Spa/Pool integrated issue with actuators works but spa mode doesn't return water

[vadik24]

Hello,

After my intake actuator wire from some animal, splicing them caused my pool issue with actuators both working but some reason water not returning to spa when in spa mode. When I set to spa mode and manually set intake actuator to pool side, the water does come out to spa. Is there something wrong with door under actuator or is actuator is broken? Pool guy said he can replace actuator for $300 but I'm worry that is not the issue. Any one else had experience where actuators does the work but water does not return to spa unless I manually switch intake actuator to pool pipe? I know it's something wrong with intake valve actuator area.

 

[ajw22]

What automation system do you have controlling the actuators?

Post pics of your equipment pad.

Post pics of your actuators in POOL mode and SPA mode.

How do you manually set intake actuator to pool side?

 

[Jimrahbe]

24,

I'm puzzled.. The Intake valve does not have anything to do with where the water goes after the pump, that is controlled by the Return valve.

If the Intake valve were bad, and no water was flowing, your pump would instantly run out of water.

Like Allen, I'd like to see pics of your valves in the Spa Mode and then again in the Pool Mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[vadik24]

What automation system do you have controlling the actuators?

Post pics of your equipment pad.

Post pics of your actuators in POOL mode and SPA mode.

How do you manually set intake actuator to pool side?

IAquaLink and Jandy rs30, installed last month.

Sorry I don’t have pic that I’m outside state but I do know that Intake actuator set off on spa pipe and return actuator is fully open to have spa water fall.

When I set to spa mode, both actuators turns where intake actuator turn to have pool pipe off and and return actuator to have pool pipe off So both pointing to spa pipe only and water doesn’t return when looking on water. But looking at clear glass next to pump shows water little bubbling.


When I set spa mode and manually turn intake actuator to set spa pipe off, the water does flow to spa and over waterfall.

 

[vadik24]

24,

I'm puzzled.. The Intake valve does not have anything to do with where the water goes after the pump, that is controlled by the Return valve.

If the Intake valve were bad, and no water was flowing, your pump would instantly run out of water.

Like Allen, I'd like to see pics of your valves in the Spa Mode and then again in the Pool Mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Isn’t intake actuator means water coming in from pool or spa pipe then goes through intake actuator then pump system? I have only two actuator, one that goes in and other goes out.

 

[Jimrahbe]

24,

Just to make sure we are both on the same page, let's look at how the Spa and Pool modes are supposed to work..

In the Spa mode, the Intake valve is set to suck all the water from the spa drain, through the pump and filter and back through the Return valve and all the water goes back to the Spa. In this mode there is no overflow from the spa and into the pool.

In the Pool mode, the Intake valve is set to suck all the water from the pool (Skimmer and Main Drain), through the pump and filter and back through the Return valve. In your case, the Return valve should be set to send most of the water to the Pool return lines and to also send a little water back to the Spa. The little water going to the Spa, will cause the spa to fill up and overflow into the pool.

When you get back to the pool, you need to show us pics of the system in the Pool mode and then pics of the system in the Spa mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[vadik24]

24,

Just to make sure we are both on the same page, let's look at how the Spa and Pool modes are supposed to work..

In the Spa mode, the Intake valve is set to suck all the water from the spa drain, through the pump and filter and back through the Return valve and all the water goes back to the Spa. In this mode there is no overflow from the spa and into the pool.

In the Pool mode, the Intake valve is set to suck all the water from the pool (Skimmer and Main Drain), through the pump and filter and back through the Return valve. In your case, the Return valve should be set to send most of the water to the Pool return lines and to also send a little water back to the Spa. The little water going to the Spa, will cause the spa to fill up and overflow into the pool.

When you get back to the pool, you need to show us pics of the system in the Pool mode and then pics of the system in the Spa mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Yep that’s exactly what’s it’s doing. I’m just wondering is it possible that actuator does what it’s suppose to do but in valve, the door or whatever it called that you can manually turn doesn’t actually turned?
My return actuators got cut 2 times and got it fixed but on first cut on intake valve, the water doesn’t return on spa when in spa mode. The animals chewed my wires and I’m installing blink camera to find out what kind of animal chewed my wire 3 times last month.

 

[ajw22]

I’m just wondering is it possible that actuator does what it’s suppose to do but in valve, the door or whatever it called that you can manually turn doesn’t actually turned?

The diverter is a simple one piece assembly as seen below.

