General > Beating a dead horse
Horse power
hottubdan:
So, I have seen some discussion about horsepower in some other threads.
Please understand that horsepower is only one factor for the feel of the jets. Other factors:
Plumbing
# of jets
size of jets
size of orifaces
design of jets
As Vanguard mentioned there are no standards. Pump manufacturers will slap on whatever label spa manufacturer asks for. It is what is called market horse power. Bottom line, knowing the horsepower of pumps in spas is almost irrelevant.
loosenupspas:
GPM is significant.....gallons per minute. HP is meaningless. Electrical motors are measured on RPM's, not HP. Isn't Horsepower calculated by cylinder depth and piston width, liters of displacement. Heck I don't remember but spa pumps are about flow rates, GPM's. Good question.....
Chas:
There is a story floating around that if you walk into a Rolls Royce dealership (do they still exist?) and ask how many horsepower their new cars have, the answer you get will be:
"Sufficient."
I don't want to sound quite that snooty about it, but I do think that Dan is right. The number on the brochure or in the owner's manual means absolutely nothing. Could be a different rating system, Breakdown Torque, or the pump could be fitted with an oversize or undersized impeller, uprated or down rated motor or any of a dozen other things which renders the simple HP rating worthless. The important thing is the jet action in the finished spa, as installed and used.
Try wet testing, and see if you have enough action from the jets - or if you don't.
That is what you will have to live with for the next two decades. The brochure will not likely be around for two weeks after delivery.
8-)
Josh:
--- Quote ---Try wet testing, and see if you have enough action from the jets - or if you don't.
--- End quote ---
Although I've enjoyed the lessons I've been getting in what people think the horsepower ratings actually mean (or don't mean) you're absolutely correct. The only way to really tell is to get in and soak, and see how they feel.
I tested a Hot Springs tub that had 2 4.8hp (peak) motors and felt incredibly weak compared to a Jacuzzi with two 4.2hp motors. In this case, even though the Jacuzzi didn't have as much power, it felt so much better than it's competition....so clearly, specs aren't everything. Of course...the Jacuzzi also cost quite a bit more....so maybe it's not fair to compare it against the cheaper Hot Springs model.
I also tested a spa with 3 4HP pumps (it was a Phoenix) and I still liked the way the Jacuzzi's jets felt compared to it. On paper...once again, the Jacuzzi was inferior in HP specs, but when actually sitting in there....it felt much better than the Phoenix that supposedly had more power pumping through it.
Of course, none of those choices was able to compare to the comfort of the LA Spas model I actually bought (which I choose to equip with 3 5HP pumps.) I did test one of their 2 pump models, and it was good.....but the 3 pump was noticeably more powerful in the foot jets (and lounge seat) so ultimately....that's what I chose.
Now....we'll just have to see how often I sit out in that thing with all the jets on. :)
Cyn:
I believe this is all true of vacuume cleaners as well...HP means nothing.
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