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wiring the pumps???

September 21st, 2005 · 3 Comments

I have an old spa that I am trying to put back together. I have no
knowledge of the plumbing of a spa yet. I have 2 pumps, a heater
and ofcourse the tub. The first thing that I figure that I need to
know is how to hook up the pumps, and which directtion they flow.
Once I got power to them, I think how they flow will be self
evident. The problem is how they are wired. one pump has a white,
black and green wire. The other have 2 reds and a green. Ive
determined that the green must be the ground. When the black and
white on the first is plugged into an ac power source, the motor
hums, but doesnt turn. Switching either one with the green one
yeilds no result. The same is true on the second. When both reds
are plugged in it also hums. Switching either with the green gives
nothing. Any ideas?

Tags: pumps

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Neva Marjory // Sep 22, 2005 at 3:08 pm

    There are lots of possibilities and questions here…
    What country are you in, and what voltage are you connecting them too?
    Are there any rating plates on them? If so, what do they say?
    Being spa motors and quite small it is unlikely that these are 3
    phase or 415v motors, but they could well be two speed…
    Is there a switch box or any electronics attached to them?
    Can you measure the current being drawn when the motor “hums”?
    How did you determine that the green was Earth? Could you see that it
    was connected to the frame or chassis?
    Did you measure the winding resistance of the wires you connected to
    power? They are probably isolated from the ground (Earth) or you’d
    have blown a trip or fuse but did you check?
    Most AC motors require a capacitor, a silver or black cylinder, in
    appearance. Do these motors have one fitted?
    You’ve probably “bitten off more than you can chew” with this one,

    but I admire your confidence!
    Steve.

  • 2 Neva Marjory // Sep 26, 2005 at 4:31 pm

    I’d agree with Kens assessment of the purpose of the wires, and the
    point about checking the spindle spins freely is a good one.
    Be careful!

  • 3 Jennie Mitchell // Sep 29, 2005 at 4:44 am

    One suggestion I haven’t seen mentioned. If you inadvertently move the
    wires so the motor is wired for 240, it will hum. If you spin it by hand,
    it may start. I did this when I replaced the cord to my pump — it only
    takes one wire moved from one terminal to the one beside it, easy enough to
    do.
    Harry

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