akmikek Posted May 20, 2013 Report Posted May 20, 2013 My name is Mike and i am new to Hot Tub repair and request advice. I have a late 90's tiger river bengal hot tub and i am starting to have issues. Recently the water will not get very hot even when turned up. I am not sure if it is the heater or recirc pump. The water used to come out hotter from the little jet where recirc pump dumps into tub( with jet pump off). The silentflo 5000 pump is hot to the touch. I took the hose off of the outlet side of pump and water comes out but im not sure if its working or if that is gravity making water flo. What should i look at as far as testing pump and heater? Or could it possibly be thermostats? I am pretty handy with mechanical and electrical repairs i just dont know how to test components. Any advice would be greatly aprreciated. Quote
akmikek Posted May 21, 2013 Author Report Posted May 21, 2013 I took the pump apart and noticed that the top part wobbles alot. I put it back together and saw that it will start to turn then stop. Is there a way to fix the motor. I just cant afford a $175 circ pump at this time. Quote
PreservedSwine Posted May 21, 2013 Report Posted May 21, 2013 You can try to clean the impellor where it fits over the ceramic ball. That's about it. Quote
akmikek Posted May 27, 2013 Author Report Posted May 27, 2013 I have come to the realization that the recirculation pump is not fixable and needs to be replaced. The watkins SilentFlo 5000 is more than i can afford at this time so i just have the recirc pump unplugged. My new question is, can i use other recirculation pumps as long as they are the same voltage? My other thought was what about a small pond or fountain solar pump temporarily until i can save up for the real pump. Is there a place that sells used pumps? Thanks again. Quote
RobbyB Posted May 28, 2013 Report Posted May 28, 2013 Thats definitely not recommended on the pond pump. You would have to upsize your barb on the pond pump to 3/4 " putting you right back where you started with little flow. I would suggest looking for a used one on ebay. I get them here and there just picking up spas that people no longer want or cant afford repairs on. Watkins makes it tough to work around their systems and parts. you may look into a grundfos circ pump. I believe they are around 110 dollars but they use a 1" barb Quote
akmikek Posted May 28, 2013 Author Report Posted May 28, 2013 I will look into the Grundfos. The silent flo has a 1/2" but i am sure i can use adapters for the size of connection. Thanks. Quote
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