The only reason the diverter will not turn is if the stem has cracked so the actuator is turning the broken stem and not the diverter. We have seen that happen although it is rare.

You can pull the actuator off and open the diverter and examine it and see if anything is cracked internally.

If the pump is running then the water has to be returning someplace. If not returning to the spa where is the water going?

How does your filter PSI gauge change between POOL and SPA modes and when you change the valve manually?

You have not told me how you change the valve manually?

 

[vadik24]

The diverter is a simple one piece assembly as seen below.

The only reason the diverter will not turn is if the stem has cracked so the actuator is turning the broken stem and not the diverter. We have seen that happen although it is rare.

You can pull the actuator off and open the diverter and examine it and see if anything is cracked internally.

If the pump is running then the water has to be returning someplace. If not returning to the spa where is the water going?

How does your filter PSI gauge change between POOL and SPA modes and when you change the valve manually?

You have not told me how you change the valve manually?

Yeah I thought so that actuator is broken and not using diverter to turn and my neighbor said psi gauge is hard to read due to it's old and plastic cover turned yellow.

I use toggle that exist under Jandy Actuator. It turns both side on both actuators.

Here is how valve currently work:
1. pool mode, intake valve closed on spa, return valve open on all, no issue and water comes out to pool and spa waterfall
2. spa mode, intake valve closed on pool, return valve closed on pool, pump glass shows water splashing or bubbling, water barely return to spa
3. spa mode, intake valve closed on spa(used manually toggle switch), return valve closed on pool, spa is working high waterfall.

So I know return valve is working but intake vale something is off. What stem looks like? is it replaceable or that's require actuator replace?

 

[ajw22]

What stem looks like? is it replaceable or that's require actuator replace?

Let's be clear - the diverter valve and the actuator are two separate parts. The actuator sits on top of the valve and turns the stem.

The diverter is the only part in the valve other then a few O rings. If you open up the valve replace the O rings.

 

[proavia]

I believe there is some confusion as to what the function of spa mode is.....

In spa mode, no water should flow from the spa to the pool. Water is taken from the spa, then goes through the pump, filter and heater, and the gets returned to the spa. There should be no water flowing from the spa to the pool. Spa mode is intended to circulate water in the spa only. You don't want water flowing from the spa to the pool as you would be losing heated water to the pool.

In pool mode, water is taken from the pool and returned to the pool - possibly with a portion being return to the spa, allowing water to flow over the spillway into the pool.

With most automation, there is also a mode called 'spillway' which allows some water to spill from the spa into the pool. This mode allows for timer controlled use of the spillway instead of always on spillway anytime the pool is in pool mode.

We need to see better pictures of you equipment pad and system.

 

[ajw22]

2. spa mode, intake valve closed on pool, return valve closed on pool, pump glass shows water splashing or bubbling, water barely return to spa

This sounds to me like you have a blockage in your spa suction line. Nothing wrong with the diverter valve.

3. spa mode, intake valve closed on spa(used manually toggle switch), return valve closed on pool, spa is working high waterfall.

This is not spa mode. This is SPILLOVER mode with water being suctioned from the POOL and returned to the SPA which then spillsover to the pool.

 

[ajw22]

my neighbor said psi gauge is hard to read due to it's old and plastic cover turned yellow.

Is this your pool or your neighbors?

Replace the PSI gauge. It is an important diagnostic tool.

 

[vadik24]

Let's be clear - the diverter valve and the actuator are two separate parts. The actuator sits on top of the valve and turns the stem.

The diverter is the only part in the valve other then a few O rings. If you open up the valve replace the O rings.

So you are saying the O ring got ripped and need to replace? I'm guessing O ring is the one helps grip and turn? I thought O ring is to prevent from leak. Is O ring is same as stem? Also is it small O ring or Big O ring?

 

[ajw22]

So you are saying the O ring got ripped and need to replace?

Nope, never said that.

I'm guessing O ring is the one helps grip and turn?

Grip what? Small O rings prevent leaks through the stem.

I thought O ring is to prevent from leak. Is O ring is same as stem? Also is it small O ring or Big O ring?

Small O rings seal the stem.

Big O ring seals around the cover.

 

[vadik24]

We found the solution. There is spa pipe opened that was suppose to connect to intake valve. Oh well glad the issue was found and able to resolve by replacing pipe or valve. Cost $507 to repair it according to Pool Technician guy.