Pool Pump Not Running at Capacity

You can see that the water is not filling the basket, so the pump is running at about half capacity.

Motor Specs:
Mfr #: SQ1102
Hz: 60 Motor Shaft Rotation: CCWSE
Phase: 1 Nameplate RPM: 3450
Shaft Material: 303 Stainless Steel Motor Sub Application: Pool and Spa Pump
Motor Application: Pump Motor Enclosure Design: Open Drip proof
Motor Mounting Type: Face HP: 1
Motor Thermal Protection: Auto Shaft Dia.: 5/8"
Voltage Compatibility: 115, 120, 230, 240, 115/230, 120/240 Shaft: Threaded 1/2-20 UNF-2A RH
Voltage: 115/230 Motor Efficiency Group: Standard
Ins. Class: B Item: Square Flange Pool Pump Motor
Full Load Amps: 19.2/9.6 Motor Service Factor: 1.65
Motor Design: Capacitor-Start Max. Ambient Temp.: 50 Degrees C
Frame: 48Y Design: Two Compartment

I replaced this pump to specification given the distance and amount of head needed to pull water from the bottom of the pool. Even though the pump was rated to draw water from the bottom of the pool, it would not do it cold without first priming the pump. So, I installed some PVC piping inline with the input pipes and set it up for hose connection. I turn on the hose while drawing from the bottom of the pool and it primes the pump automatically. This solved the problem better than filling the basket with water to prime the pump and closing it quickly. Running the hose inline also allows me to control the rate of drain when there are only a few inches of water left in the bottom of the pool and I'm trying to power wash or hose the dirty water into the drain. This method works much better than using a shop wet vac to get the remaining few inches of water out of the bottom of the pool.

Also, using this method, I can keep adding water to thin out the dirty water until it is pulling only clear water, thus getting all the dirty water out of the pool and leaving a clean bottom and drain without using the shop vac. I will be using this in a week or so when I dry the pool to paint it. Keep in mind when you use this method that you have to stop and clean the pump filter basket frequently for clear flow. That is a small price to pay for the ease of not having to tote the last bit of water out of the pool, or buying a stronger pump. $$$

[XrpAndy]

Fill the pump up with water and close the lid as fast as you can if that doesn’t work repeat the process a couple times and if that doesn’t work get a garden hose stick it into the impeller and let the water run through the pipes for a minute and if that doesn’t work you have a leak in the system making it so your pump will not prime fully