Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Vinny on October 18, 2006, 10:05:18 pm

Title: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Vinny on October 18, 2006, 10:05:18 pm
I was sitting in the tub and the heater came on. I remembered the thread about current draw and if the heater shuts off with pumps on so I tried the tub to see which pumps turn off the heater and the answer is that any 2 pumps (2 larger and 1 smaller therapy pumps) will keep the heater on.

I've had the tub a little over a year and you would have thought I'd find out sooner! :-[
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: gores95 on October 18, 2006, 10:20:40 pm
How do you know if the heater is on when the pumps are on?  Certainly you cannot hear the heater.  I was told that with both pumps and air pumps on a Caldera will allow the heater to also come on.  The only evidence of this was one or two of the jets had noticably hotter water coming out of them.  I guess this is the heater.

Marc
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Vinny on October 18, 2006, 10:30:48 pm
I have a return jet on the side of the foot well and there was really hot water coming out. I also have LEDs that come on to tell what's going on in the tub (heater on, ozone on or suspended, ...). Funny thing is I know the LCD touchpad is the higher end touchpad but now that I wear glasses I know that I wouldn't be able to see what was going on without my glasses if it wasn't for those LEDs!

I do know that my circ pump is also connected to the therapy pumps as there are times I turned the pump on got blasted by hot water. :o ;D
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: lskarp on October 18, 2006, 10:31:14 pm
I can feel teh molten H20 on my feet in mine.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Brewman on October 18, 2006, 11:09:32 pm
We can feel the hot water coming out into the spa, and there is a symbol for heat on the control panel when the heater is on.  (2003 Optima)
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: MarKee on October 19, 2006, 01:58:56 am
Any 220v spa should be able to run the heater and both pumps on high speed and anything else at the same time.  Usually spas that run on 110v will turn the heater off when the pump is on high because the amperage draw becomes too high.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Brewman on October 19, 2006, 07:49:44 am
In order for some Sundance models to allow the heater to come on when all pumps are running full tilt, the owner must have a jumper set on the control board, which requires a 60 amp GFI.  When set to 50 amps, the heater on these spas won't come on if both pumps are running full speed.  
 Don't know if this is unique to just Sundance, though.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: drewstar on October 19, 2006, 09:14:18 am
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In order for some Sundance models to allow the heater to come on when all pumps are running full tilt, the owner must have a jumper set on the control board, which requires a 60 amp GFI.  When set to 50 amps, the heater on these spas won't come on if both pumps are running full speed.  
 Don't know if this is unique to just Sundance, though.


HUh. I thought all 220 tubs could run the heater, and all the pumps full bore without an issue or upgrade/mod.
I know on my 220 Caspian, it's not a problem (that's why I made sure I had a 220 tub).  I can feel the heated water flowing into the tub via the floor drain.  

Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Brewman on October 19, 2006, 11:26:17 am
Not sure why that is with some of the Sundance tubs, maybe their pumps draw a few more amps. going full bore than a standard 50 amp. configuration would allow.  
Guess I've never looked into why.  
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Vinny on October 19, 2006, 02:19:08 pm
I believe it has to do with the number of pumps in the tub.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: drewstar on October 19, 2006, 02:31:29 pm
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I believe it has to do with the number of pumps in the tub.


So a pipe Glen can't run all the pumps and heater at once?
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Brewman on October 19, 2006, 02:50:54 pm
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I believe it has to do with the number of pumps in the tub.

My Optima has 2 pumps.  Plus a blower and a small circ. pump.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: tony on October 19, 2006, 03:19:44 pm
You also have to calculate in the size (draw) of the heater.  Some are larger than others.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Vinny on October 19, 2006, 04:45:37 pm
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I believe it has to do with the number of pumps in the tub.

My Optima has 2 pumps.  Plus a blower and a small circ. pump.

You're running at 60 Amps though, mine is running at 50 Amps.

I guess I should have said it has to do with pumps and Amps.

The 2004 Piper can run with 4 pump running and heater going ... in 2004 all their spas ran on 50 amps, maybe it's different today.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: windsurfdog on October 20, 2006, 09:37:35 am
My LSX has a circ pump, 2-2speed therapy pumps and 1-1speed therapy pump running on a 50 amp circuit.  The heater has an LCD indicator on the control panel.  The heater only shuts off if both 2 speed pumps are running on high speed AND the 1 speed pump is running....any other combination allows the heater to run including either 1 of the 2-speed motors running on low speed.  I have noticed no heat loss when running high speed on both 2 speeds and running the single speed motors.....2 main reasons for this.....
1.  I live in Florida so it doesn't get below 40 very often
2.  The heat from the motors actually does contribute to heating the water
As I said, living in Florida doesn't test the heat loss very much but I have been in the tub with temps in the 30's with all pumps on high with no noticeable drop in temp.
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: hot tub Frank on October 20, 2006, 04:34:34 pm
My 7 year old tub can do that 2 pumps heater and a blower.
Guess I got lucky> :D ;D :D ;D :D
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Chas on October 21, 2006, 11:38:34 am
I know some HotSpring models have larger pumps - so they switched to a 4000 watt heater to allow all systems to run at the same time as needed and still only require a 50A service.

 8-)
Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Wisoki on October 21, 2006, 05:07:39 pm
It's an amperage issue, not a voltage issue. Theoreticaly, you could have a 220v 15a hot tub. this spa will not run a single 220v 2 speed motor on high speed with the heater onsince there is not enough amperage to operate both. Jacuzzis 2 speed motor draws 11 amps on high speed, most circuit breakers will trip when load exceedes 85% of the rated amperage, so the heater would become disabled to allow for jete function in this hypothetical spa.

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In order for some Sundance models to allow the heater to come on when all pumps are running full tilt, the owner must have a jumper set on the control board, which requires a 60 amp GFI.  When set to 50 amps, the heater on these spas won't come on if both pumps are running full speed.  
 Don't know if this is unique to just Sundance, though.


HUh. I thought all 220 tubs could run the heater, and all the pumps full bore without an issue or upgrade/mod.
I know on my 220 Caspian, it's not a problem (that's why I made sure I had a 220 tub).  I can feel the heated water flowing into the tub via the floor drain.  

Title: Re: Hey I found out something new tonight ...
Post by: Wisoki on October 21, 2006, 05:19:01 pm
Well, this begs the question...How many horse power did they TELL you the spa was running? Since electric motor horse power is calculated, ((amp x volts = watts) x .57) / 746 = hp. This true and factual mathematical calculation should blow a big fat hole in all those claims of 5 hp motors!

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You're running at 60 Amps though, mine is running at 50 Amps.

I guess I should have said it has to do with pumps and Amps.

The 2004 Piper can run with 4 pump running and heater going ... in 2004 all their spas ran on 50 amps, maybe it's different today.