jmkratt
Well-Known Member
Both sound like a voltage issue - what is the voltage at the plug in the wall. If it is way below the nominal 110V then adding a extension cord would drop the voltage seen by the pump even more + at a lower voltage the pump will draw more current and get hotter. Possibly tripping the thermal protection. I'm guessing they just stop working and then after a while they start up fine again?
Sounds like a voltage issue, you may need a heavier gauge or shorter extension cord. It also may be the wires on the receptacle are not making a good connection.
Thanks guys. One pump worked in the garage a year before failing. The other just never worked. Chugger suggested a smaller extension cord, 6'. It works on the side of the house but not in the garage, where it worked for well over a year. Maybe it's my setup? I just don't understand how it would work fine for so long and then fail. It failed outside too, but started working after I put a fan on it. It's 98* outside which is 20* hotter than the garage but again it won't work in that outlet any more...?