PUMP & MOTOR
Your pool water circulates as a result of your pump and motor.
Your pump should operate 10-12 hours a day. If you have a 2
speed motor, 24 hours a day on low speed. If you begin to
experience a water problem, cloudy water or algae present, run
the pump longer and filter the water 24 hours on high speed, if
necessary. Optional automatic timers are a convenient way to
control run-times.
Your pump has a suction side and a discharge side. The pump housing holds an impeller that
pushes water to the discharge side of the pump, where it then flows through the filter for
cleaning and then it goes back to the pool through the return fitting. Most pumps have a lint
strainer where the water enters the pump. The pump strainer basket is usually positioned under
a clear lid, so you can see if it contains any debris. You will have to check the pump basket
regularly and clean it out with a hose. The lid on the lint strainer holds an o-ring that must be
lubricated with an o-ring lubricant from time to time to ensure a good water tight seal. DO NOT
use Vaseline on o-rings as the petroleum can break down the rubber. When worn, cracked or
stretched the strainer lid o-ring will not seal properly which can allow air into the lines causing
the pump to not hold prime and air bubbles in return inlet. Inspect the o-ring for wear and
replace as needed.
Your pump will have (1) or (2) 14ˇ± drain plug(s) threaded into the lint pot and or pump housing;
the drain plug is used to drain water out of the pump for winterizing. If your plugs come with o-
rings you should keep them lubricated to keep air from entering the pump and loosing prime.
Priming Priming your pump (removing air and filling with water) may need to be done
manually. Most above ground pumps are not self priming and occasionally inground self
priming pumps may still need to be primed. At times the pump will lose its prime if the pump is
higher than the water level in the pool, if it has been winterized or after cleaning your pump
basket. If you need to prime your pump use the following steps:
Check water level in the pool is at the half-way point on the skimmer.
Check the skimmer basket ¨Cempty if needed.
Make sure the drain plugs are installed in the pump.
Check that any valves leading to pump are in the open position
Remove the lid from the lint strainer at front of pump.
Take a garden hose and put it into the pump housing. Fill the pump housing, which
should automatically fill the suction line.
When water flows out of the pump housing remove the hose.
Put the lid back on the pump over the basket area. Check the lid O-ring is in place so
that no air gets into the pump housing.
Quickly turn ˇ°onˇ± the power to the pump.