How To: Replace Your Pool Pump's Capacitor

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Save yourself the cost of a new motor. Check the capacitor first. When you turn on your pump and the motor produces a humming sound, the motor may be frozen so that it won't turn or you may have a bad capacitor. This video guide will help you check the capacitor. It can be replaced for a fraction of the price of a new motor. Note: Some motors have two capacitors: a run capacitor and a start capacitor. If so, check both.

[chezmarie]

Thank you! I was able to diagnose and fix pool pump by myself! Had a new one ready to install and after watching your video, I took capacitor off new pump and installed on old pump. Running like a top. Now to order new one for the new pump and save it for another day. Another day, another dragon slayed by great grandma!!! 🎉

[garymanis]

Note: The video shows "shorting" across the terminals with the yellow wires. That isn't actually doing anything and won't make the capacitor safe to handle. Those two terminals are already connected at the top of the capacitor. The capacitor has two pairs of terminals. Each pair is a single piece of metal with a rivet in the center. You want to short the two pairs of terminals. Otherwise, this is a very helpful video.

[MrShadyfish]

I just received my start and run capacitors for my Sta-Rite (A.O. Smith) pump motor from InYoPools. Now my pump runs properly. The motor had a slow start problem...like it was bound up when first turned on. Probably just a start capacitor, but I replaced the run capacitor while I was at it. Also replaced the terminal panel, which had gotten brittle and was cracked. Thanks for the great parts and videos to help. Good company!

[gradychristie]

Thanks! I bought a new capacitor for about $7.00 and it fixed the problem. A lot better than replacing the whole motor.

[ldsturgeon]

All videos that I have watched do not cover the (3) wires, where they attach and why, and from what component. Great video indeed.

[matthewweber]

Very informative video. I have an A31 Tidal Wave pump for a koi pond and am trying to replace the capacitor. How forceful should I push the leads onto the terminals of my replacement capacitor? I worry about breaking the terminals if I apply to much pressure

[jonathankukor]

This video is amazing! I love this guy's voice.

[CRJ]

My pump only has 1 lead wire coming out(it's red) and there are 2 terminals on the capacitor. Is this normal and do I only hook up the one or am I missing a lead wire?

[danimalmaxasis]

I thought there would be more explanation of the wiring and what it does just about anybody can just replace it but what if you get wire in the wrong place anybody can just simply change it if you have the exact capacitor that's what happened to me I've changed capacitor before but this time I burnt up the capacitor now can you explain why that's what I'm looking for.

[bwram]

What if I removed the 3 leads and am not sure which one came from where? How do I know where to place them on the new capacitor?

[kvalenta]

I put on new capacitor pool pump worked for 20 minutes then turned off. After 30 minutes I tried again and pump started. When I removed leads I was not sure of where to put them back. Any ideas for me.

[Nanerbeet]

Please please PLEASE turn the power off at the circuit breaker. I was working on my pool equipment one day with the panel in service mode. Out of nowhere, we had a momentary power outage. As soon as power came back on, the panel booted up in "auto" mode and turned on the filter pump after just a few seconds! Luckily, my fingers were not checking for debris in the impeller housing at that moment but could have been! Even since then I appreciate why it's so important to turn off power at the circuit breaker.

[tkkak]

I have a captor on top and back. Which one should I replace?

[qwertykeyboard]

My mom thought it would be a really GOOD idea to leave the pool pump RIGHT on the ground, completely exposed.

One bolt drilled out, and the front bearing replaced with a (less bad) new one, and I have a really nice motor on my hands! Now if only I had a chuck...

[michaelsarkies]

you are discharging the cap incorrectly. the screwdriver is shorting across terminals with yellow wires that are already common to each other. this will not discharge the capacitor. you must short from one joined pair to the other joined pair.

[Jdww]

so how do you know how to place the wires on the capacitor if it's not the exact same model

[Leonbsultra]

when capacitor burns out, will be any noise when turn on pump? mine doesn't have any sound, but the connected light bulb is on,   brake reset a few times, not sure what is wrong

[mvctv]

Hello sir where is the connection of that violet wiring?

[robertosoriano]

owner misplaced the busted capacitor. can you please help me the rating capacitor for hayward super ll 2Hp motor (model C48M2N111A3) ? pump has only 1 capacitor

[bigDrob]

What model number of the pump used in this example