Low Flow Problem

[kered]

I have a Down East Portsmouth and the heater stopped working but I don't think it is a heater problem. If I turn the jets on the heater (at least the heater light) goes on. I get an error 'LF' for 'low flow'. The manual says the heater will shut down but other spa functions continue to run under this error.

I also saw a 'HL' (not sure what it stands for) error and that says a significant difference between temperature sensors has been detected.

For both errors it says to check water level, make sure pumps have been primed, turn off spa/restart. That didn't help.

I'm thinking it may be a problem with the circulation pump but it seems to be working - just not sure if it's working properly. The circulation pump motor still runs and when I disconnected it from the plumbing in the spa and turned it on, it did shoot water out. I did connect it back but there was no change.

Is it possible that the motor could be working but not at a high enough speed or torque? Or could the impeller possibly not be working right under pressure?

Appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

[Vanguard]

Have you made sure your filters are clean?  Dirty filters tend to be one of the top reasons for low flow and heates not working.

One way to rule out the filters is to take them out and see if the problem is corrected.  If it is, then you know you just had clogged filters.  If it isn't, then you have another issue and probably a service call coming.

[riesnd]

I saw the exact same thing on my tub last fall. In my case the tub's filteration and heating system flows through one set of jets. The kids had closed all of the jets on that set which of course all but stopped the water flow. Once I opened up the jets everything functioned ok.

Hope this helps you out.

John

[stuart]

We've switched several customers to a single stage filter instead of the dual stage. That usually takes care of it.

You do know you need to change the inner filter every 4 months and the outer one every year don't you?

[kered]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I kept playing and when I put the motor back in I noticed that although it was turning, it didn't seem to be turning as fast as it was when it was out and not under a load. When I saw that I looked at the bubbles that come out with the ozinator and there was barely any coming out and they were just drifting up rather than shooting out like they usually do. So althouh I haven't changed it yet, I'm pretty sure that's the problem. Thanks.

[clover]

....when I put the motor back in I noticed....the bubbles that come out with the ozinator and there was barely any coming out....So althouh I haven't changed it yet, (the filter) [size=14][glow]I'm pretty sure that's the problem[/glow][/size]. Thanks.

Wouldn't it have been easier to take the filter out, proof positive?   :-/