Spa Booster Jets Not Boosting

[ShallowWater]

My booster jets are not boosting. I had the plumber who plumbed the pool come out last week. He drained the spa and removed the eyes and jets with a socket and extension, cleaning out debris, mud and glue. They worked great when he left but when I tested them again, not so much. Did more debris get kicked loose once the jets ran great and now the jets are clogged again needing to be flushed out again?

 

[HermanTX]

It is easy enough to remove the jets if you have a socket, extension and a t-bar. You do not need to drain the spa unless you wish to work in dry environment. you mention booster jets. Do you have 2 separate jets in the spa where one is connected to main filter pump and the other is connected to a dedicated pump? Are both clogged?

 

[ShallowWater]

It is easy enough to remove the jets if you have a socket, extension and a t-bar. You do not need to drain the spa unless you wish to work in dry environment. you mention booster jets. Do you have 2 separate jets in the spa where one is connected to main filter pump and the other is connected to a dedicated pump? Are both clogged?

Can you explain the t-bar?

I will just heat the spa!

There's several jets around the spa but yes, there's the main pump and an auxiliary booster pump. The auxiliary pump jets are the ones clogged.

 

[HermanTX]

Can you explain the t-bar?

It is just a manual wrench that attaches to the socket - this avoids using a rachet wrench that may corrode if you submerge it.

 

[ShallowWater]

It is just a manual wrench that attaches to the socket - this avoids using a rachet wrench that may corrode if you submerge it.
View attachment 469807

Oh Cool. I thought it was something special!

 

[ShallowWater]

Status Update:

I called my plumber and he had me do the following:

1. Turn the pump intake valve to about 25% closed
2. Turn on the pump and let it prime then go to 3450RPM
3. Observe the flow at the jets (NICE flow now with lots of bubbles!)
4. Fully open the valve (NICE flow continues)

He's not sure why this happens sometimes. Any thoughts?

Are the inlets for the air openings too low?
Is the Hartford Loop getting "hydro-locked"?
Other ideas?

 

[HermanTX]

Interesting. Can you snap a picture of the intake valve that you close to 25%. Is the pump being feed with any other flow or just this plumbing from the spa drain that is 25% closed?
Also, snap picture of the inlets for the air openings.

 

[ShallowWater]

Interesting. Can you snap a picture of the intake valve that you close to 25%. Is the pump being feed with any other flow or just this plumbing from the spa drain that is 25% closed?
Also, snap picture of the inlets for the air openings.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The plumber installed this valve during the build and partially closing it gets the pump to stop cavitating in a few seconds then it can be open 100%. It pumps from the spa drains only.