Beachcomber Leap 540 - Hush Pump humming

[Covey]

We recently bought a used 2015 Beachcomber Leap 540. All was going well except that on rare occasions while the jets were on max, they would slow down briefly (1-2 seconds max).

Last night we went out and the hot tub was lower in temperature. Jets worked, but on high were not quite as powerful. I turned them off and noticed a humming coming from the hush pump (located behind the main pump). Here is a video of the location and noise coming from that pump: New video by Andrew Mueller. I did shut power off to the hot tub so I wouldn't fry the motor.

What is the likely issue here? The hot tub was running fine for about a month (except for the low flow through the jets that happened infrequently).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Covey]

sorry, somehow I posted this in the wrong area I thought I was under pumps, but was looking at too many threads and apparently got lost. Not sure how to move the thread to the correct area.

 

[RDspaguy]

Sounds like a locked rotor or bad capacitor.

 

[Covey]

Sounds like a locked rotor or bad capacitor.

I can spin the motor with a screwdriver pretty easily, so doesn't seem locked at least. I do have a motor on its way, so I can do a replacement and then maybe find a capacitor to replace in the old motor to havfe a backup. At least that is my plan for now.

 

[RDspaguy]

If you can spin it while it's humming and it starts it's definitely a capacitor.

 

[Covey]

If you can spin it while it's humming and it starts it's definitely a capacitor.

I could spin it, but still just hums. Not much room, so I was spinning it rather slowly if that matters - but wasn't a whole lot of friction like you might get spinning a stuck motor on a garbage disposal.

 

[JamesW]

Pull the capacitor to see what it looks like.

Which direction are you turning the rotor?

 

[Covey]

Pull the capacitor to see what it looks like.

Which direction are you turning the rotor?

Will have to pull the main motor out first (this one has 2 motors). If looking at the back, I was turning it clockwise.

 

[Covey]

I ended up pulling the main motor out, then pulling out the "hush pump". I replaced that pump entirely and put it all back together. Working well as of now. Something I'm not quite sure of is why the jets do not feel as powerful as they previously did. This has nothing to do with the new pump, I don't think. I think the main pump is the only one responsible for this. First Button Press: Low jets, Second Button Press: High jets. That is working properly. The jets are just less powerful after the swap.

 

[RDspaguy]

Dirty filters can cause this.
The diverter valve will vary pressures at each section of jets.
Each jet is usually individually adjustable at the face or nozzle.
Air controls allow air to mix with the water making the jets feel more powerful.
Slice valves can vibrate partly closed.
Scale in the fitting can reduce both water and airflow.
Memory can be deceiving.
Or there is the very slim chance that you have some blockage in the pipes.

 

[Covey]

Dirty filters can cause this.
The diverter valve will vary pressures at each section of jets.
Each jet is usually individually adjustable at the face or nozzle.
Air controls allow air to mix with the water making the jets feel more powerful.
Slice valves can vibrate partly closed.
Scale in the fitting can reduce both water and airflow.
Memory can be deceiving.
Or there is the very slim chance that you have some blockage in the pipes.

Thank you - will take a look at these. I also have to find a new o-ring or seal or whatever you call the gasket on the 1 1/2" pipi collar leading into the primary pump. It is leaking very slightly no matter how hard I tighten it down.