greensoftub Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I have an older Softub that has generally been futzed with, so who knows what controller/pump etc. The motor is overheating in that it will run (from cold water start) for 15 minutes, then cut out until the motor has cooled, then run for some more time, then cut out. Rinse repeat. During this time, the circuit board still wants the pump to run (it's delivering 110v to the pump, and the heating light is on). The exchanger seems to run freely enough, and the water pressure going into the exchanger seems pretty high - especially considering the water is still in the 50s, and no where near 100. So I'm guessing that the thermal trip in the motor is going - but why? Could a failure mode of the pump be excess heat (it sounds fine, no bearing noise), could the thermal trip be malfunctioning and tripping the pump early? Could the electrics be degraded and cause excess heat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I have an older Softub that has generally been futzed with, so who knows what controller/pump etc. The motor is overheating in that it will run (from cold water start) for 15 minutes, then cut out until the motor has cooled, then run for some more time, then cut out. Rinse repeat. During this time, the circuit board still wants the pump to run (it's delivering 110v to the pump, and the heating light is on). The exchanger seems to run freely enough, and the water pressure going into the exchanger seems pretty high - especially considering the water is still in the 50s, and no where near 100. So I'm guessing that the thermal trip in the motor is going - but why? Could a failure mode of the pump be excess heat (it sounds fine, no bearing noise), could the thermal trip be malfunctioning and tripping the pump early? Could the electrics be degraded and cause excess heat? I have never looked at a softub in my life. I know they have a very unique heating system. Is there a filter system and what does it look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greensoftub Posted November 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 There is a filter system, but it's not specific to the heating section and the power of the jets seems high, so don't think it's that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ps558 Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I have an older Softub that has generally been futzed with, so who knows what controller/pump etc. The motor is overheating in that it will run (from cold water start) for 15 minutes, then cut out until the motor has cooled, then run for some more time, then cut out. Rinse repeat. During this time, the circuit board still wants the pump to run (it's delivering 110v to the pump, and the heating light is on). The exchanger seems to run freely enough, and the water pressure going into the exchanger seems pretty high - especially considering the water is still in the 50s, and no where near 100. So I'm guessing that the thermal trip in the motor is going - but why? Could a failure mode of the pump be excess heat (it sounds fine, no bearing noise), could the thermal trip be malfunctioning and tripping the pump early? Could the electrics be degraded and cause excess heat? It is the thermal trip in the back of the motor. It is a very thin piece of copper. The true way to test it is to test the amp draw while the motor is running to see if it the same as the nameplate.There is only 1 style pump that works with a softub and needs to be from a softub dealer because of the tubes wrapping around the motor to heat the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greensoftub Posted November 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I have an older Softub that has generally been futzed with, so who knows what controller/pump etc. The motor is overheating in that it will run (from cold water start) for 15 minutes, then cut out until the motor has cooled, then run for some more time, then cut out. Rinse repeat. During this time, the circuit board still wants the pump to run (it's delivering 110v to the pump, and the heating light is on). The exchanger seems to run freely enough, and the water pressure going into the exchanger seems pretty high - especially considering the water is still in the 50s, and no where near 100. So I'm guessing that the thermal trip in the motor is going - but why? Could a failure mode of the pump be excess heat (it sounds fine, no bearing noise), could the thermal trip be malfunctioning and tripping the pump early? Could the electrics be degraded and cause excess heat? It is the thermal trip in the back of the motor. It is a very thin piece of copper. The true way to test it is to test the amp draw while the motor is running to see if it the same as the nameplate.There is only 1 style pump that works with a softub and needs to be from a softub dealer because of the tubes wrapping around the motor to heat the water Every chance as this setup has been messed with. I presume that if the wrong pump has been installed then the load from the pump will be causing the excess amp draw, and the overheat. Do you know what a proper amp draw from a softub motor should be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ps558 Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 I have an older Softub that has generally been futzed with, so who knows what controller/pump etc. The motor is overheating in that it will run (from cold water start) for 15 minutes, then cut out until the motor has cooled, then run for some more time, then cut out. Rinse repeat. During this time, the circuit board still wants the pump to run (it's delivering 110v to the pump, and the heating light is on). The exchanger seems to run freely enough, and the water pressure going into the exchanger seems pretty high - especially considering the water is still in the 50s, and no where near 100. So I'm guessing that the thermal trip in the motor is going - but why? Could a failure mode of the pump be excess heat (it sounds fine, no bearing noise), could the thermal trip be malfunctioning and tripping the pump early? Could the electrics be degraded and cause excess heat? It is the thermal trip in the back of the motor. It is a very thin piece of copper. The true way to test it is to test the amp draw while the motor is running to see if it the same as the nameplate.There is only 1 style pump that works with a softub and needs to be from a softub dealer because of the tubes wrapping around the motor to heat the water Every chance as this setup has been messed with. I presume that if the wrong pump has been installed then the load from the pump will be causing the excess amp draw, and the overheat. Do you know what a proper amp draw from a softub motor should be? They are all 115 volts and about 10-12 amps. The amp draw has nothing to do with thermal overload. The motor winding are overheating from loss of insulation. Age is a factor or poor motor manufacturing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISXDesign Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 I have just purchased a new HydroThermix replacement pump for my SofTub. Same deal... the pump keeps shutting down after running for about an hour. The thermostat setting and lights show the tub is still calling for heat, even at 70° but the pump needs to rest and cool down. Also, I think there is so much heat gathering in the pump assy that it tells the temp probe in the pump cavity that the temp of the water is much higher than it really is... water temp can be 70° and thermostat on pump pack is all the way up on high but control doesn’t turn on pump because it thinks water temp is too high... This new design is somewhat flawed. If I let it cool and run in cycles for days, maybe it will come up into the 100-104 range as all the components stabilize? Pump must have a thermal cutout though... brian in Mn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 Remove the filter. If it heats properly, get a new filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr fudd Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 greensoftub, did you ever solve the issue, I have a new resort 300, motor over heats in about 20 minutes, then after it cools for 30-40 minutes it turns on for another 20 minutes, rinse and repeat, it's frusterating, I did have a bad bearing, replaced it and replaced the impeller seal as that was leaking. I made sure the coil loop was free of obstructions, made sure water is flowing through it, the fan in the motor is in good condition, not sure what the issue is. not sure if the overheat switch goes bad, but it might not be because the back of the motor is too hot to touch. anyone else have other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suedani Posted July 6, 2022 Report Share Posted July 6, 2022 I have a Softub model t 220 which overheated to the point water was extremely hot and began to leak out of the seals on pipes. Is there a thermostat in this or does it need a new circuit board?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.