I just replaced the spa pack on my hot tub but missed changing the voltage on the blower from 240 to 120. I did turn it on while on 240. I've since fixed it but now the blower motor isn't working. It is a max air blower from air supply of the future. Am I in for a new motor or is it more likely that I just fried the start capacitor?
120v spa blower motor - accidentally booked up to 240
- Thread starter carveitup
- Start date
I asked my husband, who is an expert on motors, transformers, and electrical stuff in general.
His reply was that if the power was on for a minute or more (ballpark, of course), chances are good that the motor windings are toast -- the insulation on the wire gets too hot and starts to disintegrate. It shouldn't be too hard to open the unit up enough to look at the windings -- if you see blackened areas and crumbling insulation that would tell you something. I've found that your nose can also help guide you to areas of damage after an event like this (burnt electrical components stink).
Shorter exposure to 240 might have first hit support components, such as a starting capacitor, if there is one in this device. DH said that fan motors often don't have a starting cap, but that a blower that bubbles air through water might. His opinion was that it is "very easy" to take out the cap and test its health with a meter. Perhaps not quite so trivially easy if you've never done this procedure before, I would guess.
In any case, probably worth your while to look inside, if you haven't done so yet.
His reply was that if the power was on for a minute or more (ballpark, of course), chances are good that the motor windings are toast -- the insulation on the wire gets too hot and starts to disintegrate. It shouldn't be too hard to open the unit up enough to look at the windings -- if you see blackened areas and crumbling insulation that would tell you something. I've found that your nose can also help guide you to areas of damage after an event like this (burnt electrical components stink).
Shorter exposure to 240 might have first hit support components, such as a starting capacitor, if there is one in this device. DH said that fan motors often don't have a starting cap, but that a blower that bubbles air through water might. His opinion was that it is "very easy" to take out the cap and test its health with a meter. Perhaps not quite so trivially easy if you've never done this procedure before, I would guess.
In any case, probably worth your while to look inside, if you haven't done so yet.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,823
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Did it trip the breaker when you turned in on? It should have and should have protected the windings. That may also be why it is not turning on now.
Thanks for the detailed responses. It didn't trip the breaker and doesn't smell toasty and I can still hear the relay click but it isn't working. I unhooked it and I think I'm just going to leave it out for the time being.