Evak Submersible pump - buzzing

[dunny]

Hi all,

Maybe a bit of a long shot but wondered whether anyone had any advice on what might be up with my submersible pump. It just buzzes and no longer spins. I have stripped it and there is nothing seized, no water inside etc. It has a run capacitor and that appears to test OK (shows no resistance). I have tested for continuity across the wires that attach to the cpacitor and there is continuity. I have tested for continuity between live and neutral (that go into the motor) and there is continuity - my understanding is this is correct and there should be? There doesnt seem to be anything else inside the pump except something that looks like it might be a diode but to get to this means unravelling some stuff.

If it is relevant this is an Evak submersible pump and it seems like it is pretty well made..

Thanks

D

 

[jj4091]

Your tests of the capacitor are not conclusive you need to check the capacitance with a meter or volts in and volts out. It would be the first thing I would replace if there is nothing stiff or seized as you say.

 

[dunny]

Thanks - if I bypassed the capacitor by just joining the 2 wires that went to it would this work as a test? I would expect to at least get the motor to spin up momentarily.

 

[just pumps]

If you activate it and spin the impellor and it then runs I would say capacitor has failed.

 

[jj4091]

Thanks - if I bypassed the capacitor by just joining the 2 wires that went to it would this work as a test? I would expect to at least get the motor to spin up momentarily.

No. As just pumps says, if you can spin the impeller and it runs then it is definitely the capacitor, but I think accessing it might be difficult. I don't usually advise to use swopping parts as a diagnostic tool but the capacitors are so cheap I would make an exception here.

 

[dunny]

Thanks - tried this and the pump locked up (I assume it is acting just like an electric magnet) - whch I assume points at the capacitor.

 

[just pumps]

That sounds like motor windings failure rather than capacitor failure. Did you activate the motor and spin the impellor with a screwdriver whilst it was humming.