Do you have a question about the CENTURY CENTURION and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers
Robert Ruffer
February 1, 2025
I have a Century pool motor. I have messed up the wiring on the capacitor by not taking a picture. It has 4 wires. Black, brown, orange and white with a red stripe. The capacitor has 3 prongs. ****, Herm and C. Can you tell me which wire goes to which connection.
Gregory Peters
February 8, 2025
I have a centurion motor # 10-159988-04 and need a capacitor, can not read tag on capacitor
William E Oswald
March 26, 2025
how do i change the brushes in a 8-177450-di motor
Robert Manning
March 26, 2025
What does switchless mean? How does the start winding disconnect from the circuit once the motor starts turning?
1 comments:
Mr. Anderson
March 26, 2025
"Switchless" in relation to the A.O. Smith CENTURY CENTURION motor means that the motor does not use a mechanical centrifugal switch to disconnect the start winding. Instead, it likely uses an electronic or solid-state component to automatically disconnect the start winding once the motor reaches the proper operating speed. This design eliminates mechanical wear and increases reliability.
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I nstal l a t io n — Mainten a n ce — Ser v i c e — Troubl es h oo t in g CENTURY ® POOL & SPA MOTOR MANUAL...
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INTRODUCTION elcome to A.O. Smith’s line of Century ® Motors. This pocket manual is designed for one purpose — to make it simple for you to install, maintain and troubleshoot Century pool and spa motors. Contrary to what you may be thinking just now, your last name doesn’t have to be Edison in order to...
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So save yourself some time and effort and just ask for Century first — at any A.O. Smith distributor or dealer. Century motors are as rugged as any you’ll find, but keep in mind that all motors need service and maintenance at one time or another.
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Motor Troubleshooting Motor Fails To Start (makes no sound) ....19 Motor Fails To Start (hums, tries to start, blows fuse or trips breaker)........20 Motor Starts But Shuts Down (overload problem)..........21 Noisy Motor..............21 Motor Hot, Smoking Or Cycling........22 Information Needed For Motor Replacement ....23 Troubleshooting A Capacitor .........23 Best Way To Use A Volt-Ammeter.........24 How To Replace Bearings..........24...
® CENTURY CENTURION & Centurion ® , C-flange Switchless “1081” Motor • Standard Efficiency • E-Plus, High Efficiency • ⁄ – 5 Hp • No Switch, No Governor • Single phase or three phase • Suitable for operation at 50 Hz, 1.0 service factor •...
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® E-PLUS MOTORS Centurion ® , Square Flange Switchless “1081” Motor • Standard Efficiency • E-Plus, High Efficiency • ⁄ – 5 Hp • No Switch, No Governor • 303 stainless steel threaded shaft • Suitable for operation at 50 Hz, 1.0 service factor •...
™ FLEX-48 POOL AND SPA MOTORS Flex-48™ Single-Speed Motors, Thru-Bolt Mount Suitable for jetted tubs and above-ground pools and spas. • ⁄ - 3 Hp • 56-frame conversion base • 3- ⁄ ” shaft height • ⁄ ” threaded shaft •...
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® CENTURION DESIGN FEATURES 2. All Threaded shafts are 303 stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance. Keyed shaft of carbon steel is iron phosphate treated to prevent rust. Stainless steel shafts provided on cast iron C-flange, keyed shaft product. 3. Double-sealed high thrust bearings protect against dirt and moisture.
On A.O. Smith motors the nameplate is usually found on the side of the motor, below the capacitor. Shown below is a sample pool motor identification nameplate.
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3. FR (Frame): The frame identifies the mounting and shaft configuration. It doesn’t indicate the diameter of the shell. A.O. Smith’s line of Centurion and Centurion SE motors have a “56 frame” shell and are 6.5 inches in diameter. Neptune and Flex-48 products are designed in a 48 frame shell and are 5.6 inches in diameter.
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NEMA mounting and shaft standards. 4. TYPE: The electrical design of the motor is shown by its type. A.O. Smith uses “CX” to identify its switchless design. Other codes include “CS” for capacitor-start, “S P” for split-phase and “CP” for capacitor start / capacitor run.
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maximum horsepower (Hp x SF). 12. TIME: Time indicates the duty cycle of the motor. Pool and spa motors are generally rated for continuous duty. 13. AMB (Ambient Temperature): The maximum ambient (surrounding) temperature in which the motor is designed to operate. This temperature is shown in Celsius rather than Fahrenheit.
A.O. Smith single phase pool and spa motors feature a thermal overload protector that will shut down the motor if it overheats. As the windings begin to cool down, the overload protector will automatically re-start the motor.
The task of wiring E L E C T R I C A L your motor is fairly C O N N E C T I O N S simple. The wiring diagrams shown on the following pages are color-coded for easy reading.
