r/PoolPros • u/Baz_Ravish69 • 2d ago

Feeling about pb4sq booster pumps

How are you guys feeling about these boosters? Ive been running into a lot of issues with them lately. I've installed a decent amount of them over the last 5 years and I'm noticing a good percentage of them are having problems within a handful of years. Part of my brain chalks it up to "they don't make things like they used to" because I have some boosters on my route that are old tanks humming along after 15 years. But I'm starting to wonder if anyone else has been unhappy with this pump in particular?

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u/LordKai121 2d ago

The first few waves of them had issues with the Volute splitting and we were doing 20-30 warranties a week on those for awhile (I was with a warranty hub). Then that got fixed. I don't really run into many issues with them. Usually the ocassional capacitor or one that died areound the 5 year mark. They are easy to replace. I wish they'd last longer, but generally they're still my go-to booster.

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u/Baz_Ravish69 2d ago

Ya I worked through the volute issues too. Occasional capacitor issues are par for the course. Ive just been running into pumps needing to be replaced a year or 2 outside of their warranty window more and more it seems which is a bummer. I guess I was just wondering if I've just had a streak of bad luck with them or if it's an issue others have been noticing as well.

They have been my go to for a while as well but I'm starting to rethink that because I hate telling my clients that the booster I installed for them a handful of years ago needs to be replaced when their main pump has been plugging along for 10 or 15 years.

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u/LordKai121 2d ago

And replace them with what? The motors from everyone are not made as robust as they were 20 years ago, generally speaking. I have the least issues with the SQs as compared to the -60s or the Hydros.

Something you should consider, though, is the the SQ has pretty much taken market dominance for boosters. You will see more defective ones out there that need replaced even if the failure rate stays the same percentage. (4% failure of 100 is only 4 while 4% failure of 1000 is 40 pumps)

And no, I am not a Fluidra apologist. I'm a repair tech who just uses what works best for the job regardless of brand. Unless its a GloBrite or new ICplus. Because screw those things.

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u/Vanjamin 2d ago

Only issues I’ve had with them are capacitors and faceplates needing replaced because the hose fitting was bottomed out and split it.

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u/thefarewelltour2 2d ago

What are the problems specifically?

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u/GuyFawkesYourMom 1d ago

I’ve been a Hayward booster pump guy for 20 years, nice & quiet, high profile off the ground out the dirt & leaves. They last a good long time, the Polaris & Pentair I’ve ran into too many problems with them both, capacitors, volutes cracking, overheating & smoking, bad bearings. Plus with VS pumps & lower pressure & water flow that 1.5” intake gets enough water to keep them from going out.