Spa not heating properly in manual mode.

[Mynameisnate]

Hi everyone,

I have a pentair system intellitouch i9+3 with a heater and my remote is on the fritz. I can get it to do just about everything except run the spa properly. Here's what I do that isn't working

1. Switch system to service mode on the panel
2. Switch valves to spa on the panel
3. Wait for the valve to swing from pool to spa position
4. Turn on filter pump on equipment panel
5. Turn on pump on pump panel to highest rpm (3450)
6. Turn on heater on equipment panel
7. heater turns on and begins to blow hot. Heater indicates it's set to 104F
8. Turn on jets to spa on equipment panel.

I don't know what else I should be doing but I appreciate the help. A new remote isn't in the cards right now and we'd like to be in the pool & spa.

Thanks,
Nate

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nate,

Tell us what is not working? Sounds like your spillover stops, the pump is running, the heater is running, what is not working the way you want?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mynameisnate]

@Jimrahbe, sorry I wasn't clear- it stops increasing in heat. It maxes out around 75deg and doesn't get warmer even though the heater indicates it's going full out at 104F

 

[Mynameisnate]

Nate,

Tell us what is not working? Sounds like your spillover stops, the pump is running, the heater is running, what is not working the way you want?

Thanks,

Jim R.

@Jimrahbe The spillover does NOT stop! How do I stop the spillover? Sounds like there is one more step somewhere.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nate,

When you switch between the Pool mode and Spa mode, both the Intake valve and Return valve need to move 180 degrees.

Basically, the pump sucks water from only the Spa and returns all the water to only the Spa.

When you put the system into the Spa mode, do both of your automated valve move???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mynameisnate]

Nate,

When you switch between the Pool mode and Spa mode, both the Intake valve and Return valve need to move 180 degrees.

Basically, the pump sucks water from only the Spa and returns all the water to only the Spa.

When you put the system into the Spa mode, do both of your automated valve move???

Thanks,

Jim R.

no, only 1 valve moves! how do I actuate the other valve?

 

[ajw22]

Both your return and suction valve should swing.

Look at your return actuator and valve and see if that moves when you switch between POOL and SPA modes.

 

[ajw22]

Your heater maxing out at 75F is a separate problem.

Check the thermal regulator and maybe the bypass valve.

Might also be a bad thermistor - what does the water temp on the heater control panel reasd versus the water temp on your IntelliTouch and what is the heater spa setpoint?

What model heater do you have?

Pentair MasterTemp Heaters - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nate,

You can try to use the little toggle switch on the actuator.

But... they both should move at the same time. Is the Spa light on your panel on?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mynameisnate]

Spa light turns on at the panel and one actuator moves. This is the valve that flows into the main pump so I assume the intake is not switch from pool to spa and is just continually pumping pool water through the heater into the spa and out the spillway. The heater is fine, heating at 104, it's just showing the water temp coming out stays low. I'm not sure which way I want to actuate my intake valve- there's a T junction that then flows into the pump and I don't know which side is the pool and which is the spa. Can I turn the plastic handle on top and simply swing the valve? Take it apart and reset the position? I replaced the o-rings last week so I think I must have put it in the wrong way, I just don''t know which way is right.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nate,

The valve only has two positions, full one way or full the other way. Just turn it 180 degrees.

If you don't have Pentair actuators, you should be able to pull up on the handle and move it manually.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

The valve only has two positions, full one way or full the other way. Just turn it 180 degrees.

Make the valve turn using the toggle switch.

If it doesn't turn using the toggle switch then you have other problems

Post pics of your equipment pad and valves.

Valve Actuators. - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mynameisnate]

Make the valve turn using the toggle switch.

If it doesn't turn using the toggle switch then you have other problems

Post pics of your equipment pad and valves.

Valve Actuators. - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I switched the intake with the manual switch on the valve and that worked. I'm still not sure why the panel didn't switch the intake but t the kids are in the spa so I'm gonna call it good enough for now

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nate,

The valve has three positions... On -Off -On.. It is possible that when you worked on the valve before you accidentally set the toggle to the center Off position.

Jim R.

 

[Mynameisnate]

Nate,

The valve has three positions... On -Off -On.. It is possible that when you worked on the valve before you accidentally set the toggle to the center Off position.

Jim R.

I think that's exactly what I did. Thanks for sharing your experience.