Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Matt132 on March 17, 2018, 05:24:35 am

Title: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 17, 2018, 05:24:35 am
Hi all,

Im Matt and just joined this forum looking for help and advice and maybe one day i can return the favour!

Ive bought a hottub by spatec and its as old as the hills and i want to upgrade it to a balboa system or something similar.

I would like someone to tell me from my pictures whats what as i dont know if there pumps or blowers etc.

The one thing i do know is that the motor that the heater is attached to is a circulating pump and its buggered so i need to find a quality replacement. If you look at the main picture its to the bottom right.

Any help here is greatly appreciated.

(http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_153155_zpsbcdoclxf.jpg.html?sort=1&o=0)
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 17, 2018, 03:33:18 pm
http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_120514_zpsw2wqsamh.jpg.html?filters[user]=147132727&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=4
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 17, 2018, 04:00:20 pm
(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_153155_zpsbcdoclxf.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_153155_zpsbcdoclxf.jpg.html)

(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_120636_zpsjdr2q9mm.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_120636_zpsjdr2q9mm.jpg.html)

(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_120522_zps3xmnyogs.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_120522_zps3xmnyogs.jpg.html)

(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_120514_zpsw2wqsamh.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_120514_zpsw2wqsamh.jpg.html)

(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_120501_zpsz5el3ovd.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_120501_zpsz5el3ovd.jpg.html)

(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_120438_zpswuq1kvxw.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_120438_zpswuq1kvxw.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 31, 2018, 12:55:01 am
Anyone any ideas please?
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Tman122 on March 31, 2018, 07:47:37 am
Anyone any ideas please?

No good photos Matt
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 31, 2018, 11:52:14 am
I cant get the photos to show up!??? I signed up to photobucket and uploaded them and they seemingly uploaded but wont show up?

(http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/matt13218/20180316_153155_zpsbcdoclxf.jpg) (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/matt13218/media/20180316_153155_zpsbcdoclxf.jpg.html)


(https://preview.ibb.co/dhWjFS/20180316_120438.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gRHfpn)
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Sam on March 31, 2018, 01:24:42 pm
Photobucket changed their system so that you can't link to the pictures anymore without a premium membership or something like that.  Lame
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 31, 2018, 02:12:46 pm
(https://preview.ibb.co/hzEDs7/20180316_120522.jpg) (https://ibb.co/caAmC7)
(https://image.ibb.co/jX1ts7/20180316_120544.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kqmhkS/20180316_120514.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mNMF5S)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gWXBen/20180316_120501.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mutv5S)
(https://image.ibb.co/kG4Pzn/20180316_153304.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://image.ibb.co/mBrRC7/20180316_153239.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://image.ibb.co/mTqxKn/20180316_153222.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://preview.ibb.co/ned6C7/20180316_153155.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k62Ys7)
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 31, 2018, 02:26:02 pm
(https://preview.ibb.co/fYHrC7/Main_pic.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h6sPX7)
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on March 31, 2018, 05:24:24 pm
   #1 is probably the main 2spd pump, white thing is guessing a pressure switch to activate pump, honestly never seen that before.  #2 is a blower #3 looks like a really old Jacuzzi pump #4 is some other pump.   either of those two could be a circ pump.   Which one was hooked up to the heater?    No idea why there are so many pumps in a spa that size plus a blower. 

  I am not sure I would spend the money to even attempt to get it running.  Your at 5 to 700 guessing just in pumps, equipment and controls another 6 to 800 with new heater maybe?   

   This pack would work most likely then you will have to figure what you want for pumps, fittings and misc crap.    I would cap the blower off.     
 
https://www.amazon.com/Balboa-VS510SZ-Controller-Topside-54218-Z/dp/B00CO9R3NW
 
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Tman122 on March 31, 2018, 05:53:28 pm
Removing air controlled pumps and converting to electronic controls is easy when you purchase pac/heater and pumps. You will have to put a couple sensors in line (easy) and yes, cap the air blower unless you like air. Make sure the pac you buy will do 3 pumps and air blower.

