spa motor troubleshooting - Diesel Forum

greenskeeper79 · 12-29-2007, 10:28 AM

Just bought a house with a calspa hot tub. Trying to get it working, the main motor just clicks, won't pump water. After about 15 sec it trips the GFI/breaker on the spa. The booster pump works fine but only circulates and is not a heating motor.

My question is, what are the odds that I can fix the main motor? If so any tricks to try? The spa has been sitting all year long so maybe it is corroded? (spa was empty all year).

Is the motor probably shot? This is my guess since it trips the breaker after 15 sec.

Any ideas? Thanks.

9ENGEL · 12-29-2007, 10:56 AM

I had the same problem with my hot tub when I got it. On mine the shaft seal on the pump leaked and water got into the motor and had seized it.

On the back of the motor, the shaft had a groove that a flat blade screw driver could be used to try to turn it to see if it is seized.

Rollie · 12-29-2007, 11:13 AM

see if the shaft turns then try it and if not it is most likely a start capacitor. they are cheap but might be hard to figure out which one to replace it with.

If it runs after it turns then it was just rusted shut and should be ok after that.

There should be a cap covering the back of the shaft and a 9/16 wrench will spin it, if it wont spin with a wrench easily then just replace the motor

BuilderBob · 12-30-2007, 01:09 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: greenskeeper79</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> and is not a heating motor.</div></div>

heating motor?

greenskeeper79 · 12-30-2007, 03:41 PM

It is the main motor in-line with the heater...not an actual heating motor...sorry for the confusion.

For an update, I can turn the motor but it is very stiff. Rotated a few times and it still trips the breaker.

Guess it's time to look for a new motor or a complete new tub.

Rollie · 12-30-2007, 04:12 PM

The shaft has rust on it but it will run. Just turn the shaft about 100 times and try it agian.

The start cap isnt strong enough to get it clean by itself

**johnm** · 12-30-2007, 08:07 PM

if the jets have metal ball berrings in them, they sometimes come loose and jam the impeller. remove the motor and manually rotate the motor backwards and shake the berring loose. i had to do that three times.

powerstroke_mike · 12-30-2007, 10:06 PM

is the motor wired right ?? ie is the motor wired for 220volt an you have only 115 going to it.. will try to start for a few sec an then trip.. (my neighbors hot tub had the same prob)

greenskeeper79 · 03-22-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

The shaft has rust on it but it will run. Just turn the shaft about 100 times and try it agian.

The start cap isnt strong enough to get it clean by itself

Finally got warm enough to mess with it again. I got the cap off to turn the shaft with a 7/16" wrench. Unfortunately I can't get a crowesfoot wrench in there to make the process go faster. A socket won't work as the shaft is shaped like this (=)

Probably have turned the motor 15-20 revs, still no go but it doesn't trip the breaker now.

Guess I have to keep turning it? Awkward as hell under there!

How freely should one of these motors turn?

Rick M · 03-22-2008, 08:19 PM

Might try something like a Superstart Capacitor from a HVAC/Refrgeration supply house. Worked like a champ on a stubborn upright freezer that would not start after sitting for a few months.

bosspsd · 03-23-2008, 03:47 PM

I have been trying to figure out my calspa for last 2 months. Not sure if they are set similar or not but here is what I ended up doing. My pump motor was fine and I could get the whole thing to work for a a day or two then it would over heat. Calspa wanted 460 to replace the compute board. After calling a lot of spa supplyers I ened up buying a new control pack which replaces everything but the pump motor. They are pretty easy to swap out and it coast about 425, that included a new ozoneator. I have new 5 year warranty and all is fine. I do have to figure out how to run my LED lights as the new control pack did not offer an option to do so.

ActionSpa - Digital Products

Above is a the link where I purchased mine.

greenskeeper79 · 03-23-2008, 04:12 PM

Update

Finally got a socket to go over the motor shaft and be snug enough to turn it. Got out the air compressor and air-socket. I spun the motor with that for a good 2 minutes and it actually got to the point where it turned freely!

Turn the electric on and the motor works! I can see why it isn't worth it to "winterize" a spa...I'll be using it year round anyway - I think the best part of a spa is being in one during a snowstorm.

So far so good, I have a small leak at the motor I've been working on - looks like it is where the motor shaft goes into the impeller. I am hoping that an o-ring is just dry and will seal up once I start the motor with the spa full. That will be the test as I can't see how to get at that leak without pulling the entire motor assembly.

(crossing-fingers)

greenskeeper79 · 03-23-2008, 08:13 PM

Well the small leak at the motor continues. The motor spit out a small bushing like thing from there it is leaking. Looks like I will have to replace at least the wet side of the motor or the entire thing if I can't get just that part - which is probably most likely. Almost wish I hadn't gotten the motor working and just had to get a new one to begin with!

Rick M · 03-24-2008, 10:26 AM

Maybe it will just be a new seal kit for the pump, not all that unusual for them to go out.

amb2958 · 03-24-2008, 08:34 PM

Sounds like you just need a new seal kit... nothing hard about changing that other than getting the pump out.