HELP! Spa drained in spa mode

New pump Guy

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2023
47
SF, California
I just tried to turn my heater on/spa mode, the heater never came on and the spa drained....I'm guessing it filled the heater??? Why did it do this and how do I drain the water in the heater if that's where it went? Or would it if went back into the pool?
 
I just tried to turn my heater on/spa mode, the heater never came on and the spa drained....I'm guessing it filled the heater??? Why did it do this and how do I drain the water in the heater if that's where it went? Or would it if went back into the pool?
The return valve was either not turned to spa, or an actuator, if you have automation failed or was turned off. The water is not in the heater, it went to the main pool. Heaters have about 2-3 gallons at most in them at any one time, probably less. The water just goes in one pipe and out the other continuously when the pump is running.
Worst case, there is a leak in the spa return line, but not the most likely cause.
 
Guy,

In the spa mode, water is sucked out of the spa, through the filter and heater and should all be returned to the spa..

As pointed out above, the water is not returning to the spa, most likely because your Return valve is not being set correctly.

Do you have an automation system??

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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If you have an suction valve actuator, check the switch on the bottom. It might be in the center position which is off.
 
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Hello, I just had a new VSP installed, I have the old jandy rs-6 automation which wouldn't communicate with the new pump so I had a speed set controller installed with the pump so it runs independently. I haven't tried to run the spa mode since this pump was installed
 
Water is returning to the pool instead of the spa. It's either a return valve issue, or depending how your pool is plumbed, a check valve issue. Does your system have a fitting in the pressure side plumbing with a clear lid and 8 (usually) screws?
If so, the internal flap may have failed, allowing water to escape to the pool return plumbing.
 

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I see two actuators.

Red is the suction actuator.

Green is the return actuator.

Use the toggle switch and test if the RETURN actuator turns.

IMG_1101.jpeg
 
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So I just found the red(suction side actuator) toggle it's underneath. I hit the toggle and it rotated like it should. My question is, if that toggle is switched can it cause the problem I mentioned above? I had a new pump installed two months ago so the installer may of switched it by accident
 
Examine the check valve to the right of the return actuator.
 

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