# Help me buy a running pump motor capacitor **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 17, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788 "2014-08-17T22:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/1 "2014-08-17T22:51:32Z")
I need to replace this capacitor in a hot tub pump [http://s18.postimg.org/extfuetrt/image.jpg](http://s18.postimg.org/extfuetrt/image.jpg) It has 4 terminals ( only 3 were used ) and is 16 micro farads. Help me find an equivalent online ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/2 "2014-08-17T23:35:19Z")
Do you need an exact replacement, or is there space for a different form-factor cap? For example: [http://www.amazon.com/CBB60-Wired-Motor-Start-Capacitor/dp/B0087ZAVP4](http://www.amazon.com/CBB60-Wired-Motor-Start-Capacitor/dp/B0087ZAVP4) (As and aside, I just replace the 15µF motor run capacitor on my pool pump a few weeks ago. The motor was running fine until I replace the impeller, and then it started to overheat. Turns out the cap was completely open, but the motor ran OK without it, because the old impeller was so worn.) ETA: here’s a pretty close match: [http://www.ebay.com/itm/Square-Motor-Electrolytic-CAPACITOR-350V-AC-16UF-15-2UF-16-uF-16-8UF-50-60HZ-/251604942610?hash=item3a94d2bf12](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Square-Motor-Electrolytic-CAPACITOR-350V-AC-16UF-15-2UF-16-uF-16-8UF-50-60HZ-/251604942610?hash=item3a94d2bf12) ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/3 "2014-08-17T23:39:14Z")
Thank you for the quick reply. There is space for other form factors. However I am not sure the one you linked will work - since there are 3 terminals that need to be connected and I are only 2 in the one you linked. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/4 "2014-08-17T23:50:21Z")
Well, capacitors only have two terminals. The extra terminal is just there for convenience - if you use an ohmmeter, it should measure 0Ω between two of the terminals. Just splice the wires together, or get something like this: > **[Male/Female Disconnect Adapter: Bare, Butted, 482 Degrees F, 0.032 in x 0.250...](https://www.grainger.com/product/3M-Male-Female-Disconnect-Adaptr-2DTZ4?s_pp=false&picUrl=%2F%2Fstatic.grainger.com%2Frp%2Fs%2Fis%2Fimage%2FGrainger%2F2DTZ4_AW99%3F%24smthumb%24)** > > Looking for Male/Female Disconnect Adapter: Bare, Butted, 482 Degrees F, 0.032 in x 0.250 in Tab Size, 500 PK? Find it at Grainger.com®. With over 1.6M products and 24/7 customer service we have supplies and solutions for every industry. (A well-stocked hardware store should have them.) ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/5 "2014-08-17T23:50:33Z")
I think it is start and run capacitor in one ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/6 "2014-08-17T23:54:07Z")
> [@am77494](#): > > I think it is start and run capacitor in one Do you have the motor model handy? Usually dual capacitors will have both values marked on the package (e.g. - 16/16, or 16/5). ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/7 "2014-08-17T23:59:21Z")
Here are the faceplates for the motor and the pump [http://s3.postimg.org/io8jzdlwv/image.jpg](http://postimg.org/image/io8jzdlwv/) [http://s3.postimg.org/m6kjvrmsv/image.jpg](http://postimg.org/image/m6kjvrmsv/) ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/8 "2014-08-18T00:01:07Z")
Better resolution [http://s3.postimg.org/4gngogylr/image.jpg](http://postimg.org/image/4gngogylr/) [http://s3.postimg.org/jzkwll6wf/image.jpg](http://postimg.org/image/jzkwll6wf/) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/9 "2014-08-18T00:01:35Z")
Images are too tiny to read. ETA: Still. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/10 "2014-08-18T01:54:29Z")
Here is a pic of the motor - hopefully you can read it this time [http://s7.postimg.org/f1jpy8r4r/image.jpg](http://s7.postimg.org/f1jpy8r4r/image.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/11 "2014-08-18T01:57:34Z")
And a pic of the pump face plate [http://s13.postimg.org/tkxr24wmv/image.jpg](http://s13.postimg.org/tkxr24wmv/image.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/12 "2014-08-18T03:06:13Z")
Those photos are great. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information about the motor. Do you have a meter? If so, I’d measure continuity between the 4 capacitor terminals, and see if they are actually two pairs, or 4 separate ones (a non-shorted dual cap should read infinity on any combination of two terminals, after a moment to let the meter charge the cap.) ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/13 "2014-08-18T03:09:30Z")
I did that. You are right - there is continuity on two pairs. So it’s just a 16uf capacitor ? Any idea if this is the run or the start capacitor ? Does a 6 amp motor typically even need a run capacitor ? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/14 "2014-08-18T03:12:26Z")
> [@am77494](#): > > I did that. You are right - there is continuity on two pairs. So it’s just a 16uf capacitor ? Any idea if this is the run or the start capacitor ? Does a 6 amp motor typically even need a run capacitor ? My guess is, it’s a start capacitor. Run capacitors are used to improve efficiency (power factor), and that’s not a big deal on a fractional-horsepower motor. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-running-pump-motor-capacitor/695788/15 "2014-08-18T07:50:08Z")
C61 aka CBB61 type capacitor 16uF , 450 V AC > **[CBB61-715 15uf 450 Volt Motor Start Capacitor](https://store.eurtonelectric.com/capacitorcbb61-71515uf450vac-1-1-1-1-2-1-3.aspx)** > > CBB61-715 15uf 450 Volt Motor Start Capacitor from the Eurton Electric Parts Store