schumacherd0

Thank you Spa_Guru and PreservedSwine for your quick responses. Ran the test 3 times and the motor turned over without a problem. As stated previously, the motor used to just hum and wouldn't turn over. (1) I first checked to make sure the pump could turn easily; it could. (2) Tried to start the motor by turning the motor over manually with a screwdriver inserted in the end while plugged in; it would not start. (3) Visually inspected the start capacitor. Found liquid seeping from the top. White dry crusty substance around start capacitor. (4) Tried to test start capacitor with an Ohm meter. Inconclusive results. (5) Because the it was inexpensive, decided to just replace it. After replacing with a new one, motor started right up. Problem appeared to have been solved. Refilled tub, it worked for about two weeks and then the humming reappeared. (6) Removed motor and jump started as stated above. Started right up. Ran test 3 times, no problem starting. Now what? If I refill the tub with 300 gallons of water, how much you want to bet it will stop working and just hum. Can something not working on the control unit cause the motor to just hum? Is there anyway for a basic DIYer to test the control unit components? I am not hopeful I can test anything on the control unit other than just replacing the entire control unit, which is too expensive to replace when I am not sure where the problem is. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I need some advice on how to test a 115 volt spa motor. Previously, It was humming and not turning over, so I replaced the start capacitor. The motor worked for two weeks but now has gone back to just humming. I have the motor on my workbench and I would like to use a procedure I learned for testing refrigerator compressors 30 years ago. Using a heavy duty 2 foot extension cord, I will connect three alligator clips to the three wires (hot, common, ground). I will then be able to bypass the control unit and any other switches. My questions are (1) Is there any issue with testing the motor in this fashion? (If it runs, it is good and the problem is somewhere else. If it doesn't, I need a new motor.) (2) Do I connect the hot to the low speed terminal? (3) Are there any other things I should know about testing the motor this way? Thanks in advance.