[dneves]

Ok thanks. That’s the exact plan. I just thought I needed to discharge the capacitor before removing the motor.

 

[JamesW]

The only time that a capacitor might be charged is if the windings opened during operation.

The capacitor discharges through the windings, so it is extremely rare for the capacitor to be charged.

A PSC motor (Permanent Split Capacitor Motor) is a single phase motor used in many HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) systems.

A PSC motor uses a Run Capacitor in order to create the phase shift required to start the motor.

However, unlike capacitor start motor – the start winding does not disconnect from the circuit after the motor has started.

 

[dneves]

I was nervous about the capacitor but thought everything else would be straightforward and relatively easy. I was overly optimistic. Getting the impeller off was a bear but I successfully got it removed & undamaged. Now I've put it everything back together except for the last 6 bolts. I have between 1-2 inches side to side clearance by each bolt because of the extremely tight area it was installed into (pitfall of living inner city) and it doesn't want to go on straight. Now my back has decided those last bolts and the electric connection will wait another day when I've rested and have more patience. I'm confident I'll get it started up tomorrow.

Thanks for the explanations James!