Tripping GFCI

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D

davyboy

0
Nov 4, 2016
8
Burlington
Hi everyone. I'm new here and new to hot tub ownership. House I got back in June had an older model (approx 2001) Maax Spa Atlantis SE. It's got a Gecko S class pack with a 4hp 2 speed motor and a circ pump.

I've been struggling to get the thing up and running since we moved in and I'm out of ideas. I've replaced all 3 major components... Pump, circ pump and control pack but the GFCI keeps tripping.

After replacing the circ pump the tub ran for about 2 hours, heating up. Thought I finally cracked it... Until it tripped. Now the topside controls don't even light up when resetting it.

What's wrong with my tub? It's basically all new at this point and I'm bummed out that it's still tripping.

Appreciate your thoughts! Cheers
 
:wave: Welcome to TFP!!!

Not sure I will be able to help, but figured I would ask some questions.

Where is the GFCI that is tripping? Is it on the cord? Is it on an exterior outlet GFCI? Is it on a circuit breaker GFCI? Are more than one being used?
 
Hi! Thanks for the quick reply.

GFCI is on the main panel inside the house. No outside panel.. wasn't required back when the tub was originally installed. It's a 40amp GFCI. Tub is simple, with just the circ pump and heater running should have been no more 20amps drawn.
 
Tub is wired directly to the GFCI.

Not exactly sure if it's a GFCI trip or full trip... Seems to go the whole way and the test button lights up red when it trips... That mean it's GFCI? It's a stablok Federal Pioneer breaker if that makes a difference.
 
How old is the house? Did a licensed electrician install the breaker?

Have you had an electrician examine the FP panel?
It may be that the GFCI and pump motor don't like each other. Are you saying that the breaker will reset but the control panel won't light up?

Problems with FP panels are well known. I would have a licensed electrician look at the panel.
 

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Hi there, thanks for the replies.

House is about 20y/o. Our house inspector looked at the panel, but didn't have any immediate concerns. I do plan on having the panel looked at closer but the problem seems to have shifted.

Since installing the circ pump yesterday and after it ran and started heating up for about 2 hours it tripped... But this time it seems to have broken the top side controls. I no longer get lights/buttons. The pump seems to spin up and the breaker doesn't trip, but I turn if off now.

Is there a fuse that would break the top side controls?

I replaced the equipment that was there with the same equipment, including the 240v circulation pump. I've read online that the Gecko S class supports a 120v circ pump. It doesn't mention 240. The pack itself shows how to wire for 240 circ pump.. is that based on the input or the pump?

I tried unplugging the pumps and the top side still doesn't light up. Have I broken a 1week old spa pack? Everything is wired to spec and nothing appears damaged.

Thanks again
 
Seems to me you have some type of cable or breaker problem or both. Based on that article above, my suspicion would be the breaker is over heating or failing/failed with no power to top side. Do you have an IR gun, you could measure the temp at the breaker with no load and with load if you can get the spa to respond. A clamp on amp meter would give you a good look at power coming from the panel and what your equipment is drawing.

Start with the power at the tub. What voltage do you have coming in on each leg? Seems like you're handy so start there but please be careful.
 
In my experience, breakers can wear out - especially if they are tripped repeatedly, and if they run a close to full load - which I imagine a hot tub w/ electrical heater does. If you had a bad heater/spa control that tripped the breaker many times, I would try replacing the breaker.
 
First, I would have a licensed residential electrician look at any FP panel that is 20 years old.

Second, I would replace the old GFCI breaker with a new GFCI breaker. What you are describing does not sound like a GFCI trip, it sounds like something is overheating. The tests suggested above will tell you something if you have the equipment and the skill to conduct and interpret the tests.

Third, yes, depending on the spa pac you have there very likely is a fuse in there that blew. Look at the owners manual or tell us the make and model of the spa pac. You should also recheck your wiring. It is possible that even though you though you got the wiring correct you missed something so go back and look again.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to have my uncle, a licensed electrician, come out and have a look at everything and install a new GFCI outside per current code. Will look into updating the panel as well.

Talked to the spa equipment dealer who pointed me to the fuse that would cause the issue. Will inspect that tonight and wait for my uncle before doing any more.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and advice. I'll update again once I have something to share!

Cheers
David
 
Good news.. it was the transformer fuse that blew and my top side controls are back. Luckily I had a spare from my old spa pack so that was an easy swap.

Uncle is coming out on Friday to inspect/update the electrical so hopefully that will mark the end of my hot tub woes!

Thanks again
 
davyboy said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to have my uncle, a licensed electrician, come out and have a look at everything and install a new GFCI outside per current code. Will look into updating the panel as well.

Talked to the spa equipment dealer who pointed me to the fuse that would cause the issue. Will inspect that tonight and wait for my uncle before doing any more.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and advice. I'll update again once I have something to share!

Cheers
David
Click to expand...
GFCI spa breakers are expensive so what I did was install the breaker in the main panel with a disconnect outside within view from the tub. Disconnects are cheap to replace.
 
Hi everyone!

If anyone is interested, my uncle came out and installed a new GFCI outside, and replaced the old breaker on the main panel with a regular one.

Don't want to jinx it, but so far so good about 8 hours later. Tub is up around 90 degrees now and still running.

Uncle noticed the red wire into the old GFCI was loose which could have been causing the issues. Feel better having the proper shut off outside now regardless.

Also regarding the FP Stablok panel, he said it still looks OK but would recommend looking at replacing within the next year or so. No signs of any damage yet and it's the "newer" breakers, not the *really* bad ones. So I'll be doing that.

Anyhoo.. just thought I'd give this thread some conclusion in case anyone has similar issues.

Now to figure out how to maintain the water....

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and replies!
 
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