When talking about spa pumps there are two crucial parts to discuss: the motor and the wet end. The wet end, as the name describes, is the part of the pump that comes in contact with the water. The motor is the electric end which generates the power to move the water past the impeller and through the wet end of the pump. Hot tub pumps have four components to look at: the number of speeds, amp draw/power, frame and voltage.
The number of speeds of the hot tub motor is either a one speed or two speed motor. A two speed motor has a high and low speed setting, where as one speed only has one speed setting and is either off or on. In some cases a one speed pump can be replaced with a compatible two speed pump and only the high speed is used.
Horsepower is often up-rated by spa manufacturers for advertising reasons, and some hot tub manufacturers will label pumps with a break horsepower, start up horsepower, or other inflated number which does not represent the actual operating power of the pump. Because of this the best way to determine the true power of a pump is with the electrical amp draw listed on the sticker which may be labelled as "Amps" or "FLA". When replacing an existing motor, the new pump should have an electrical amp draw as close as possible to the original motor. The spa manufacturer has designed the electrical, plumbing and jets of your hot tub to work with that size of motor. Installing a pump with a larger amp draw than the original can cause electrical problems such as over loading or melting of the circuit board, tripping the GFCI breaker or fuses, voiding the electrical certification and water flow problems.
Spa motors generally come in one of two frame sizes, a 48 frame or a 56 frame. A 48 frame motor has 48 copper wires inside, and a 56 frame motor has 56. The frame size also impacts the bolt spacing and physical size of the motor. When replacing a motor it is critical to note the frame of your existing motor so the bolts will line up. If you are only replacing the wet end for your pump it is also vital to determine the frame of your motor as the wet end will not affix to the motor unless it’s the right frame size.
Knowing what voltage of electricity is powering your spa motor is very important. Many pumps are available in both 115 volts and 230 volt options. Ensure you are using a motor with the correct voltage as the hot tub and your electrical components have been designed for a specific voltage and the wrong voltage will not function correctly.
If you are trying to replace your spa motor be sure to match up the number of speeds, amps, frame, and voltage of your current motor to confirm you are getting a compatible replacement. Have questions about replacing your pump? Give us a call at 1-877-845-1993.