Pool PumpsPressure Cleaner Booster
LX DBM204-ES Pool Pump Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 1.3 hp pressure-cleaner booster pump, with verified specifications.
- WEF0.70 kgal/kWh
- SpeedSingle-speed
- Rated horsepower1.3 hp
- Est. yearly cost$156
About the LX DBM204-ES
This guide covers the LX DBM204-ES, a 1.3 hp pressure-cleaner booster pump on the ENERGY STAR certified list.
Its Weighted Energy Factor (WEF) is 0.70, meaning it moves about 703 gallons of water for each kilowatt-hour of electricity under the DOE test. The federal minimum for a pump of its type and size is 0.45, so it is about 56% more efficient than the least efficient pump allowed. Its WEF is higher than 78% of the 10 pool pump models in our database.
At its test point it delivers 9.8 gpm against 119 ft of head while drawing 839 W at 3,475 rpm — the high-pressure, low-flow duty a pressure-side cleaner needs. A booster pump does not filter water; it takes water from the filter pump's return line and raises its pressure to drive the cleaner, so it must only run while the main filter pump is running.
It uses a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor with a rated output of 1.3 hp (0.30 hydraulic horsepower).
Specifications
| Brand | LX |
|---|---|
| Model number | DBM204-ES |
| Pump type | Pressure Cleaner Booster |
| Motor speed design | Single-speed |
| Motor construction | Permanent split capacitor (PSC) |
| Rated horsepower | 1.30 hp |
| Hydraulic horsepower | 0.296 hhp |
| Weighted Energy Factor (WEF) | 0.70 kgal/kWh |
| Federal minimum WEF for this pump | 0.45 kgal/kWh |
| Better than federal minimum | 56% |
| Low-flow test point flow | 9.8 gpm |
| Low-flow test point head | 119.0 ft |
| Low-flow test point speed | 3,475 rpm |
| Low-flow test point power | 839 W |
| Freeze protection | No |
| Connected functionality | No |
Safety information
- Pool pump wiring must be installed by a qualified electrician in accordance with the National Electrical Code (Article 680) and local codes, including GFCI protection and a disconnect within sight of the pump.
- Connect the pump's bonding lug to the pool's equipotential bonding grid with a solid copper conductor (at least 8 AWG). Bonding reduces shock hazards in and around the water; never remove it.
- Turn off power at the breaker before servicing the pump, and wait for the time stated on the label before touching the drive of a variable-speed motor.
- Before opening the strainer lid or the filter, turn the pump off and open the filter's air-relief valve to release pressure. A filter or lid opened under pressure can separate violently.
- Never operate the pool with missing, broken or loose drain or suction-outlet covers. Suction can trap hair, limbs or bodies; know where the pump's emergency shut-off is.
- Never run the pump dry. Running without water destroys the shaft seal and can melt plastic housings.
- Store pool chemicals away from the pump and motor, and never add chemicals directly into the skimmer while the pump is running unless the product label says it is safe.
- Run the booster pump only while the main filter pump is running and circulating water; running it alone can damage the booster within minutes.
Installation and first-time setup
How the LX DBM204-ES is plumbed and programmed matters as much as its rating. Use these steps as a checklist with your pool professional.
- Plumb from the filter return
A booster pump draws from the return side of the filtration system and feeds the dedicated cleaner line. Follow the manufacturer's plumbing diagram and mount it on a level pad near the filter equipment.
- Plumbing
Use the pipe size the manufacturer recommends, keep elbows to a minimum and leave a straight run of pipe ahead of the pump inlet. Lower plumbing resistance (head) means more flow per watt. Install unions and valves so the pump can be isolated and removed.
- Electrical
Confirm the supply voltage matches the pump's nameplate and any voltage selection on the motor, provide GFCI protection, and connect the bonding conductor. Ask the electrician to tighten and inspect all connections at start-up.
Using your pool pump
Running the cleaner
Most pressure-side cleaners need only a few hours of operation a day. Schedule the booster to start after the filter pump has been running for several minutes and to stop before it shuts off. At about 839 W, each hour of booster run time uses roughly 0.84 kWh.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Check the cleaner's in-line filter screen and the main pump's baskets; restricted supply makes the booster noisy and the cleaner sluggish. |
| Monthly | Look for drips under the booster and listen for changes in sound while it runs. |
| Every season | Keep leaves and debris away from the motor's cooling vents and check that the bonding wire is still attached. |
| Before freezing weather | Drain the booster with its drain plug when the pool is winterized. |
| Every year | Have connections and the motor checked; replace the shaft seal at the first sign of leaking, and have the capacitor tested if the motor is slow to start. |
Troubleshooting
Most booster problems trace back to the main filter pump, the cleaner line or the electrical supply. Always turn off power before working on the pump.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Booster will not start | Breaker or GFCI tripped; timer or automation not calling; failed capacitor. | Check the schedule and the breaker (reset a GFCI once only). If the motor hums without turning, have the capacitor tested. |
| Booster is loud or rattles | Main filter pump off or running too slowly; restricted supply from a dirty filter. | Make sure the filter pump is running at an adequate speed and clean the filter. |
| Cleaner moves slowly or stalls | Clogged in-line cleaner screen; leaking or kinked cleaner hose; worn cleaner parts. | Clean the screen, inspect the hose and check the cleaner for wear. |
| Water leaking from the booster | Worn shaft seal or loose fitting. | Replace the seal or tighten the fitting before water reaches the motor. |
| High-pitched squeal or grinding | Worn motor bearings. | Turn the booster off and have the motor serviced or replaced. |
| Motor shuts off after running a while | Overheating from blocked vents or low voltage; thermal overload tripping. | Clear the vents and have an electrician check the supply voltage. |
Energy use and running costs
Assuming the LX DBM204-ES runs 3 hours a day, every day of the year, at its rated 839 W, it would use about 919 kWh per year — roughly $156 at $0.17 per kWh.
Every hour you trim from the daily schedule saves about 306 kWh ($52.09) a year. A seasonal pool that runs the cleaner only half the year would use about half as much.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WEF rating of the LX DBM204-ES?
The LX DBM204-ES has a Weighted Energy Factor of 0.70 thousand gallons per kWh, compared with a federal minimum of 0.45 for its type and size — about 56% better.
How much electricity does the LX DBM204-ES use?
It draws about 839 W at its rated point. Running 3 hours a day year-round, that is about 919 kWh, or $156 a year at $0.17/kWh.
What horsepower is the LX DBM204-ES?
It has a rated horsepower of 1.3 hp and a hydraulic horsepower of 0.30 hhp — the power it actually delivers to the water at its rating point.
Can the LX DBM204-ES run without the filter pump?
No. A pressure-cleaner booster pump relies on water supplied by the filter pump. Interlock or schedule it so it runs only while the filter pump is on.
Is the LX DBM204-ES ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified pool pump list, with a certification date of April 2023.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified April 20, 2023), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with LX. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact LX or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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