Hayward HCP4200 impeller problem

Today we talk about the Hayward HCP4200 impeller problem.

It happened to me to repair this model of pump several times and I noticed always the same pattern: the impeller cracks.

This pump used to be Kal500 by Kripsol https://www.ks-pool.com/bombas-piscinas-publicas/34-bomba-de-piscina-kripsol-kal-500-kalifornia-hcp-4200-hayward.html.

Later Kripsol brand was acqired by Hayward you can find details in this link https://www.eurospapoolnews.com/actualites_piscines_spas-en/52421-hayward,acuqires,kripsol.htm so now we call it Hayward HCP 4200.

Onsite check up

When I first checked on the pump, I noticed the typical situation of damaged mechanical seal: https://youtube.com/shorts/2e5hRt-wKNU so I proposed to the customer a complete maineinance.

Disassemble and analysis

So I disassembled the pump in my workshop, and analyzed the situation. After the ball bearings replacement I checked on the old mechanical seal: https://youtube.com/shorts/pGfgKRdTwNM and I noticed that it was not in bad conditions, so that was not the only problem. I analyzed more carefully the plastic impeller and I noticed a little crack, so I arrived to the core of the problem.

This is not the first time I notice this crack in this impeller

One time it can happen, the second time (on a different pump) I thought someone made a bad repair before the pump came to my workshop, but this time, I personally installed this pump a year ago, so nobody could have touched the pump.

Hayward center assistance in Malaga told me that this problem is given by the high quantity of salt pumped by the impeller. He told that the gardeners use to put the salt directly inside of the skimmers. Bullshit.

Three different pumps, same impeller crack means just one thing: that shaft is not well fitted inside of the impeller or that plastic impeller is too fragile for a 4kw pumps.

I need Hayward recognize this problem quickly and send me a free impeller.

I also know that Hayward made an impeller with a brass support, that means that they are well aware of this fabrication problem.

SOLUTION:

To solve the emergency of this customer i decided to buy another plastic impeller, BUT I’m going to suggest the customer to install a soft starter to avoid further cracks of the impeller.

I proposed SOFT3DN de ASelectric https://aselectric.es/

Thanks to this device the pump will start and stop gradually. This way we can reduce very much the risk of damage the fragile plastic impeller.

Apart to give to the pump a soft-start, SOFT3DN will protect the pump for lack of a phase, I.max, I.min. Definitely a good investment.