Spa Pump Motor Tripping Circuit Breaker

[303Michael]

My spa tripped my circuit breaker this week and I think I narrowed it down to the pump motor. I disconnected the two motors and the heater from the board and the circuit pops when that motor is connected. Would it be worth trying to troubleshoot and fix the pump motor or should I just order a new one? I'm guessing it'll be around 300 for the new one but I'd hate to replace it and find out it was something easy or something else I missed.

Bonus question: I also managed to break off one of the heater element connectors while trying to test it so that was great. Any reason I can't replace just the element and not the entire assembly tube? It says it's a 4kw 15" 2x2"

 

[RDspaguy]

From the looks of it, that motor has been getting wet for a while. I would find the leak, likely the shaft seal, and fix it. Then see if it works once it dries out. Motors can trip a breaker from internal damage, but it is rare and usually blows a fuse. A wet motor will trip the gfci without damaging the fuse.
If that sounds like a bigger project than you want to undertake, then get a new pump.

 

[CuckooChris]

Bonus question: I also managed to break off one of the heater element connectors while trying to test it so that was great. Any reason I can't replace just the element and not the entire assembly tube? It says it's a 4kw 15" 2x2"
[/QUOTE]

Yes, just replace the element. No need to replace the tube.

 

[RDspaguy]

Be sure the new element does not touch the side of the tube and use a wrench on the terminal post when tightening the terminal nut to avoid twisting the post.

 

[303Michael]

From the looks of it, that motor has been getting wet for a while. I would find the leak, likely the shaft seal, and fix it. Then see if it works once it dries out. Motors can trip a breaker from internal damage, but it is rare and usually blows a fuse. A wet motor will trip the gfci without damaging the fuse.
If that sounds like a bigger project than you want to undertake, then get a new pump.

Thank you for taking the time to give me some feedback. The leak is a slow drip from the heater tube union that's above the motor. It's possible that contributed to the short. In full disclosure, and I'm embarrassed to admit it, I let the water run low a couple of weeks ago and found it had tripped the breaker then. I filled it back up and turned it back on without issue at the time but I'm assuming that may have contributed to the issue I'm dealing with now. I didn't see any blown fuses on the board and I'm not sure where else one might be. I'll probably order the new pump and heater and see if I get lucky drying it out while I'm waiting. Thanks again!

Yes, just replace the element. No need to replace the tube.

Be sure the new element does not touch the side of the tube and use a wrench on the terminal post when tightening the terminal nut to avoid twisting the post.

Thank you both for the feedback on the heater.