Sta-Rite DS3HF-01 intermittently tripping breakers

[Scott Amendolaro]

My Sprinkler pump recently started intermittently tripping breakers on startup. When it does start pump runs it is working fine .

I have noticed that the pump is buzzing pretty loud for sometime 5-10 seconds before the breaker trips. I looked at my TED monitor while this happened and it looks like the pump was drawing 10kw for 13+ seconds (@ 240) before the trip. When I reset and restart that delay is often about 4-5 seconds before it starts. So it definitely looks like the amp pull is causing it.

Not sure at this point if its the motor or the Cap and thought I would ask here what you thought before I went and bought a new motor.

The DS3HF is about 7 years old , running on an artisan well .

Thanks

Scott

(Below is a look at the Sprinkler pump turning on and when the breaker trips. Each dot is a second

 

[Reach4]

I have noticed that the pump is buzzing pretty loud for sometime 5-10 seconds before the breaker trips. I looked at my TED monitor while this happened and it looks like the pump was drawing 10kw for 13+ seconds (@ 240) before the trip. When I reset and restart that delay is often about 4-5 seconds before it starts. So it definitely looks like the amp pull is causing it.

Not sure at this point if its the motor or the Cap and thought I would ask here what you thought before I went and bought a new motor.

Was the pump running during the high current draw? If no, replace the capacitor.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Scott Amendolaro]

Was the pump running during the high current draw? If no, replace the capacitor.

No , when it runs the current draw is normal.

Thanks, I'll pick up a CAP .

It had a NGM 680171-007 189-227uf 110 in it . Couldn't find an OEM replacement so ordered a similar MARS2 11915 for $5.

I'll let you know how things go.

 

[Scott Amendolaro]

Thanks for the help. That did the trick. Pump starts instantly now and no more high current spikes,

 

[Valveman]

Usually burning a start cap means you are cycling the pump on/off too much. That start cap is only used during a start, so too many starts?

 

[Scott Amendolaro]

Usually burning a start cap means you are cycling the pump on/off too much. That start cap is only used during a start, so too many starts?

Depends what too many looks like , We are water restricted here ( since I've been here) so during the summer it only starts 4 times a week and during thee winter 2 times . The Relay actually went bad several weeks earlier but I could hear the long startup times long before that . I have had a near-lightning strike 2 years ago which damaged some equipment in the home , the pump wasn't one of them but it could have contributed

 

[Valveman]

That is not too much cycling. Must have got a pop from lightning or something.

 

[Reach4]

That is not too much cycling. Must have got a pop from lightning or something.

Hot environment could have contributed some.

 

[Valveman]

Could also be a weak or bad centrifugal switch keeping the cap in circuit too long. Or a combination of all the above.