SPA water level

[gpark]

We have a new variable speed pump as well as updated automation system. I run my spa for about 45 min each day to get a little circulation. Honestly I do not "watch" the spa but the other day I noticed the water level WAY down during this cycle time. I turned off the spa as I was unsure what was going on.

I run the pump at 3200 RPM during the SPA time, but curious if that is too low? Or is there something else I'm missing when I switch to spa mode?

Thanks for any ideas!
Greg

 

[Jimrahbe]

Greg,

Welcome to TFP... a great place to find all your answers to "Has my "Spring" sprung a leak?" questions....

Just so that we are clear, I assume you have a spillover Spa.. When you run it for your 45 minute circulation period you should be in the Spillover Mode and not the Spa mode. The Spillover mode adds water, the Spa mode just recirculates the same water.

I suspect that your Spa leaks down to just below the Jets, when the pump is off, because of a bad or dirty check valve in the return plumbing. The check valve is there just to prevent the Spa water from draining back into the pool.

If the water in the Spa is low, running in the Spa mode will not add any water.

The speed of the pump really has nothing to do with the water level in the Spa.

If you can provide more info on what automation system you have and a picture of your equipment pad, you might get some better answers..

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[gpark]

Thanks, and yes this is a spill over spa although it is actually level with the pool Most pools here have the spa a good foot above the pool level. So our is more of a "spill into" spa.

I am actually just trying to circulate the spa water so not trying to add water. Thought I was just changing the valves from circulating through the pool to circulating through the spa.

I did not let the water level fall below the jets as I turned off the spa mode before the water was down that far. The check valve should be clean as all the equipment was just replaced although maybe something is not flowing properly there. I'll check that.



The automation is the iAqualink 2. This is was a replacement of our older Jandy push button RS4 with the new Network Interface and updated control board to replace the older RS4 interface. No equipment pad any more as all my settings are controlled through the web now.

Greg

 

[Dodger]

In Spa mode, your Intake and Return valves should rotate to 100% open to Spa. It sounds like you may be taking in more water at the Intake valve then you are sending back at the Return valve. This can happen when the diverter in the Return valve is not fully covering the return to the pool, either because it is failing or because someone set the actuator to stop short of closing all the way.

One quick test you can do is feel at the pool return jets while it is in Spa mode and see if there is any noticeable water coming into the pool too. If yes, then that is where the water is going instead of 100% back to your spa.

 

[gpark]

I will double check this. I do remember us playing with the valves while rebuilding the equipment so maybe we did not set them back correctly. They look fine but I'll pull the handles off to make sure we did not miss align them.

 

[gpark]

This has not happened since the one time I noticed the other day. I am beginning to think the valves may have been slightly stuck or may not have fully switched from pool mode to spa mode. Defintly something for me to watch going forward. Thanks all for the suggestions! This has been helpful and informative.