Chapter ONE Pump & Motors
Overview:
There can be confusion; What’s a pump? What’s a motor? Are they the same?
The “
pump
” is considered by many to be the complete pump/motor and by
others only the end where the water passes through. The “wetend” is the more
common word for the end that moves the water. For the industry, “pump” and
“wetend” are the same. “Motor” is JUST the motor. “Pump/Motor Complete”
would be both already assembled. In most cases, “complete” does not mean with
a new cord.
I. Circulation Pump (see more later)
Most Gatsby built spas used either the less common 115v small circulation pump
or the more common 230v circulation pump. This pump runs 24/7. It avails the
homeowner with a system that keeps water clean by constant filtering.
Most common is full replacement of failed circulation pumps, not replacing
internal parts.
II. Jet Pump
Your spa will have one or two jet pumps. The pump motor can either by 115v or
230v. Also it can be one or two speed. Plus, to complicate, there are two pump
styles and a variety of pump horsepower. So how do you tell what you have?
First, your pump is either center or side discharge. 1.5hp pumps can be either
center or side. All others are side. Center discharge means the top discharge is
in the middle of the pump. Side discharge means your output of the pump is on
the side. Most pumps are side discharge but check.
Next is pump’s horsepower. As a rule of thumb, the horsepower rating must be
equal or less than the motor’s rating. If the pump is oversized for the motor, it
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