#2 is the air blower. Every thing else you have right.
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 31, 2018, 10:41:27 pm
   #1 is probably the main 2spd pump, white thing is guessing a pressure switch to activate pump, honestly never seen that before.  #2 is a blower #3 looks like a really old Jacuzzi pump #4 is some other pump.   either of those two could be a circ pump.   Which one was hooked up to the heater?    No idea why there are so many pumps in a spa that size plus a blower. 

  I am not sure I would spend the money to even attempt to get it running.  Your at 5 to 700 guessing just in pumps, equipment and controls another 6 to 800 with new heater maybe?   

   This pack would work most likely then you will have to figure what you want for pumps, fittings and misc crap.    I would cap the blower off.     
 
https://www.amazon.com/Balboa-VS510SZ-Controller-Topside-54218-Z/dp/B00CO9R3NW

Thanks for your reply! Appreciate that.

I should have pointed out that before i took all the moters/pumps etc out i had the tub running (once) and everything was working.  So i was thinking of putting them back but just adding a balboa heater/control panel? #4 was plumbed into the heater.

How can i tell if #4 pump is single or 2 speed?

Thanks
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on March 31, 2018, 10:48:00 pm
Removing air controlled pumps and converting to electronic controls is easy when you purchase pac/heater and pumps. You will have to put a couple sensors in line (easy) and yes, cap the air blower unless you like air. Make sure the pac you buy will do 3 pumps and air blower.

#2 is the air blower. Every thing else you have right.

Thanks for your reply.

Do air blowers have water going through them? Dont laugh......i know nothing?

I was told this would do me..............https://www.hottubpartsuperstore.co.uk/balboa-bundle-gs501z-3kw-and-vl404-4-button-topside.html

Supposing i re use all my pumps blowers etc would the above system work?

Thanks
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Tman122 on April 01, 2018, 07:30:21 am
Circulation pump is likely one speed and no the air blower should not have water in it and has a check valve inline to prevent that.
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on April 02, 2018, 01:59:37 pm
I have fitted it all back together and re wired to the old control box. Dont ask lol

But the water is leaking out of the connectors where the collar screws onto the pumps when filling the tub. When I turn it on it spews out of the seals. Is there supposed to be rubber washers inside the connectors to the pumps?
(https://image.ibb.co/kUGH4n/20180402_183649.jpg)
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on April 02, 2018, 03:51:16 pm
 Yes there is, either a o-ring or a flat ring with raised o-ring molded into the flat part. 

  It might be there, but just old and not sealing right.
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Tman122 on April 02, 2018, 04:40:47 pm
Yes there is, either a o-ring or a flat ring with raised o-ring molded into the flat part. 

  It might be there, but just old and not sealing right.

And use a good gasket lube while your at it. Majilube.
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on April 03, 2018, 03:30:49 pm
Thanks guys!

The rubber ring is there and is till in good condition. I think it wasn't sitting flush when i lined the pipe up with the pump so ive had to put a packer under the pump. Will try it tomorrow as the weather was horendous for working outside today!

Thanks
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on April 17, 2018, 03:17:50 pm
Update*

I ordered a new Lx Flow type Heater and a new circ pump.

There is pressure switch lead that comes from the heater. Does anyone know where to wire the 2 cables into? Is it just a positive and negative and i can link it in to the main powere feed cables?

<a href="https://ibb.co/gxSFZ7"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/mMXhE7/20180417_200806.jpg" alt="20180417_200806" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/gAZJnS"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/buDpu7/20180417_165504.jpg" alt="20180417_165504" border="0"></a>
Title: Re: Upgrading Hottub
Post by: Matt132 on April 17, 2018, 03:21:32 pm
(https://preview.ibb.co/mMXhE7/20180417_200806.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gxSFZ7)
(https://preview.ibb.co/buDpu7/20180417_165504.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gAZJnS)