Spa Stopped Flowing Into Pool ? Please Help

[Wingfan13]

I am hoping someone can help me out. I have a spa that is elevated above the pool and water flows over the spa wall into the pool. When I woke up this morning the spa water level was low. The last time this happened I replaced the flapper (Jandy valve?) and this wasn't even a year ago. So I put the pool in service mode, took it off to see if it was worn out. It looked fine but there was a small leaf in there. I didn't really pay attention to whether or not it was blocking anything. I sealed it back up and decided to check the other one just in case and that was also fine. I cleaned the filters just the other day because the PSI was getting up there pretty high.

Now the spa is not filling back up with water. The pump for the pool is working fine (I think). When I put the system in pool mode it is shooting water out of the jets. Does anyone have any idea what the issue could be ? Keep in mind I just moved into this house 8 months ago and have no idea what the hell I am doing. I can take pictures if needed. Does the water that is pushed into the spa to make the water fall over the wall come from the spa jets or the vents on the floor of the spa ? Just wondering.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Pool Clown]

Yes, the floor or main drain lines take water from the spa, and the wall fittings or Jets is where the water is returned. Take pics of the equipment. Be sure to show views of both the suction and return valves plus the spa by-pass valve(should be near the check valve you checked).

[Wingfan13]

Yes, the floor or main drain lines take water from the spa, and the wall fittings or Jets is where the water is returned. Take pics of the equipment. Be sure to show views of both the suction and return valves plus the spa by-pass valve(should be near the check valve you checked).

Here is a link with pictures. Let me know if you need better pictures. I appreciate the help.

https://picasaweb.google.com/108733394526381289765/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLzIofGykLXIWg&feat=directlink

[waterbear]

my guess is a bad or disconnected valve actuator (automatic valve controller) or two that is either leaving the spa drain open in spillover mode or is not turning on the jets in the spa or possibly both. Check your actuators and the control system for them.

The water for the spa comes out fo the jets. The grates in the floor is the spa drain and water leaves the spa when in spa only mode by that route. In spillover mode they are shut off and water enters the spa by the jets and overflows into the pool to drain out the pool drain and skimmer. If you do not have a pool only mode the pool jets should also be on in this configuration. If you also have a pool only mode then the spa is shut off totally (jets and drain) and the water enters the pool by the pool returns and leaves by the drain/skimmer.

[Wingfan13]

my guess is a bad or disconnected valve actuator (automatic valve controller) or two that is either leaving the spa drain open in spillover mode or is not turning on the jets in the spa or possibly both. Check your actuators and the control system for them.

The water for the spa comes out fo the jets. The grates in the floor is the spa drain and water leaves the spa when in spa only mode by that route. In spillover mode they are shut off and water enters the spa by the jets and overflows into the pool to drain out the pool drain and skimmer. If you do not have a pool only mode the pool jets should also be on in this configuration. If you also have a pool only mode then the spa is shut off totally (jets and drain) and the water enters the pool by the pool returns and leaves by the drain/skimmer.

How do I check/test the actuators ?

Could this just be a setting that I accidentally changed ? I have an Aqua Logic automated system. I took this quick video of the timer settings on it. I have no idea if this is helpful at all.

http://youtu.be/9nyiCj30Klk

[waterbear]

To check yo need to stand by the valves and watch them turn while you change the unit from pool to spa (both the return and drain valve actuators should turn) to spillover (now only the drain valve actuator will turn and the return will stay in the spa position.) If this does not happen look for an unplugged actuator, a broken or stuck actuator or valve, or possibly a defective control board in the Aqualogic.

The only other thing I can think of is that you changed the setting in the configuration menu from pool/spa standard to pool/spa dual, which can produce some strange results if you have shared equipment (which is what is normally found in a spillover system.) The timer menu would not really affect the actuators, the configuration menu will.

IF you are not sure what I am talking about I would STRONGLY recommend calling Hayward and asking if there is anyone local to you that is familiar with programming the Aqualogic automation and can check out the system. It really is not that hard to do but if you cannot understand it from reading the manuals (which are available online from the Hayward website if you don't have them) it's time to call in a pro!

