Gecko IN.XE intermittent no flow

[Hotubber]

Good day,

Iv been back and fourth to a customers place a few times lately with several different issues. This is a Hydropool 680 gold with a gecko IN.XE pack. One 2 speed pump and a dedicated low flow circulation pump. It’s the tiny Laing E14 pump with 1-1/2” size intake/discharge.

 

I had HL and no Flo codes intermittently as well as the startup initializing loop and also the error where the pack could not see the top side. Found bad capacitors and replaced the board. That fixed the initializing start up loop as well as the bad communication with top side error.

 

Now there’s an intermittent no flow code that happens what seems like randomly but never switches from heating to no flow while I’m around. 
 

The filter is not dirty in fact it happens with no filter. Seems like decent flow when it is flowing. And when it’s no flow condition the pump is not working at all.

 

Looking for help trouble shooting this issue. I’m away currently but decided to first check the connections at the pump for something loose when I can get back there. Any other advice on why it would stop pumping and heating randomly? The customer finds it around 96 with no flow then they find it heating up to temp at random times. 

[CanadianSpaTech]

https://geckoalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/9919-101313-D_Troubleshooting_Guide_YSERIES_XE_EN_REV_15_07_2023.pdf

[Hotubber]

2 hours ago, CanadianSpaTech said:

https://geckoalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/9919-101313-D_Troubleshooting_Guide_YSERIES_XE_EN_REV_15_07_2023.pdf

Thank you sir.

[Hotubber]

It mostly refers to replacing the board or heater tube which has been done, they are both brand new. Il go through everything else in a couple days and report back, though. Thanks

[CanadianSpaTech]

@HotTubber  Always found it a little F'd up that all the debris goes through the pump before getting filtered. It is a pressurized system so make sure all the jets are open especially seat #5 and question the customer and ask if they are closing some of them. I am not sure if there is a one way check valve in the system that could get sticky and restrict flow from time to time. Make sure the filter housing assembly lock ring is tight and the bleeder valve as well and not allowing air pockets into the system. Check the leaf basket (#2) for debris. It often gets overlooked. Check the front of the filter related pump/circ for debris.

 

[Hotubber]

6 hours ago, CanadianSpaTech said:

@HotTubber  Always found it a little F'd up that all the debris goes through the pump before getting filtered. It is a pressurized system so make sure all the jets are open especially seat #5 and question the customer and ask if they are closing some of them. I am not sure if there is a one way check valve in the system that could get sticky and restrict flow from time to time. Make sure the filter housing assembly lock ring is tight and the bleeder valve as well and not allowing air pockets into the system. Check the leaf basket (#2) for debris. It often gets overlooked. Check the front of the filter related pump/circ for debris.

 

Thanks for the info and great detail. I agree the design is odd in regards to flowing through the pump before filter. This one has the small Laing E14 circ pump. Customer had assured me jets are all open (I will confirm again once I’m there). Along with a brand new filter. There definitely is not a check valve in this hot tub, Iv been all over it in the past while changing out the foot plate. 
 

By the sounds of it the pump is either circulating just fine or not at all. Maybe loose termination at pump. But when I’m back in a week or so il update with all my findings. Iv rebuilt many pumps but not the Laing ones- not too familiar with them yet. This customer loves the hot tub but it unfortunately has some annoying quirks. Iv ironed out most of them at this point. It will be -20-30 soon so heating issues are no bueno. 
 

Thanks again for the advice. Have a great day. 

[CanadianSpaTech]

17 hours ago, Hotubber said:

rebuilt many pumps but not the Laing

I just replace. 

If it has a waterfall connected to the circ line watch it for intermittent flow. I have a job today where you can see the waterfall start and stop every so often (not a Hydropool... Clearwater Spa). The circ is running long enough for the heater to fully engage and then it might run for a couple of hours or a couple of minutes. I was lucky enough to have the customer see this happen while on the phone. The Laing pumps are a magnetic drive and notorious for start and stop operation as they wear out. There could be debris at the impeller and will check that first but I will likely just replace it with new in the end. If you can get the circ out and remove the front faceplate power the spa back up and visually see the impeller and how it is working.   

[Hotubber]

I replace the pump and it was warn. It’s not the issue, though. The hot tub will heat until pump 1 turns on then it stops. 
 

if I hit the pump 1 button heater and filtration are suspended.  Are there dip switches like a balboa on these geckos to stop the circ pump from working if pump 1 is on? 
 

Everytime I start again it heats until the pump 1 turns on.

low level configuration set to 2.

there’s a small circ pump and a 2 speed pump one.

[CanadianSpaTech]

17 hours ago, Hotubber said:

low level configuration set to 2.

You might have to find the correct LL programming codes for that exact pack and revision number. Hydropool might have their own LL number codes. Or... Try different numbers until you get one that works. If that doesn't work not sure where you go from here. Let us know if you figure it out