My 2HP spa air blower turns on for a few minutes and then turns off but does not produce bubbles in the spa. I assume it is turning off as a safety feature as it will turn back on several minutes later. A snake was used to check for blockage and very little water discoloration occurred. A 150 PSI compressor generated about 10PSI that resulted in about 60-75% of bubbles. A 3HP vacuum was used that made ridiculous amount of bubbles. The amount of airflow from the 3HP vacuum is significantly more than the 2HP spa air blower. The outlet of each is a bit different so it isn't exact science but there's an obvious difference in air flow at the hand and in the spa. Do the spa blowers lose efficiency? Do they stop producing as much air? Can I replace with a 3HP motor? I don't believe I need a specific brand?
SPA Air Blower Blown?
- Thread starter sagosto
- Start date
There is often a check valve in-line with the air from the blower to the spa to prevent water from entering the blower assembly. I would check the check valve first (they can fail in a variety of ways), assuming there is no visible damage to the blower or the motor.
It might be turning off due to overheating (from the check valve not opening enough?). I had one trip a GFCI years ago due to water getting into the housing, but that would not reset itself.
It might be turning off due to overheating (from the check valve not opening enough?). I had one trip a GFCI years ago due to water getting into the housing, but that would not reset itself.
Last edited:
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,858
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
How old is your 2HP blower? Has it worked before?
You can replace it with a 3HP blower. Brand doesn't matter. A 3HP may be too powerful for your setup and blow water out of your spa.
You can replace it with a 3HP blower. Brand doesn't matter. A 3HP may be too powerful for your setup and blow water out of your spa.
I am not sure how old. I checked for dates on it but I can't find any. After using the compressor, I have bubbles again but not as much as before. I'd say 80%? But, after a few minutes, it just shuts off. Before air compressor, I had 0 bubbles. I am at a loss here because the amount of air being pumped out as measured by my hand is MUCH less than the 3HP. I think the 3HP is too much or would just cover up the blockage which I am assuming.
How do you know how much bubbles is adequate? Is it possible the 2HP motor doesn't produce as much air? I assumed it either worked or didn't work.
How do you know how much bubbles is adequate? Is it possible the 2HP motor doesn't produce as much air? I assumed it either worked or didn't work.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,858
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Blowers have a thermal shutoff if the motor overheats.
Some folks with the problem have had success by venting some air so that the blower doesn’t overheat. Either installing a T with a valve under the blower or drilling holes in the pipe to vent some air.
Some folks with the problem have had success by venting some air so that the blower doesn’t overheat. Either installing a T with a valve under the blower or drilling holes in the pipe to vent some air.
The cover and filter are off and it still shuts off. The air isn’t coming out as much as it did before or should. That’s my concern
Update. It started today and bubbled well for 30 minutes and then just shut off. I am going to replace it. Do they make a variable speed blowers? I don't want to get 3HP and have it produce a too much.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,858
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
There is not a VS blower. You can create a variable pressure blower by putting a T and a valve under the blower.
Look at this pic and the T under the blower. It has some type of pressure relief valve sticking out.
www.troublefreepool.com
I would try the T and valve before you replace the blower.
Look at this pic and the T under the blower. It has some type of pressure relief valve sticking out.
Air in pump
Hi I have an in ground pool with Zodiac Tri, Hayward 1.5 Hp super pump II and hayward filter. I have a check valve between pump outlet and filter, and a closed tap on the filter waste pipe. I checked the check valve and it is not blocked. When I finish a filter cycle, there will come one big...
www.troublefreepool.com
I would try the T and valve before you replace the blower.
There is not a VS blower. You can create a variable pressure blower by putting a T and a valve under the blower.
Look at this pic and the T under the blower. It has some type of pressure relief valve sticking out.
Air in pump
Hi I have an in ground pool with Zodiac Tri, Hayward 1.5 Hp super pump II and hayward filter. I have a check valve between pump outlet and filter, and a closed tap on the filter waste pipe. I checked the check valve and it is not blocked. When I finish a filter cycle, there will come one big...
I would try the T and valve before you replace the blower.
This would allow me to try a 3HP and reduce air flow if necessary. But, why would I try using the T/Valve now when I have a lack of bubbles and the motor constantly turns off?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 64,858
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You said it bubbled for 30 minutes before it turned off in post #7. The blower is overheating from too much backpressure. Vent some air and you may get bubbles without overheating.
I would rather try a $20 fix before the $150 fix.
Try running the blower by itself without the water pump running. If the blower doesn't overheat when running by itself then the blower itself is fine.
If you have a variable speed pump, try turning the speed down a bit as this helps reduce back pressure on the blower.
Make sure all the jets are assembled correctly and have no blockages.
Lastly you can try removing a few jets from the wall to see if that makes the blower run longer.
If the blower is overheating, it really only can be one of a few things: Not enough openings for the air, back pressure due to water pump being too powerful, or back pressure due to water jet issues allowing water to get back into the air line. Beyond that, if it's a really old blower then some insulation could be stuck in the motor, or some internal parts / the thermal protector could be bad. Let me know the results when you run the above tests.
Hope this helps!
If you have a variable speed pump, try turning the speed down a bit as this helps reduce back pressure on the blower.
Make sure all the jets are assembled correctly and have no blockages.
Lastly you can try removing a few jets from the wall to see if that makes the blower run longer.
If the blower is overheating, it really only can be one of a few things: Not enough openings for the air, back pressure due to water pump being too powerful, or back pressure due to water jet issues allowing water to get back into the air line. Beyond that, if it's a really old blower then some insulation could be stuck in the motor, or some internal parts / the thermal protector could be bad. Let me know the results when you run the above tests.
Hope this helps!
The pool is finally open and I replaced the blower with a Puri Tech Silent Twister Outdoor Spa Blower 2hp 240v (PRT2002403) and I have bubbles galore. Instead of trying to troubleshoot it, it was just easier to replace the older bubbler. Hopefully my journey help someone.