Hot Springs Vanguard SmartJet lever Hissing noise

[killborn]

Ladies and Gentleman,

I recently took possession of a brand spanking new Hot Spring vanguard. Have had it installed for 6 weeks now and loving it. I do have a couple issues, which I have escalated to the dealer and would appreciate some insight.

Firstly,  couple of the small jet covers have been falling off from the pressure of the jets and I find them in the foot well when in the tub.
I have asked the tech to repair. Will get feedback on that later when I am home.

The most annoying problem however is that the Smartjet lever when turned in a specific direction. (when facing tub entrance from outside, lever turned to the right) there is a loud hissing noise from the water in the pipes. It is loud and makes me not want to use one of my favorite seats.
I have tried to make small adjustments to the lever to get rid of the noise, but when it goes away, so does some of the power to the jets in that seat. Bottom line I can't use the seat at full power without the annoying loud hissing sound.

Tech has looked at it and has has informed me that they all do this and there is no fix. I find that unacceptable. I did not spend close to $10k on a tub to be noisy. It's meant to be a relaxing experience, not annoying.

Do they really all make this loud annoying sound in that position? I have asked for the tech to escalate this to the Hot Spring manufacturer and will await feedback.

Anybody had a similar issue? How far can I push this to make sure it is corrected? Don't want anything other than a 100% functioning tub.

Look forward to input.

[richierich]

water flowing through a diverter valve does indeed make noise.

[Quickbeam]

Don't remember where I read it, but I do remember reading something a while ago about hissing being an issue with some Hotspring models. Dunecritter, who frequents this forum is a Hotspring salesman, and he might be able to provide you more information.

[killborn]

Yes, thanks I changed some of my search words and found a few threads with info. The response thus far from tech support is that this is usual for this model. That is not a suitable response from a known tub manufacturer. Waiting to hear back from them today again. I like to use some of the jets on max power, and so adjusting the lever to where it does not make the noise is not what I want. Hoping I can find a solution to this soon.

[Spatech_tuo]

Is this happening in the fully open position where it should make the least amount of noise? Ask them to change the core that sits inside the valve to see if that makes a difference.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

Is this happening in the fully open position where it should make the least amount of noise? Ask them to change the core that sits inside the valve to see if that makes a difference.

  Some good advice!    If it is a common problem I can't see them cutting out the PVC Tee where the divertor gate sits and replacing it. Not sure it would make a difference anyway.      I know quite a few years ago Sundance and Jacuzzi started using divertor gates with perforated holes and that helped with the noise issue quite a bit.   Not sure what HS uses, but most of those gates are the same.   

  This is the style they use now, also just so you know what a divertor gate is..
http://www.spaandpoolstore.com/6540-966-diverter-gate-only/?gclid=CMXen7Xcqb8CFcRffgod728AiA

[killborn]

Is this happening in the fully open position where it should make the least amount of noise? Ask them to change the core that sits inside the valve to see if that makes a difference.

Not quite sure what the fully open position is, I see not reference to it in the manual. It happens mainly when it is the following setting as per the manual:
Jet Pump 2-Jet system 2, which directs all pressure to the seat with the Hydromassage. Still waiting for response from Watkins. Made a video of it, but the file is too large to send them.

[Topline Mike]

My family wet tested 3 different HS models back in March.  I distinctly remember a hissing sound from a valve while in one of the models.  I didn't question this to the sales rep, just made a mental note.  We bought jacuzzi. 

[killborn]

And after a lot of hassle and forcing the issue my dealer came through and found a good fix. Watkins was not as useful.
Dealer did some testing and found that the earlier version diverter valve is a much better fit and by changing the 3 and 9 positions to a 6 and 12 it eliminates the water noise when using pump 2 on both settings. Very happy about this..