It is said that the Harris Proforce inground pool pump is much more affordable than swimming pool pumps from better known brands such as Hayward and Pentair. For that reason, the Harris Proforce pump is worth further investigation.
How long is the warranty for the Harris Proforce inground pool pump?
Harris pool products have a one-year limited warranty. To summarize, parts that break during the warranty period shall be replaced at their option without charge. However, parts that were damaged as a result of improper installation, wrong use, negligence or freezing will not be replaced under the warranty. Furthermore, any modifications done to the Harris pool pump will void the warranty.
How much maintenance does this pool pump need?
The strainer basket requires regular cleaning to remove any trapped debris. This is also a good time to see if the strainer cover gasket is still in good condition. Replace the gasket if it seems to be necessary to do so.
The pump motor has self-lubricating motor bearings and shaft seals that does not require lubrication. However, the shaft seals need replacement at some point in time, if the motor lasts that long. Generally speaking, just check that the air vents are clean and unobstructed.
How do you prevent the pump from freezing?
You should drain the water from the pool pump and the piping system before freezing weather hits your area. Remember to turn off the power to the motor before you attempt to drain the water out of the pump. You certainly do not want to permanently winterize yourself.
The pump housing has a small drain plug for draining the water. Open the drain plug and the clear strainer cover. Let the water drain out completely.
You might use a low pressure high volume blower to air purge the pump and piping. However, never use compressed air to purge the system.
If you want to store the pump inside, then you should disconnect the pool pipes, wiring and mounting pad. It is important to keep the motor dry during storage to prevent the formation of condensation that can lead to corrosion problems. Therefore, do not cover the pump and motor with plastic bags.
How do you install the Harris Proforce inground pool pump?
The pool pump should be installed by someone with the necessary experience and qualifications to avoid improper connections and unnecessary injuries. There are a lot of things to consider when installing an inground pool pump, too much to mention in this article. The Harris pool pump instruction manual provides the basic safety, installation, plumbing, electrical, operating, maintenance and storage instructions.
How do you prime the pool pump?
To begin with, make sure that all the suction and discharge valves are open. The air relief valve of the pool filter should also be open. All pressure should be released from the pump, filter and pipes.
The location of the inground pool pump in relation to the water level of the pool determines whether the pump can prime itself or not. If the water level is higher than the pump, then it will naturally flow into the piping system and the pump when the suction and discharge valves are opened.
However, if the pump has been installed above the water level of the inground swimming pool, then you need to prime the pump by filling the strainer housing with water. Replace and tighten the strainer cover by hand before starting the pump.
It might take a few minutes for the pump to prime itself, depending on the vertical and horizontal length of the suction pipes. However, if the pool pump has not primed within five minutes, then you should turn it off and start looking for the reason why it is not priming.
Why is the Harris Proforce inground pool pump not priming?
There are unfortunately quite a few possibilities, so I am only going to briefly mention it.
The pump’s strainer housing is empty and not filling up with water. The most obvious thing to do is to fill it with water and then make sure the O-ring is sealing tightly when the strainer cover is closed.
There might also be connection problems on the suction side which need to be checked. If there are suction air leaks, then the pool pump will not prime. Look at the water returning into the pool: are there bubbles?
Debris might be blocking either the pool pump’s strainer basket or the swimming pool’s skimmer basket. Clean the strainer baskets and make sure the covers are tightened down securely.
Why is the pump motor not starting?
There could be a few reasons why the motor does not want to start.
First, the motor shaft might not be rotating freely due to obstructions or a problem with the shaft seal.
Secondly, there might be an electrical problem with either the wiring or the power supply.
Thirdly, if you have installed a timer, then you should check to see if it is working. Otherwise, you might have to bypass the timer and see if it solves the problem.
If the motor is humming, but not starting, then the impeller is probably jammed with debris. A qualified repair person should open up the pump and remove the obstruction.
Why did the pump motor shut off?
This might point to a power supply problem caused by either undersized wiring or an incorrect extension cord. Get an electrician to see if the wiring gauge is heavy enough to run the pump’s motor.
There is another possible cause. The motor might shut off because the thermal overload protector was triggered by a low voltage power drop. This prevents the motor from overheating. Ask a licensed electrician to find the problem that is causing the low voltage drop.
Why is the pool pump so noisy?
A pool pump that is running too noisily could indicate problems with air leaks in the suction piping, undersized suction lines or even small debris hitting the impeller. If the concern is vibrational, then you should mount the pump on a more stable and solid base pad.
A whining noise coming from the pump could indicate damaged motor bearings due to either normal wear and tear or a leaking seal. Inspect and repair the bearings and seal as soon as possible.
Verdict
Similar to the XtremepowerUS pool pumps, the Harris Proforce inground pool pump seems like a popular choice for DIY pool owners who want to replace their old pump with a new one. Just remember that installing it yourself will probably void the warranty. The manufacturer warns that all the wiring must be done by a licensed electrician, and it must conform to local codes and regulations.
The Harris Proforce inground pool pump costs 50% less than a similar Hayward Super Pump or Pentair pool pump. This low price point is a strong motivation for buying it, even though the pump motor might not last as long as the more expensive options (click here for current pricing on Amazon).