Spa Jet Insert Fell Off

[travelfeedsthesoul]

Hello,

I just stepped outside and noticed one of my jet inserts at the bottom of the spa floor.

We had some 28-32 degree weather here in Sugar Land, TX for a couple of nights so I'm not sure if that caused any issues.

Is this something I can just screw back into the jet? It seems like there is threading on the wall side and on the insert.

Thanks,
Neil

 

[ajw22]

Fetch it out if the spa and post a pic of the insert that fell out.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

Thanks Allen. Here you go.

Water was cold so I initially thought I'd have to get in to grab it..but it worked pretty easy with a brush.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

Closer view of side

 

[ajw22]

It should screw back in.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

It should screw back in.

Yeah I thought so too.

Can you think of any reason why it would fall out in the first place?

Since I'm under warranty, I want to make sure it's not something the PB needs to correct to ensure it's not a recurring issue.

 

[ajw22]

FYI… that is from Aquastar…

aquastarpoolproducts

www.aquastarpoolproducts.com

 

[ajw22]

Aquastar has a nut wrench to grip the tabs and screw and unscrew the fittings. Your Pool Builder should have given you at least one…

AquaStar Flush Retrofit Eyeball - 1-1/2 Inch MPT JO101

This is a Flush Retrofit Eyeball Fitting with 1-1/2 MPT threads in the color white. This fitting threads into 1-1/2 inch FPT. The fitting includes wrench, retrofit nut, retrofit socket, 1/2 inch eyeball and 1 inch eyeball. Fitting fits flush inside flush mounting fittings.This retrofit fitting...

www.poolweb.com

 

[ajw22]

Yeah I thought so too.

Can you think of any reason why it would fall out in the first place?

Since I'm under warranty, I want to make sure it's not something the PB needs to correct to ensure it's not a recurring issue.

If it screws right back in you are good.

See if your PB has a nut wrench for it to give you.

 

[kul]

I have a similar one and had an issue with part #2, 3, and 4 falling out. I was able to screw it right back in. Thanks @ajw22 for posting the pieces. I’m not sure what makes it pop out @travelfeedsthesoul perhaps it just wasn’t snug enough

 

[kul]

Since I'm under warranty

I recommend just checking in with them to confirm what happened in case it happens in the future. Or maybe just hand tighten them now and then if loosening is the culprit.

 

[RDspaguy]

I've run into this in inground tubs. The heater and pump is often oversized for the spa, and a low flow condition can result in overly hot water in the pipes. The threads on the fitting are the thinest part, and therefore the first to warp, and the excessive pressure behind the jets pushes them out. It is most common on the heated jet closest to the equipment, which also usually has the most pressure. It can happen in pools too if the heater is improperly sized to the flow rate, which is usually after an "upgrade". But the spas plumbing and fittings are themselves more restrictive than the pools. You will notice the heater "cycling", or turning on and off every few minutes, if this is happening.
The solution, if this is the cause, is a smaller btu heater or more returns in the spa.

 

[ajw22]

The solution, if this is the cause, is a smaller btu heater or more returns in the spa.

If you have a VS pump then increasing the flow rate will reduce the heater temperature rise and the output temperature at the jets.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

I've run into this in inground tubs. The heater and pump is often oversized for the spa, and a low flow condition can result in overly hot water in the pipes. The threads on the fitting are the thinest part, and therefore the first to warp, and the excessive pressure behind the jets pushes them out. It is most common on the heated jet closest to the equipment, which also usually has the most pressure. It can happen in pools too if the heater is improperly sized to the flow rate, which is usually after an "upgrade". But the spas plumbing and fittings are themselves more restrictive than the pools. You will notice the heater "cycling", or turning on and off every few minutes, if this is happening.
The solution, if this is the cause, is a smaller btu heater or more returns in the spa.

We didn't turn on our heater during the recent cold, but we've done it throughout the winter when outside temps were around 50 degrees or so.

If we set the Spa temp to 102, isn't it normal for the heater to turn on/off or "cycle" to keep the temperature near the set 102?

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

If you have a VS pump then increasing the flow rate will reduce the heater temperature rise and the output temperature at the jets.

We do have a VS pump. Do I increase the flow rate by just upping the RPM? Should this be a setting or schedule for when the heater is running only?

My PB set all my equipment and schedules and it's a bit daunting to mess with all the different settings.

 

[ajw22]

What RPMs is your VS pump set for?

Your signature tells me all about your stone but not about your pool equipment. Please update it to what pump models, automation, filter, etc.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

What RPMs is your VS pump set for?

Your signature tells me all about your stone but not about your pool equipment. Please update it to what pump models, automation, filter, etc.

Oh yeah you've mentioned this before. I plan on getting the sig updated.

It's set at max speed of 3500...but I'm not sure where I can check for the speed schedule, specifically for what speed it would run when the heater is on.

 

[RDspaguy]

we set the Spa temp to 102, isn't it normal for the heater to turn on/off or "cycle" to keep the temperature near the set 102?

It should heat to set temp without turning off, then should not turn on again until the temp has dropped a degree or more, which should take a while. If it runs a few minutes then shuts off a few minutes then runs again, it is cycling from insufficient water flow through the heater causing the heater to overheat.

 

[travelfeedsthesoul]

It should heat to set temp without turning off, then should not turn on again until the temp has dropped a degree or more, which should take a while. If it runs a few minutes then shuts off a few minutes then runs again, it is cycling from insufficient water flow through the heater causing the heater to overheat.

Yes, that's what I was attempting to say. It's behaving normal...heats up all the way to the set temp, and then turns off. Once the water temp drops a little, the heater turns back on to increase temp back to set temp.

It doesn't ever cycle in how you described it so I don't think that's the problem.