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What is
the motor and what is the pump?
Lingo can be confusing.
Actually the "motor" only refers to the part that makes
the "pump" turn. It's the electronic part of the two.
Typically the motor is called a "motor" and the pump is
called the "wet end" and the pump and motor together is
called the pump/motor complete. Sort of obvious when you
think of it. How
Important is matching the pump and motor?
Think of it like putting a small engine in a big car. It
might last but not long. OR, a big engine in a small
car. Wasted power. So engineers match the pump with the
motor. Too often a person will think themselves cleaver
putting a larger impellor on a pump and thinking they
are getting more power for a cheaper price. Again, you
can put a small engine in a car and pull a trailer with
it thinking those guys with a truck and big engine are
losers. They are not and you will be.
What is a
frame? Motors are made to
match with a certain design pump. The 2 common frames
for spas are 48y which Jacuzzi uses and 56y.
Why does
my motor label say 120v and 240v?
It is common for motor manufacturer to offer a motor
that is field wired. This means the installer can match
the motor to his application. Doing so usually means a
costlier motor but easier motor to obtain.
One spec
says "110vac" and another "120vac". Which do I need?
Electronics are built to cover
a range of voltages. Ideal in the U.S. is 120vac or
240vac. But most items are made to cover a +/- 10%. This
means that 110vac-130vac or 220vac-260vac is acceptable.
Most electrical providers provide close to the optimum
value or 120vac/240vac.
How long
should a motor last?
That is a real good question. Usually 240vac motors last
longer than 120vac motors. They run more efficiently.
Often to make the spa readily available to the end user,
some spas are designed to run on 120vac. This
is a plug-in spa. The motor on these will typically last
3-5 years. I have seen them last less and more. But
that is a good average to expect. Even if you can
upgrade the spa to 240vac, the motor will stay 120vac.
Spas that are ONLY operational on
240vac have longer lasting motors. The typical short
life is 5 years and many get longer. Motors that are
only operated when on HIGH can last the life of the spa.
Many times the thing that causes the HIGH pump to fail
is poor water quality has damaged the seal and it leaks
into the winding of the motor.
What
maintenance should I do on a motor?
Usually none.
Do I have
a circ pump? What's if for?
Most spas now come with
small circulation pumps. These operate 24/7 to move the
water and keep it clean. Jacuzzi Hot Tubs on most models
have incorporated the advantage of adding a sleeve into
the filter that houses either Proclear or tablets. Then
the spa is constantly bathed in a low quanity of
sanitizer which keeps the water clean, easier to
maintain, and harms the equipment less. That along with
an ozonator really helps keep your spa clean. On a few
models, the #1 pump is a 2 speed pump so on low it
heat/filters and on high is the jet action. This models
usually do not run 24/7 but have a timed cycle to come
on several times a day to filter and as needed to heat.
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