Smaller HP pump hurt anything or just less performance?

[homespaguy]

Long story short, had a 6 person spa for 15 years until the frame got rotten, leaks, needed a cover, and finally lightning hit the controller.  I had just put a new pump in 2 months ago.  I got a 2000 3-person LA Spa to replace it.  I had trouble getting the new one up to temperature without tripping the GFCI.  I attributed this to just startup issues from sitting/bad controller (there is another post about this).  It went 18 days without tripping once it got up to temp, but yesterday I found it was the pump causing it.

So I had a practically new 115V 1.5HP pump on hand.  After I got it out, the LA Spa had a 230V 3HP pump.  The voltage was easy with just swapping 1 wire.  I put it in so I didn't have to drain it.  This morning sitting in it the jets are not as strong on high as before but I kind of like it that way.  I don't really need a bunch of violent jets, just hot water moving around makes me happy.  It appears I am going from 210GPM to 155 GPM on high.

So the question is, does it hurt anything to have a pump that is half the horsepower or will I just have less jet performance than before? I could see doubling the HP might cause issues, but I don't see where halving it will.

 

[cranbiz]

It will affect the jet performance, which you already knew. The only thing that I might be worried about would be enough flow for the flow switch. I don't think it's enough difference to have issues but it's something to watch.

[RDspaguy]

It should be fine.