You are not just buying a motor, but a complete drive system. A submersible motor and stainless geared system can be quite pricey. While a regular 3/4 hp motor may work, it is subjected to a rather harsh environment and may not last more than a year or so with the combination of water and chlorine. They you still need a drive mechanism. If you were to assemble a system of your own, I can see where you'd spend $500 to $700 for parts easily and they may not work nearly as well or for long.
Exactly. Per your comments and those of Ed, are we talking replacing/ fixing just a motor or is this the price for a whole drive system? If it's just the motor, identify it as a component itself and you will likely find that it is available from other sources or could be rebuilt by a local electric motor shop.
I think that is a good idea. I don't know why the motor won't start, but, maybe they can get it to start.
The cover was left retracted for years and the sun bleached the fabric so much that it tore all along the edge where it was connected to the leader bar across the pool.
I thought we could just cut off the first two feet of the cover but the salesperson who came to look said he has to replaced the whole cover if any part of it is torn (safety thing he said).
I was hoping a "sailsmith" (or whatever they're called) could sew a new front leader onto the cover but I'm resigned to replacing the cover if I can find a supplier other than the original company who can do it for less.
The pool cover is torn at the edge and the motor doesn't spin when I turn the key.
They quoted me assuming the motor and pool cover needed to be replaced, but, said if the motor doesn't need it, then they'll just replace the cover.
Since I now now (after their quote) that the motor is 1200 bucks if it needs replacing, I'm better off taking it to a motor-fix-it place as per your recommendation.
The cover is the tough thing. I'd like to just cut off the first two feet and then sew it (somehow) back to the pipe that it's attached to in front but they said they had to replace the whole cover at hugely inflated prices!
Good idea. And certainly before concluding the motor needs to be removed, you need to verify that voltage is present at the motor. Just because the key doesn't make it go doesn't mean it's the motor. Could be the key switch, gfci breaker, loose wire, etc.
Owning a pool is expensive. A retractable pool cover is another not inconsiderable expense. We've had one for many years. It's usually closed to keep dirt out and heat in. The sun takes a toll. It comes with a 5 year warranty. We've had in replaced 3 times in 20 years.
Here's the thing about doing it yourself. It if fails, you have no recourse. We've had the same company do all of the work. If something fails, they can't point the finger at anyone else. A couple of times the seams have ripped early. They came out and fixed it for no charge or only a nominal charge.
If the seam ripped in one place, it's probably getting weak everywhere. If you sew it yourself or have someon=e do it, you'll have to disassemble it and then reinstall it correctly. I've watched them to it. If it's not aligned, the motor will tear it or it'll jam.
For me, it's far cheaper in the long run to make them do it and do it right and fix it if it breaks. ymmv. It depends on what your time and frustration is worth.
You remind me a bit of the person who buys a high-end luxury car and then complains about not being able to use cheap gas. If you are going to own a pool, there will be expenses.
Now, if you don't like to trust the cover company, find another company.
Actually, Pool Covers, Inc. is the company that installed our pool cover and has maintained it for 20 years. They are not cheap, but they seem reasonable. When we have had a problem, they have fixed it. When something didn't exceed the warranty, they have either fixed it free or prorated the cost of replacement. They've been in business since
You are also ignoring a couple of other potentially serious issues. (1) Safety. Pool covers can be a hazard. Someone can get trapped underneath and drown. I wouldn't trust a handyman to know the risks or the laws. (2) Warranty. I would not trust a handyman to repair a submersible motor or the complicated drive mechanism without voiding the warranty. (3) My time. I would rather pay a few hundred dollars more and make it their problem. It's a complicated pool cover -- not a closet door.
At least the pool cover warrantee is almost useless to me, as I'm not the original owner. The pool was built more than 10 years ago and the company has no record of the cover being replaced so nothing is under warrantee ... not the drive, not the pool, nothing.
I've never collected on a warrantee in my life so I didn't expect much anyway from it.
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