Leaking Ozone Generator
- Thread starter NorthernMonkey
- Start date
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,950
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Need more info. Is the pump on, off, or doesn't matter? Is it on a circulation or jet pump?
The orange-ish hose is the vacuum tube, which should have a check valve, a loop above water level, and a mazzei valve where it connects to the larger water hose. The mazzei has a built-in check valve as well.
To get water in your ozone generator requires the failure of both the mazzei and check valve as well as a high (only for a moment) water level or fallen (or non-existent) loop. This will only leak when pump is off.
Or there is a flow restriction causing the mazzei to become pressurized, which will only leak when the pump is on.
If the vacuum hose goes directly to a jet remove the ozone system as these are ineffective and problematic. Otherwise, I highly recommend ozone.
The orange-ish hose is the vacuum tube, which should have a check valve, a loop above water level, and a mazzei valve where it connects to the larger water hose. The mazzei has a built-in check valve as well.
To get water in your ozone generator requires the failure of both the mazzei and check valve as well as a high (only for a moment) water level or fallen (or non-existent) loop. This will only leak when pump is off.
Or there is a flow restriction causing the mazzei to become pressurized, which will only leak when the pump is on.
If the vacuum hose goes directly to a jet remove the ozone system as these are ineffective and problematic. Otherwise, I highly recommend ozone.
If it was me, I'd kink & tie the lines and disconnect it from the spa pack. And never notice it was gone.
That's a poor solution. If you're going to remove it then remove it all and avoid future issues with it instead of creating them.
If you never notice the difference then your spa has a crappy ozone system. They are not all created equal, and for many years manufacturers were putting in ozone generators without the necessary plumbing to utilize it correctly as a marketing ploy due to the success of the big-name ozone systems at the time (hot springs, sundance, D1). These not only do not work, but they damage the spa cover, pillows, etc. A good ozone system will definitely make a noticeable difference, and if you understand what it does then you know the day after it burns out that it burned out.
I don't disagree that plugging the lines permanently is ideal-- if removing --but we both know the challenge that is likely to be for a typical DIY. The plug sizing can be tough to ascertain and find components for, and meanwhile the "water pouring out" can be quickly stopped if the lines are pulled and kinked.
I will also concede that out of our several hundred acrylic spas, a minority are residential. Perhaps we haven't given it chance there, but the overwhelming majority are STR, and Ozone is a fart in a hurricane with them. We lean heavily on manual mastery of the chemistry in anticipation of abuse.
I stated it truthfully; removing it is what I would do. I dislike Ozone and UV systems. The only substance they've provided us or our clients are repair jobs.
But the great thing about this forum are the various perspectives on solutions.
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Yeah, I've run a maintenance route in Tahoe, and I agree with you there. Not much can keep up with that kind of abuse.
I understand. I advised the same for many years, until I started hanging on to a few flip-tubs long enough to deal with chemistry myself. Didn't take long for me to see the difference on a 24/7 system. But I explain it and offer customers the option, and many choose to not repair it. No skin off my butt, I don't sell parts anyway.
But a plugged mazzei valve is a flow restriction and a kinked hose is a stagnant biofilm haven. If you're not using it, get rid of it.