Bullfrog R5L

[Baleklocoon]

I went to wet test the R5L, and he had it plugged into a 110 outlet so the jets were super weak. He had me wet test the R7, which has 2 pumps, 1 per 3 seats, so he told me when the R5 is is plugged into 220 it will feel identical to that. Is this accurate? Or should I make him move hot tubs around so I can test the R5L on 220 before buying. He said it would be a pain in the ass but he will do it if I don't trust him.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

  When you go with the 220 option he can order it with a higher HP motor.   So yes it will be stronger.

[Baleklocoon]

The R5L I tested had the 4.8 BHP pump, but he said since he hooked it up to 110 the motor wasn't fully powered. Just trying to verify that when hooked up to 220, it will feel the same as the 6 person R7 I tested.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

The R5L I tested had the 4.8 BHP pump, but he said since he hooked it up to 110 the motor wasn't fully powered. Just trying to verify that when hooked up to 220, it will feel the same as the 6 person R7 I tested.

  You want to look at continuous run.  4.8 BHP is actually a 2.5 hp pump continuous run which is what you would get if he orders the 220v spa.   If he orders the 110v like you wet tested it's only a 1.5hp pump.  If he converts that spa to 220v which he can do, it will still only be a 1.5hp or 2.0 BHP pump.  The only thing that would change is the heater from 2.5KW to a 5.5KW heater, which basically means it will heat up faster on 220v.    You now know probably more then he does.. 

   Only thing I am not sure of is if the 220v spa 2.5hp pump can be dropped down to 110v via a jumper, I don't think it can.   

[Baleklocoon]

Still haven't had my question answered, if anyone can help. Yes I understand 4.8 BHP is 2.5 continuous. That wasn't my question. I wet tested the R5L with the 4.8 BHP pump, but he didn't have room to hook it up to a 220 so he converted to 120 to plug into the wall. He said the pumps are weak because they are plugged into a 110, and that if they were hooked up to a 220 it would feel identical to the 6 person R7 I tested.

Yes or no. When the R5L is powered by 220 Volts, it will feel the same as the R7 I tested? Anyone?

[Hottubguy]

Jim did answer your question. I don’t think the 2.5 HP pump can run on 110v. Go back to dealer and have him open cabinet and verify that’s its the 2.5 pump in there. I’m guessing it’s the smaller pump. Upgrade pump you get more power. Power doesn’t matter if it’s hooked up 110 or 240. The power would come from the size of pump. Frankly I think the dealer you are dealing with is either a idiot or not completely truthful

[Baleklocoon]

OK, let's say the guy is an idiot or not truthful.

Will the R5L with the 2.5HP pump, what I'm considering ordering, feel the same as the 6 person R7 that I tested? He said it will, because the R7 has 2*2.5 HP pumps, 1 per 3 seats, and the R5 has 1 2.5HP pump for 3 seats. That's my question. I don't actually care what the floor model has in the cabinet.  I'm not considering buying the floor model. I'm asking if the R5L will feel the same as the R7 or not, in terms of how powerful the jets feel.

[Hottubguy]

Then I would imagine it would.  I would still go look inside the cabinet and see what pump is in there.  If it's a 2.5 then it will feel the same.  If it's a 1.5 then it will feel more like what you tested

[Jacuzzi Jim]

  When you go with the 220 option he can order it with a higher HP motor.   SO YES IT WILL BE STRONGER.

  Guess you missed this?   "If he orders it in the 220v and the higher HP motor, yes it would be stronger"

  It will probably feel stronger as it's a smaller spa.    And there is a word in the dictionary, it's called thanks.  It also coincides with gee thanks for the information. I appreciate it. 

  Good luck to you! 

[Jacuzzi Jim]

OK, let's say the guy is an idiot or not truthful.

Will the R5L with the 2.5HP pump, what I'm considering ordering, feel the same as the 6 person R7 that I tested? He said it will, because the R7 has 2*2.5 HP pumps, 1 per 3 seats, and the R5 has 1 2.5HP pump for 3 seats. That's my question. I don't actually care what the floor model has in the cabinet.  I'm not considering buying the floor model. I'm asking if the R5L will feel the same as the R7 or not, in terms of how powerful the jets feel.

  And yes it can matter, because if he is going to move that R5L and hook it up to 220 and its the 1.5 HP pump it will not make a difference.  It's still a 1.5hp pump,  220 or not. 

[Baleklocoon]

Thanks Jim I do appreciate it. And sorry for not understanding your original response. I thought you meant it will be stronger than the R5L I tried, I didn't realize you meant it will be stronger than the R7 I tried.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

Thanks Jim I do appreciate it. And sorry for not understanding your original response. I thought you meant it will be stronger than the R5L I tried, I didn't realize you meant it will be stronger than the R7 I tried.

   The thing with jet pressure is a perception by the individual.  Some people are perfectly happy with the lower HP pump, then someone that likes it really strong.  That said I have had people in a spa with the 1.5hp pump that think it's too much.  It also depends on which jet pack you may choose if your going with a Bullfrog spa.   

[Baleklocoon]

Thanks Jim.  I tried a bunch of different jet packs in the 6 person bullfrog I tested, and know which jet packs I would get, I just wanted to make sure they would feel equal or greater in power in the R5L if I order the R5L in 220V.

I'm actually torn between the R5L and the Jacuzzi J315 I wet tested.  I really liked the J315, but it has a higher price tag.  And the price difference is compounded since Bullfrog offers a $500 rebate year round to military service members. 

[Jacuzzi Jim]

The Jacuzzi will only have a 1.5hp pump 110 or 220 still a nice spa and the circ pump is standard as is Clear Ray.  The Bullfrog is a bit longer, with pretty much the same layout, optional circ pump and Ozone.  The circ pump is nice, but not really a deal breaker.   We sold Jacuzzi for about 14 years or so, they dropped us when we brought in Bullfrog, we haven't looked back.     

  And thank you for your service!  I am a vet as well, you still in? 

[Baleklocoon]

The Jacuzzi has an optional upgrade to a 2.5HP pump. The one I tested was the 1.5, which felt surprisingly powerful when I shut off the jets to the seats I wasn't using. Not sure if I'd need the upgrade or not. They are both 1 speeds which is a con.

Yes I'm still a reservist. Thanks for your service as well.