This is my equipment. https://goo.gl/photos/i894iF8pJBBptNrY8 (old pics). I got home last night, and I thought I smelled a burning smell near my equipment. I looked at it, and I noticed I didn’t see the usual small air bubble at the top of the strainer. My pump normally runs from midnight to 9 AM. I started it manually, and it was clearly not working correctly. I found a medium sized football jammed in the skimmer basket. It was massively restricting water flow, but not plugging the pipe completely. I don’t know when it got in there, but is suspect at some point the system was sucking a lot of air. Now, I get a ton of bubbles coming out of the returns. I can’t find anything obvious, and there is a ton of air every time I bleed the valve at the top of the filter. A few hours after turning it off, the strainer basket is now only half full of water. I ordered a new strainer gasket for the top. I will have that tomorrow. If it is anything within the pump or motor, I’m ready to replace both. I feel like if I open either of these up, it is going to be one thing after another that has to be replaced. I have a Hayward super pump now. This model was previously recommended as a replacement: https://www.inyopools.com/Products/44400018080440.htm It has no mention of freeze protection. I think this is the motor, https://www.inyopools.com/Products/00200017074678.htm and it does mention freeze protection. Does the motor/pump combo have freeze protection? It also shows having 2" inlet and outlet. I have 1.5. I’m not sure I have the actual room to fit an adapter. There is very little room on the inlet side of the pump. The Hayward SP2603VSP appears to be the equivalent, and it has 1.5 inch fittings. Any thoughts or recommendations here? Sorry for the long post.
The PL2605 does have freeze protection because it uses the ECM16CU motor.
The Hayward SP2603VSP is a good variable speed pump. It has a low temp/freeze protect feature as well.
Thanks. A few broken parts replaced, and all is well. No pump replacement neccessarry. I now know I have a pre 1995 Hayward sand filter and correct parts for it are hard to find.
We’re glad to hear that your filter is back up and running. Enjoy the rest of the pool season!