Water Feature Pump Problem

10 years ago

The front water feature at our house was installed by the previous owner, so it is at least 5 years old.

The pump is a ShinMaywa Norus 1/2hp. It keeps tripping the GFI circuit that it is plugged into. If I reset the circuit, then plug-in the pump, it will run for 3 or 4 minutes, then trip the circuit again.

Does it indicate a bad pump or possible a problem with the wire from the outlet to the pump?

I have pulled out the pump to see that nothing is blocking the inlet, and also cleaned out the basin the pump sits in of any major debris (not that there was much).

Is it possible that there is something blocking the outlet up top at the waterfall that is causing it to overload and trip the circuit?

I have not dug up the power cord yet, as that will involve some excavation.

Just looking for some hints on what to do next.

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Comments (3)

User
10 years ago
Can you run an extension cord to a different outlet that is on a different circuit to see if you can duplicate the problem. If you can, would it be worthwhile to call the manufacturer and ask them about this issue? Perhaps you just need to replace a part and then life would be perfect again. I took the liberty of looking them up. wow, what a pump. Hope it's an easy fix.

http://www.fieldingpump.com
joe009
10 years ago
it sounds like the pump is over heating under load.if you have a swimming pool that you can put the pump in to test it
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waterbug_guy
10 years ago
I generally replace the pump to see if that's the problem. If not I then replace the GFI outlet to see if that fixes it. They do go bad. You also buy a device to measure how much power the pump is pulling, if a lot more than it should you know the pump has a problem. Cheaper sometimes to just try another pump. The chances of the cord being bad is pretty low. I assume there's nothing else on the circuit.