Leaderboard

Disconnect them all and work backwards. Try with J11 and 12 and both RED AC wires disconnected. reset the breaker and try pushing pump 1 low and high. If it holds pump 1 is good. Next power off then reconnect J 12 but leave the associated Red AC wire disconnected. Reset power then try pump 3 (or pump 4 the RED AC wire will be for one pump the J12 will be for the other but we have to start with the main "J" connector first) So if 3 or 4 comes on next try reconnecting the Red AC wire and see if you now have both 3 and 4 working. then keep going with the same tests on J11 and it's red AC wire. If it trips at any point disconnect the last step and move forward to the next connector. We are trying to test each pump individually but it's hard with this system and having 2 pumps splitting the same J connector.

My spa is old (32 years) but the slice valves have never really sealed well. In fact, I've replaced the "innards" by removing the four screws and slipping in parts from a new slice valve, helped some. So I wouldn't count on such valves to do a great valve keeping things dry for you during your repair. When I plumbed the lines to an external filter, I installed ball valves to isolate that for filter cleaning/replacement.

Try disconnect J11 from the board (pumps 2 and 5) and also the wire that is connected going to RED AC bottom left on the board then try it see if breaker holds. If it trips do the same with the 3/4 pump connection at J12 along with the wire going to Red AC and see if it holds. If it holds then reattach J12 but not the red ac wire and try breaker. If it holds do the same with J11 leaving the red ac disconnected. If it holds then try reattaching the red ac one at a time trying the breaker each time. If you have ozone or the mister disconnect them one at a time first and try the breaker. Let us know results

and you never know until you try. Just the way it is. Just loosen the pump union enough to let the water in the wet end to drain and if it still keeps running out after a minute or 2 you might have to drain the spa. Some pumps will have a 3/8" line attached to the face of the pump and will not be affected by the slice valves in which case you have to pull the line off and quickly plug it or water will just keep running out.

I would say the pack and topside have been retrofitted in 2016 and likely cost more than the $500 alone so if you can get it for that then you would be doing alright. Pretty basic spa but as long as it meets your needs and budget then go for it. You could probably find a pretty nice used spa for the 4K budget you mentioned.

If you cut power to the pump and heater while the heater us on it will boil the water in the heater damaging pvc, gaskets, and possibly even your heater. If you insist on a manual timer the installation will be complicated and will need a pool timer with a firemans switch. A simple timer will not do.