Hot tub won't work? Need advice, tips, help!?!?

Question

Our in-ground hot tub won't work. I had it started, and the jets working but then it just shut off and tripped the breaker for the master bathroom. The control boxes are in the basement under the hot tub and I've never worked with them. Do I have a short or is it something electrical? Any advice or tips. If you know about hot tubs PLEASE HELP me, your advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

It sounds like the hot tub was wired into the Master Bath GFCI circuit.. it would have been better to have had the tub wired onto its own circuit. You can turn off the spa, and go ahead and reset the circuit, to turn power back on to your Master Bath.

When I was building spas, we always put the filter in the line before the pump. So, Im not sure how something could have gotten past that to the pump impellor, like it would on a non-filtered bath tub spa.

My first suggestion would be to put the spa on its own circuit, then try running it again. If it shuts down again, then I would take the pump head apart to check for something inside it. Right now, I would say that it is more likely that you are simply trying to draw too much current on the Master Bath Circuit. Remember, you have not only the pump, but also the heating element in the system. My guess is that your system shut off when the heating element turned on, while the jets were running.

Something like an outdoor spa, or pool filter/pump should always be placed on its own GFCI circuit breaker.

Have Fun!

Answer 2

There's lots of dealers with many different models with many different functions and features. My advice is to not buy on a whim. Visit lots of dealers. Kick the tires and drive 'em around the block. Spending the extra time will pay dividends. I equate buying a hot tub to buying, or building, a house. After you have it for a period of time, you wish you had done things a little differently. For instance, seating configurations, number jets, jet style and placement, and frills like integrated sound systems and video monitors. Consider the number of people (and their size) that will be using it at any given time. Do you require integrated cup holders? What about integrated lighting? A word of advice... we've had tubs that use chlorine and we've also had tubs that use bromine. There's no difference in the tubs themselves, only in the chemicals. And I will tell you from experience that bromine is much more gentle on the skin. One other piece of advice... it pays great dividends to study up on water chemistry. There are quite a lot of web sites that explain water chemistry and the function of all of the neccessary chemicals. By the way, besides bromine (or chlorine), you will likely need to follow a regular regimen of these chemicals: chlorine shock additive, anti-foam additive, water clarifier additive, and possibly water stabilizers such as PHup or PHdown and/or AlkalinityUp or AlkalinityDown. Expect to change water every 3 months. Also expect to spend about $20 per month for the additional electricity (pump and heater). This will get you started. Good luck!

Answer 3

Make sure the main breaker is off before even opening any access panels on the tub. If you see any excess moisture or signs of leakage this could cause the Ground Fault Interrupt to trip. Something could have gotten into the intake pipe and jammed your pump motor. Lost any rings lately ?

Answer 4

J 109 could be right. there probably is something stuck in the pump. i see you have a small child and it could anything small. you do need to shut off the electricity. then take off the pump and take the pump head apart. it doesn't take much to jam it.if the motor and pump turn free then the motor is probably shot.

Answer 5

Sounds like a circuit over-load. Have an electrician take a look at it.

Answer 6

Christ woman is your whole house falling apart??

Allow me to release my built in handyman [zzzzzzzzzzziiiiiiiiiiiiipppppppppppp]

Answer 7

is your whole house falling apart? you can come live with me for a small "fee"