Sudden, Dramatic Increase In Hot Tub Temperature

[gordholio99]

Hey everyone:

Okay, for some bizarre reason, my hot tub temperature suddenly (in the span of a day or two) increased from 104 degrees to 122 degrees. Yes, 122!!

Does anyone know why something like that would happen? It's an old pump/motor (12 years or more), so having something go wrong was expected, but this seems very weird.

Thanks very much in advance to anyone who replies.

gord

[quantumchromodynamics]

The thermostat is not working correctly. It is not turning the heater off at the set temperature. The high limit switch is a backup safety that turns off the heater at about 120 F.

Check that the thermostat probe is fully inside the bulb well.

[gordholio99]

Quantum, thank you!! Sounds totally reasonable.

Just went back out there and noticed the motor itself is also leaking. Wonder if a rapid rise in temp had something to do with it. All I know is that this motor is loud as heck and has cost me a couple hundred dollars over the past couple of years. Methinks it's time to get a new one.

BTW, would anyone know if a temp of 122 would destroy any of the seals within the hot tub insulation? I think I would cry out loud if I got a new motor, thinking it would give me a few more years of relatively maintenance free hot tub use, only to find out I have to spend a ton more money digging into the tub surround to repair another leak(s).

gordo

[Dnepr Dave]

122 degrees isn't very hot for the materials that the hot tub is made from, it's just hot for people.

I wouldn't worry about that temperature damaging your tub.

Dave