Jacuzzi-No Pump Isolation Valves

[Dave_L]

I just had a look in the section that contains the pumps, control panel, etc of our week old Jacuzzi. I was very surprised to see the lack of isolation valves at the pump inlets.

Unless, there is some method of blocking flow, it appears that the tub would have to be drained to permit pump removal. Is this correct? I did a quick search of the some of the so-called "best" tub manufacturers and found most had these valves - Arctic, Beachcomber, Marquis, -to name a few.  Sundance or Jacuzzi does not have these valves.   The inclusion of these valves would definitely add to the manufacturer costs however it would mean easier (less expensive) servicing when the time comes for pump removal.  



Dave

[stuart]

No kidding! Just ask any tech that has had to change a pump in the middle of winter! You don't want to have to drain the spa and then set around waiting for it to fill so you can test out the system....

[poolboy34]

yeah unfortunately some manufacturers aren't as service tech freindly as they should be.  D-1 has the shut-off valves on their premium line of spas, but they don't have them on their @Home hot-tub series, which I know I've heard our techs gripe about.  Caldera has them on their utopia series and aquatic melodies series spas, but I'm not sure if they have them on the highland or paradise series spas they offer.  I really don't understand why some manufacturers choose not to have the shut-off valves, as they aren't that expensive, and they'd really cut down their warranty work pay-outs.

[windsurfdog]

No kidding! Just ask any tech that has had to change a pump in the middle of winter! You don't want to have to drain the spa and then set around waiting for it to fill so you can test out the system....

Agreed....and I hadn't thought of the winter time angle....BRRRRR!  During manufacturing, would the  added labor and material cost add up to $7.00 or less per valve?  If so, certainly seems well worth the expense.  And if more, still well worth it.

[SerjicalStrike]

The Sundances do not have isolation valves and we don't have to drain the spa to work on the pumps.  A couple of winterizing plugs can go a long way.

[zzaphod42]

The Sundances do not have isolation valves and we don't have to drain the spa to work on the pumps.  A couple of winterizing plugs can go a long way.

What are winterizing plugs?

[SerjicalStrike]

Rubber plugs that have a wing nut on them.  You put them in a pipe, turn the wingnut, and the rubber expands, holding itself in the pipe.  There is also a trick with the diverter valves.

[Spatech_tuo]

Anyone else know of multiple occasions were the shut off valve itself leaks?

[SerjicalStrike]

Yes.  We try to avoid using them as much as we can.  Especially slice valves.  Ball valves work much better and last longer.

[Dave_L]

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking that a plug could be used at  the filter inlet, but was unsure about bottom suction. Just remove the cover and insert the rubber plug?

One draw back to ball valves is the greater pressure drop across the valve.

As stated by others this is an excellent forum.

Thanks again.
Dave  

[stuart]

Speaking from a technician point of view, if I have my choice between working in the water to put in a plug in the middle of winter or closing a couple of slice valves. I choose the valves! I can close the valves, pull a pump, change a seal or pull the head apart to remove debris, put it all back together in around 30 minuets and be back in the truck warming up and drinking lukewarm coffee.

No plugs, no muss, no fuss!

[SerjicalStrike]

How about down the road having to cut out the slice valves and replumb because they are leaking?  It takes about 2 minutes longer (in a Sundance) to put the plugs in than if there were slice valves.  

Sundance used to put the valves in, but no longer do.

[tazman]

Come on! Let’s at least be realistic! So your telling me that Sundance doesn't put slice valves in a spa because of the potential for them to fail latter but their OK with putting a sales tool like the Stainless Escutcheons in that will eventually come off and have to be glued back on? Or, how about the "Aroma Therapy" that goes to pot. Let's not forget about a weir door that has the potential for sticking and while we're at it all cover locks fail and you have to replace a $400 cover!

Sundance does not put slice valves in theirs spa because of price and philosophy but that doesn't mean having them is a bad thing. If you put cheap one in like cal spa did for so many years then yes, they will fail. If you put good ones in they won't. Are you telling me that pump unions don't fail as often in poor water conditions? How about pump seals? Don’t even get me started on bearingless jets, those are really going to last. In fact, I think I’m going to have the wheel bearings removed from my truck and have them put either plastic-to-plastic or metal-to-metal because you guys have convinced me that bearings will just fail!

There is not much in a spa that poor water chemistry can’t break down, hence the disclaimer in just about every warranty. Sundance makes a decent spa but don’t take something they don’t do and press it as a positive making the rest of the industry sound as if they’re crazy to do it.

[Spatech_tuo]

I'm with Serjical on this one but I don't think its a big deal either way. Those slice valves are not used for a couple reasons. Cost of installation is certainly a driving factor but also they are not used because they themselves are a field service issue over time and as serjical indicates, they aren't really much better than a plug so the combination keeps them from being used at the manufacturer.

[HotTubMan]

Im with Tazman, nothing really to add.