Explanation of equipment

[dshuster]

I have a 30k in ground pool with a filter pump, polaris cleaner pump and de filter which is located down at the bottom of the pool. I also have a spa blower located next to the house and am not sure what the valves next to the spa blower do. I am attaching pictures and was wondering if someone could explain what they do. I spoke to the pool guy and he is not familiar with it.

I am attaching pictures so you can see my setup.

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

Looks like a couple of light junction boxes there too.

Assuming that the piping with the valves are connected to the blower, the first valve is just a block valve. Most likely to shut off the flow if the blower needs to be removed from the plumbing. The 3-way valve is to select between two sets of jets most likely. Maybe each half of the spa is plumbed separately.

Are there any markings on the piping anywhere?
Have you started the blower and tried switching the 3-way valve from one side to the other to see what happens?

 

[dshuster]

Bama,

Thanks for the quick reply. I am going to try moving the valves when I get home and see what they do. You brought up that you see light junction boxes. My light in the spa does not work and I removed it which is a spa brite light 120v. I tried to use a volt meter and did not get anything coming out of it.

Can you give me an idea on how to troubleshoot it?

Also, I have a light in the pool which works. Would they be connected to the same circuit?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

Have you found the breakers for the lights? A lot of times the pool and spa lights will be on the same breaker, but not always.

The first thing to do is see if you can find the breakers for them and see if they're on the same or separate circuits.

 

[dshuster]

I found the breaker to the pool light but cannot tell if its the same breaker for the spa light. Any ideas about how to tell where the wiring from the spa light is going?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

If there's only one breaker, both lights are probably on it. You can open the junction boxes and see if they have power to them. If one does and one doesn't then move to the switches. Just keep moving back through the circuit until you find power.

 

[dshuster]

Inside my house I have a breaker that turns off the power to the jandy subpanel control box outside. I also have a another breaker inside the house labeled spa with a test button. I thought all the breakers would be outside to control the equipment. Would do you think the spa breaker inside the house does?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

It could be the light. Is it set or tripped? It's obviously a gfci.

 

[dshuster]

The breaker is set. I have 2 gfci outlets connected to the Jandy subpanel control box outside. One of the gfci is working and the other is not which I will replace this weekend. I am assuming that both my pool light and spa light are on the same circuit. If I am not getting any voltage on the spa light, I would have thought that the pool light would not be working either.

Also, would you know the size of the connectors that connect to the bottom of the Jandy subpanel control box outside? Some of the them are cracked and I wanted to replace them. I bought a 1/2" but think it is too small. I do not want to keep going back and forth to the store. Do you think it is a 3/4" or 1"? I am attaching photos.

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

That looks like 3/4".

You could have a bad switch or a loose connection somewhere.

 

[dshuster]

So back to the valves. Here are some more pictures. Your explanation to the valves made sense earlier until I removed the hostas and noticed another valve right under the blower. I am assuming this valve is for servicing the blower. What do you think the other two valves do?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

Seeing the "big picture" I revise my earlier guess! I assume that the venturi under the 2-way valve is for the injection system that's sitting next to it. It looks like the ports are plugged. So the valve right above it should remain open all the time (it is now). The 3-way valve may be for selecting between pool and spa returns.

 

[dshuster]

What is a venturi and why would it be disconnected? Should I have it hooked back up?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

See that tapered thing right under the 2-way valve with the tag on it? That's a venturi. I'm thinking that whatever was hooked to it is no longer being used. I wouldn't worry about hooking it back up until you're a lot more familiar with the rest of the equipment.

 

[dshuster]

Would you have the pool company take away the antho chloro bucket? Is it worth anything and can I use it later or should I just trash that piece? I do not want to throw away something that I can use later but I also have small kids, 2 and 4 years old and do not want them to get into something that could be dangerous for them.

Thanks

 

[Bama Rambler]

If they're willing to it might be a good idea. I doubt you'll ever use it.