WIRE SELECTION GUIDE THE SIZES SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING WIRE SELECTION CHARTS ARE RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY. ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODES. 115V Power Line Maximum Distance from Fuse Box to Motor Motor Hp 50’ 100’ 150’ 200’ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄...
TOOLS ith a few simple tools, you’ll be ready for just about any kind of basic motor service. To make your job easier when installing or servicing a pool or spa motor, make sure that you have these tools in your toolbox before you begin working... •...
Don’t spray the motor with a water hose. If it’s accidentally flooded, have it inspected at a A.O. Smith authorized service center. The ball bearings L U B R I C A T I O N in A.O.
MOTOR TROUBLESHOOTING Before you even touch the W A R N I N G motor, MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF. Always turn the power off at the electrical service entrance fuse or breaker box, to prevent possible electric shock. To prevent electrical shock when touching the motor, be sure windings and capacitor are securely grounded to the ground terminal which should be used in conformity with local codes.
6. Inspect the motor windings for continuity. 7. If voltage is proper at terminals and the motor is cold, remove the motor and take it to a A.O. Smith Authorized Service Center. MOTOR FAILS TO START (hums, tries to start, blows fuse or trips breaker) 1.
MOTOR TROUBLESHOOTING capacitor using an ohmmeter (see “Troubleshooting A Capacitor” page 23). 5. Rotate the motor shaft. If you hear a grinding sound, disassemble the motor and check: the conditions of bearings, a rotor rubbing the stator, corrosion, a cracked frame, clogged fan or obstruction(s).
1. Mounting, motor coupling and brackets. Tighten loose nuts, bolts or set screws. 2. If a noticeable drag is present, check the bearings and bearing load spring. 3. Make sure motor fan moves freely and rotor isn’t rubbing stator. Look for loose or binding parts inside the motor or pump.
MOTOR TROUBLESHOOTING 6. Check the start switch for broken contact welds or a broken spring. 7. Check the capacitor with an ohmmeter. A bulged capacitor indicates failure on most motors. But with a Centurion, the only way to verify a failed capacitor is with the ohmmeter.
As a rule, if it’s necessary to replace one bearing, replace the other as well. Use only A.O. Smith bearings with the proper part number for the motor that you’re working on. A.O. Smith bearings are lubricated and require no further...
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MOTOR TROUBLESHOOTING bearings because this could damage the motor and cause a return service call. 1.TURN THE POWER OFF 2. Remove the cover from the motor and disconnect the electrical supply leads from the terminal board. Then remove the electrical cable Tape Tape or conduit from the end frame.
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6. Remove the bearing(s) from the motor shaft, following these steps as necessary: a)Remove shaft collars used to secure bearings. Don’t reuse a bearing that is removed from the shaft. 7. Install the new shaft bearing(s). It is important to press only on the bearing inner race. The bearing will be damaged if the outer race surface is pressed.
Authorized A.O. Smith Service Center to qualify for warranty coverage. When ordering parts, refer to the part number and serial number on the motor nameplate.
® FLEX 48 FRAME Two-Speed Type CSM 1.0/.12 Hp 115 Volt Single Voltage Type CSM 1.0/.16 Hp 115 Volt 115 or 230 Volt Type CSM 1.5/.18 Hp 230 Volt Type CSM 2.0/.25 Hp 230 Volt...
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® FLEX 48 Single Voltage Type SP– ⁄ to 1 ⁄ 115 Volt...
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® FLEX 48 Dual Voltage Type CS–1 ⁄ to 4 Spl Hp 230/115 Volt...
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HOW TO IDENTIFY THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE For Century Pool, Spa or Jetted Tub Motors To identify the month and year your Century pool, spa or jetted tub motor was manufactured you need to know the serial code. The serial code on the nameplate is made up of three parts: serial letter (year), serial number (month), and manufacturing sequence number.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the CENTURY CENTURION and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers
I have a Century pool motor. I have messed up the wiring on the capacitor by not taking a picture. It has 4 wires. Black, brown, orange and white with a red stripe. The capacitor has 3 prongs. ****, Herm and C. Can you tell me which wire goes to which connection.
I have a centurion motor # 10-159988-04 and need a capacitor, can not read tag on capacitor
how do i change the brushes in a 8-177450-di motor
What does switchless mean? How does the start winding disconnect from the circuit once the motor starts turning?
"Switchless" in relation to the A.O. Smith CENTURY CENTURION motor means that the motor does not use a mechanical centrifugal switch to disconnect the start winding. Instead, it likely uses an electronic or solid-state component to automatically disconnect the start winding once the motor reaches the proper operating speed. This design eliminates mechanical wear and increases reliability.
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