One thing to try is to remove all the jet inserts and then run the pump in spa mode. This will flush the lines of debris.
Weak Spa Jets & Air Blower Shutting Off?!?!?
- Thread starter atxjmy512
- Start date
have been testing this morning... slowly increasing the RPMs in Spa Mode to see where the pressure becomes too great for the blower and overheats it... I'm currently at 2800 rpm (started at 2400) and hasn't overheated yet. When i was experiencing this issue yesterday, I was running at 3200 to try to address the weak jets.
There's a small chance that it was sun driven too - this was late afternoon and my equipment gets hit by full Texas sun during the hottest part of the day (we're currently over 90F).
- Jul 21, 2013
- 47,209
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Before you drill too many holes, make sure the water lines are clear of debris. This can cause back pressure in the air lines as well.
BTW, you are better off cutting the air pipe and installing a three way valve to adjust the air flow.
3 strongly, and a 4th is trying really hard but is struggling. The other 2 are just ejecting water with no venturi effect.
Beyond removing the fittings and just letting it run, how else might i clear the lines of any debris? When the builder did start up, they did purge the lines - i watched them - and a lot of gunk came up. When i remove the fittings now and just let it run, its just clear, clean water at this point.
Drilling holes in the lines and creating noise for my neighbors is not my ideal solution. I assume a 3 way valvue lets you adjust the opening and control the airflow? Wouldn't this just create air pressure between the valve and the blower?
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
I took a cheap drain snake form the Dollar Store and plaster slurry was dried on the wall of pipes but inches from opening. It broke loose and blew out with just gentle prod. It doesn't take but a little restriction to shut a jet down with them all in same pressure loop. Yep, this was after PB plumbers had been out to "see" why some jets were not producing stream and PB would be getting back with me. Over time, a few sheets of it also came out of the spa pool returns, as I guess it eventually can't hang on.
You can also use a tee with a 2-way valve. That is what I really meant.
And yes, it gives more fine control over the air flow.
How many spa jet do you have?
What size pipe did the PB use for the spa suction and return lines?
A 6+ spa jet spa is going to require close to full speed for strong jets. Especially when going through the filter and heater.
6 jets. I could get it up to 3200 RPM before the blower overheats and shuts off. Looks to be 2.5" pipe for both spa suction / return.You can also use a tee with a 2-way valve. That is what I really meant.
And yes, it gives more fine control over the air flow.
How many spa jet do you have?
What size pipe did the PB use for the spa suction and return lines?
A 6+ spa jet spa is going to require close to full speed for strong jets. Especially when going through the filter and heater.
New symptom - not sure if it matters... When PB and Plumbers were just at my house, we could hear the air blower pipe gurgling when pool was in spa mode (obviously with blower off). The plumbers said something like "there's water in the line. the pool start up company should have vacuumed that out" but PB didn't seem to buy that. I'm not quite sure how all this is supposed to work but gurgling when blower is off would seem to be a sign that something isn't right, correct?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 47,209
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Water always gets into the spa air line up to the water level.
That is why a check valve is often put into the spa air line depending on the relative elevations.
That is why a check valve is often put into the spa air line depending on the relative elevations.
Yea that’s irrelevant. Besides you said the air blower works with pump off/pool mode, that would have purged the lines.
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If this is obvious forgive me but I have 9 of those Waterway jets and they are adjustable. If you rotate the outer gray ring when they are installed you can change the flow through them. Even shut them completely off. Are the weak jets possibly turned off? When mine were first installed a couple of them were very hard to turn because they were screwed in too far up against the plaster.
I have them fully open. The plumbers just drained the spa and and filled it back up via the jets, and you can clearly see pressure differences. 3 jets are strong. 1 is so so... the other 2 - very very clear pressure difference.
I would remove those jets, not just the head but the housing and look for blockage. If no visible blockage I flush system with all of them out like mas said.
I assume they installed all the jets on a loop. If they didn't the end of the line will have less pressure than the beginning. I went round and round with my plumber during the build on this. It was like pushing string.
They claim they did. To my eye - it appears they did.
