off topic electrical - checking capacitors

[slipperyrockTKE300]

How do you check a capacitor to see if it is any good....and how to do it without getting zapped?

My swimming pool pump motor won't kick on - just a loud hum, then trips.

I'm suspecting the capacitor.

[kaneboats]

Mine sat there and got real hot before it finally tripped the breaker. It was junked. Decided to replace the whole thing as pump and motor were original from 2000. Went with this one and am very happy with it. Much quieter than original one and tons of power.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PENTAIR-SUPERFLO-1-HP-INGROUND-SWIMMING-POOL-PUMP-AND-MOTOR-COMPLETE-340038-/370200294707?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5631a83533

[philwsailz]

My best means of testing a start cap on a 110 electric motor was to replace it. They are relatively cheap. If the motor runs after replacing the cap, the old cap must be bad. If the motor doesn't run after replacing, the cap was not necessarily the problem.

Doe the motor spin freely by hand? Can you get to it to test that?

[slipperyrockTKE300]

youtube is a blessing. Got all the info I needed.

The pool store "Pinch - A - Penny" has a capacitor meter and they agreed my problem was the cap.

For $32 my pool pump runs like new. It was installed in 2003..

Thanks for trying to help - appreciate it!

Pat, I have the 1.5 HP PentAir.

Yes, it does run pretty quiet.

[kaneboats]

Good for you! Mine was seized up and the pump had pieces falling off of it.