markley Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 I often hear of the horsepower of the motor in hot tubs, but how important is this? Wouldn't the gallons per minute be a better indication on whats coming out of the jets? and i guess it would also depend on the number of jets the flow is distributed too. Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markee Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Gallons per minute. Most horsepower ratings are completely inaccurate. Spa companies usually quote brake horse power, which is usually double the amount of continuous horsepower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Spa Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 What would the gallons per minute be a quote of? What the pump is capable of putting out under ideal conditions (no pipe, just water flowing freely through the pump)? Or the actual flow of the pump as it's plumbed into the spa? What about a spa with a flo rate of 150gmp, with 100 bullet jets as compared to 100 GPM with 20 high quality therapeutic jets? Flo rate would almost instantly become as deceptive as HP. END THE CONFUSION. Forget about horse power numbers, or number of pumps, and, wet test. WET TEST! Compare how one spa FEELS over another. This is the ONLY way you'll determine which spa really is the best for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spatech (the unreal one) Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 END THE CONFUSION. Forget about horse power numbers, or number of pumps, and, wet test. WET TEST! Compare how one spa FEELS over another. This is the ONLY way you'll determine which spa really is the best for you. Agree 100%. Let your body decide what feels best. In fact when you wet test multiple spas and decide what feels best it would actually be best if the better feeling spa attained its results with lesser HP rated pumps as higher HP basically means higher cost to operate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markley Posted August 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Thanks for clearing that up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n1oty Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 And add to this discussion the fact that plumbing design can have a dramatic impact on the final flow rate and residual power. It does little good to boost the pressure at the pump or the flow rate if the plumbing design is so poor that friction losses are exceptionally high compared to similar tubs. The plumbing cannot just be slapped together with elbows and reductions all over the place. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 I can't even add to this. As a plumber, it has been summed up perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Spa Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 We haven't even begun on high head, low flow vs. low head, high flow pumps. Same exact HP, totally different flow rates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerimiahR Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 GPM and HP are statistical, idealistic, theoretical numbers. They in the end mean nothing at all. Sit in the hot tub. Feel the jets. Not every spa with a huge jet pump is worth a darn, let alone has decent jets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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