[Wingfan13]

To check yo need to stand by the valves and watch them turn while you change the unit from pool to spa (both the return and drain valve actuators should turn) to spillover (now only the drain valve actuator will turn and the return will stay in the spa position.) If this does not happen look for an unplugged actuator, a broken or stuck actuator or valve, or possibly a defective control board in the Aqualogic.

The only other thing I can think of is that you changed the setting in the configuration menu from pool/spa standard to pool/spa dual, which can produce some strange results if you have shared equipment (which is what is normally found in a spillover system.) The timer menu would not really affect the actuators, the configuration menu will.

IF you are not sure what I am talking about I would STRONGLY recommend calling Hayward and asking if there is anyone local to you that is familiar with programming the Aqualogic automation and can check out the system. It really is not that hard to do but if you cannot understand it from reading the manuals (which are available online from the Hayward website if you don't have them) it's time to call in a pro!

I went to the control panel and switched it to spa, both turned 180 degrees. The thing is, when I hit mode again it doesn't go to spillover, it goes back to pool mode. Also on my unit, configuration mode is locked so there is no way I accidentally changed something there.

[waterbear]

You have spillover mode turned off. This is normal when the actuator is set to allow water to both the spa and pool in pool mode. Configuration menu is unlocked by holding down both the < and > buttons on either side of the menu button at the same time until the display flashes "configuration menu unlocked" and then changes can be made to that menu but if you don't know what you are doing it is safer to stay out of there.

It is possible that the actuators are 'out of sync'. There is a 3 way switch on them that turns them off in the center postion and rotates them to the opposite stop depending on the switch position. Another possibility is that, even though the actuators are turning a valve might not be or might be broken.

The next step is to determine where the water is actually flowing when the system is in pool position and in spa position. In Spa position water should flow out the jets in the spa and drain out the drain in the spa and the pool should be completely off.

Since your system has spillover mode turned off it is most likely in pool position that water will flow out the jets in the spa (and might also come out of the returns in the pool and should be draining out of the pool only by the skimmer and main drain and the spa drains should be off. If you are not able to determine this yourself it's time to call a pro.

[Wingfan13]

You have spillover mode turned off. This is normal when the actuator is set to allow water to both the spa and pool in pool mode. Configuration menu is unlocked by holding down both the < and > buttons on either side of the menu button at the same time until the display flashes "configuration menu unlocked" and then changes can be made to that menu but if you don't know what you are doing it is safer to stay out of there.

It is possible that the actuators are 'out of sync'. There is a 3 way switch on them that turns them off in the center postion and rotates them to the opposite stop depending on the switch position. Another possibility is that, even though the actuators are turning a valve might not be or might be broken.

The next step is to determine where the water is actually flowing when the system is in pool position and in spa position. In Spa position water should flow out the jets in the spa and drain out the drain in the spa and the pool should be completely off.

Since your system has spillover mode turned off it is most likely in pool position that water will flow out the jets in the spa (and might also come out of the returns in the pool and should be draining out of the pool only by the skimmer and main drain and the spa drains should be off. If you are not able to determine this yourself it's time to call a pro.

I appreciate your help on this. I just went and opened up the top of the actuator. It looks brand new inside and I can't see anything that is broken or doesn't look right. When I go to the spa when it is in pool mode I can't feel water coming out of the jets but I am not sure how hard is is supposed to be coming out. I can't imagine this is an issue but could too much water in the pool cause an issue ? We had a ton of rain here and the pool water is all the way to the top if the pool.

[Wingfan13]

Well...it's fixed and I have no idea what I did. I cleaned the skimmer basket and there wasn't much in it. I opened the filter back up and cleaned it out again. I turned it back on and everything was working fine. It did seem this time when I tightened the bracket on the filter that the bolt went much farther than last time. I am not sure why because the bracket was on completely. Anyway...thanks for the help. It looks like I accidentally fixed it.