Max A Posted January 19 Report Posted January 19 Hi, I have old Jacuzzi J-385 which was installed by previous owner of the house. I was able to clean it up and get it working. It still runs well overall, except there is 2-speed pump there that only works on high speed. I don't know much about hot tubs, but it seems to me this is also how circulation also supposed to run. I hear some sound when it's on, like "hmmmmm", but nothing else. When I switch to higher speed, it works. Other two pumps work fine, they seem to be single speed though. The model number of the pump is Emerson t55mwcce-1208. I don't have much of knowledge or skill in this area, but if it's something simple to try to diagnose or fix, I would. I thought it could be air lock, but couldn't execute the procedure I found on youtube, the plastic nut attaching the water tube was too tight to turn it with my hands, and I didn't try to use any tools yet. Thank you, Max. Quote
CanadianSpaTech Posted January 19 Report Posted January 19 Sounds like the start capacitor is weak/bad. Once you get it running in high speed will the low speed then work? Quote
Max A Posted January 20 Author Report Posted January 20 @CanadianSpaTech, no I can't get low speed working even after high speed starts. Quote
CanadianSpaTech Posted January 20 Report Posted January 20 Ok do you have a multi meter and know how to se it to test for power coming off the circuit board? Post photos of the circuit board and the schematic on the inside cover Quote
Max A Posted January 21 Author Report Posted January 21 Thank you for responding. I have multimeter and will try to do this on Friday. Couple newbie questions: It's probably easier for me to measure it at the pump itself vs. circuit board due to access. I assume it doesn't matter. I assume I should expect DC current? Thank you. Quote
CanadianSpaTech Posted January 21 Report Posted January 21 14 hours ago, CanadianSpaTech said: Post photos of the circuit board and the schematic on the inside cover I would test for AC power coming off/at the board when pump 1 low should be running. You might have a failed pump 1 low relay. Disconnect pump 1 from the board. Disconnect pump 2 from board. Connect pump 1 low speed into pump 2 on board (leave the extra wire for high speed hanging). Turn on pump 2... Does the pump run in low speed? If yes you likely have a bad low speed relay for pump 1. If no you have an issue at the pump and likely a bad start capacitor or other issues with the pump. If you post the photos I can direct you better if needed. Quote
Max A Posted January 24 Author Report Posted January 24 @CanadianSpaTech I was able to do these tests today, reporting results. I saw the voltage 240V on circuit board. I tried to switch connections between this pump and other one. Other pump still ran fine, and this low speed still didn't run. Am I right that conclusion from this is that problem is with pump, and it needs to be replaced? Is it DIY kind of job? I saw this pump on the internet. I put it back as it was before but now, I'm thinking, maybe I should have left it switched until issue resolved, because I have a feeling that this low speed is serving as circulation pump, but I'm not sure about it. Quote
CanadianSpaTech Posted January 25 Report Posted January 25 14 hours ago, Max A said: it needs to be replaced When you have the spa where it should be running in low speed remove the dust cover at the back of the motor right dead center at the back end you will see the shaft of the motor. It will have a slot in it for a flat head screwdriver can fit. Give the shaft a spin and see if it starts up. If you have a weak start cap you can usually kick start low speed. Usually there will be a hum if it is struggling to start and spinning the shaft will help it along. If you have correct power coming off the board in each speed then next test it at the back of the pump where the wires connect to the pump and verify you have correct power in each speed. If you do then replacement is likely. Yes you can DIY the replacement. Suggest you buy a oil filter wrench to make disconnecting the plumbing. You will have to drain the spa to do the replacement. https://www.amazon.ca/TOOLEAGUE-Adjustable-Filter-Removal-Filters/dp/B0CXM2PJ47/ref=asc_df_B0CXM2PJ47/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=706745692945&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15998523503888696476&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9211975&hvtargid=pla-2308029373126&mcid=973279c3da743d6db1876e706666a8c8&gad_source=1&th=1 1 Quote
Max A Posted January 26 Author Report Posted January 26 Not sure if I doing what I am suppose to. I removed couple screws (see attached picture) but couldn't remove this cover. It's stuck, and I'm afraid to apply too much force. Is this dust cover? Additional note is couple times it didn't start right away even on high speed, but then it did. On low speed it didn't. Quote
CanadianSpaTech Posted January 26 Report Posted January 26 No Just below the copper wire at left in the middle of the motor there should be a plastic dust cap and the motor shaft is behind it. The 2 black humps are the start capacitor ad the run capacitor. Be careful with the caps as they hold a charge. Quote
saunaguy Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Sounds like the low-speed side of your pump might be dead, which is pretty common over time. Since it’s still making a humming noise, the issue could be a bad capacitor, a stuck relay, or a failed low-speed winding in the motor. You could try tapping the pump lightly with a rubber mallet while it’s supposed to be running on low sometimes that frees up a stuck component. If you’re comfortable with basic electrical work, you could check if the capacitor is bulging or replace it . However, if it’s a relay issue, that would be inside the control board and a bit trickier to fix. Also, if you suspect an airlock, you’ll probably need a wrench to loosen the fitting just be gentle to avoid cracking anything. If none of these solutions work, replacing the pump might be the easiest long-term fix. Quote
Max A Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 @CanadianSpaTech, @saunaguy Thank you for responding. Considering that switching pumps make one run and other doesn't, I'm coming to conclusion that it's pump (or some part of it, whatever it's there, like capacitor). It was very cold week (Pacific North), and I was busy at work to experiment more. I'm also not really good with anything without very clear instructions that I could follow Anyway, my thoughts are to leave it as is for now because the hot tub is still usable, the water heats up to the target temperature. I think I might buy new pump when it gets warmer outside and will try to replace it, and if I fail with that attempt, I will look for a professional to take it from there. But the prices in this area are high, I want to try to save few bucks and try myself first. Quote
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