Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: spa_dr. on August 18, 2006, 03:30:37 pm

Title: oops
Post by: spa_dr. on August 18, 2006, 03:30:37 pm
Term were you aware that there are no suction fittings in the footwell of hot spring spas?  
I understand why and the reasoning behind it, OBVIOUSLY other people do not.  
Would you please explain before the department of home-land security gets involved.  
  
thank you
Title: Re: oops
Post by: East_TX_Spa on August 18, 2006, 03:52:45 pm
It surely is one of my favorite topics!!! :D

I'll just refer folks to this discussion in the Dead Hoss section for their enjoyment.

http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1142459485

Terminator
Title: Re: oops
Post by: Chas on August 18, 2006, 05:59:52 pm
I can expand on that: in just about all other spas, there is one pump which is plumbed to a T fitting. That T fitting goes to a filter on one side, and a suction fitting on the other. Start the pump with a nice, clean filter, and the suction is distributed evenly between the filter and the suction fitting. Very basic.

BUT

As the filter loads up with dirt, it becomes harder for water to pass through it. So, the suction at the suction fitting begins to climb. Now, remember this is a non-filtered water inlet near your feet in the bottom of the area in which you sit, and it could have a VERY powerful amount of suction if the filter gets really plugged.  If the filter is ignored and becomes clogged, you could have almost the full suction the pump can generate drawing through the suction fitting. Most people do not let the filter go that far, and ETL, UL and the ANSI have all approved this design, so please don't take this as knocking the competition. I am just explaining one of many reasons that HS chose not to go this way.

HS designs their tubs with NO suction fittings. Instead, they put twin filters, one on each side of the T fitting, so that ALL the water must enter through a filter. They even build in a simple temp sensor device which will flash the red power light on the outside of the spa if the filter for the circ pump gets too dirty. This filter gets dirty far faster than the others, so if it's clean, chances are the others are too.

Robert's Hot Tubs, and a few others, use a similar approach with a twist: they put twin suction fittings, but then they run the filter downstream of the pump. So the suction fittings will ALWAYS be balanced, even as the filter loads. And if they plumb their tubs the way I think they do, those suctions are usually mounted on the floor, beneath the benches, out of the way.
Title: Re: oops
Post by: spaman- on August 18, 2006, 06:06:36 pm
Thats pure "unreasonableness" Chas!

I have to admit you have done a wonderful job of explaining that, if there were a bravo or a clap smily you bet your arse I,d be puttin it up.
Title: Re: oops
Post by: Spatech_tuo on August 18, 2006, 06:13:03 pm
Quote
Thats pure "unreasonableness" Chas!

I have to admit you have done a wonderful job of explaining that, if there were a bravo or a clap smily you bet your arse I,d be puttin it up.


 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: oops
Post by: spaman- on August 18, 2006, 06:20:02 pm
Quote
Quote
Thats pure "unreasonableness" Chas!

I have to admit you have done a wonderful job of explaining that, if there were a bravo or a clap smily you bet your arse I,d be puttin it up.


 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Smart ass!