Tips for installing your new pump

1. Before you wire the new motor, look at the wiring diagram on the side of the pump. (Fig.1)

Fig. 1: Pump Motor Wiring Diagram

2. Determine where each of the wires connects to. Since you have already labelled the wires on your pump cord, you should easily be able to decide which terminal you are connecting each color wire. 

Bring the cord ends into the wiring compartment, then connect each to their corresponding terminal.

3. Close up the wiring compartment and secure it with the included screws. Double-check your work, an incorrectly wired cord can cause major damage to the new motor and your control pack.

4. Most full-sized Hot Tub pumps have the option to rotate the wet end. If your new pump’s wet end is positioned exactly like your old one, skip this portion and move on to the next step.

If your new wet end needs to be rotated to match, you will need to do this before you place the pump into the equipment location. Most pumps have 3 possible positions. (Fig.1) Some exceptions to this exist, however, the principles are the same.

Wet ends attach to the motor in two ways. The impeller shaft and what are called “through bolts”.

When simply rotating the wet end, it is not necessary to open the wet end or be concerned with the motor shaft or the impeller.

5. Most pumps will have four through bolts that run from the very back of the motor casing though the motor and screw into the wet end. (Fig.2)

Use a nut driver or socket and loosen the 4 through bolts at the back of the motor. Pull them slightly out, but not all the way.

6. Hold the motor with one hand and the wet end with the other. 

Slightly pull wet end away from motor and turn to the proper alignment.

7. Once in the general location, line up the female threading of the brass inserts on the wet end with the through bolts.

At the back of the motor, push the through bolts in until they touch the wet end.

8. Use a nut driver or socket wrench to screw them back into the wet end. 

Do not overtighten, screw them in until snug only. Overtightening can damage the wet end.

9. Now that your pump cord is connected, and the wet end is positioned properly, it's time to install.

Its beneficial to first clean / sweep up the area where the new pump will sit.

Place the pump in the new location.

10. Check the unions (female nut) for any debris or gunk, clean out with damp rag if necessary.

Check the gaskets on the unions. if they are flattened, cracked or brittle, replace both.  (Fig.1)

11. If you replaced or cleaned up the gaskets, use a small amount of O-ring Lubricant (Fig.2)

Place the gaskets into the union and gently position pump against the plumbing.

12. Screw on the unions and hand tighten as much as possible. Avoid using pliers for this part, the Gasket/O-ring should press against the intake/discharge of the wet end stopping any leaking. 

 Once unions / plumbing is secured properly, reinstall the motor bracket bolts or screws to anchor the pump to the floor of the equipment compartment.

13. Plug your pump cord into the proper receptacle on the spa control pack.

At this point, you should be ready to either open the isolation valves or fill the spa with new water.

14. After the valves are open, or the spa begins to fill, watch both unions closely for any leaking. If any leaking is found, tighten the unions further.  If leaking still occurs, you may have damage to the unions or the gasket may not be seated properly.  Recheck your work. 

15. Whether you are replacing a pump or refilling a spa, it's important to be sure the pump is primed properly.

Always fill from the skimmer if possible. Placing your fill hose in the skimmer ensures the plumbing and pump wet ends are filled with water before the rest of the tub.  This will lower the possibility of causing an air gap that can prevent the pump from properly priming.

16. Once the spa is filled and any isolation valves are open, slightly unscrew the intake union. You should see water begin to leak out.  

Once the leaking starts, retighten the union. This will break an “air lock” and allow water from the tub to gravity feed into the pump wet end. 

17. Turn on the breaker to the spa.

Engage the pump.

Watch to see if the jets engage and water is flowing normally.

18. If the pump is running but you see no flow from jets or returns, shut down the pump and repeat the process of loosening the union until water begins to flow out.

19. Be sure to check for leaks both while pump is running and when in the off position. Make sure to check both unions and beneath the pump between the motor and the wet end. 

20. Clean up the work area, reinstall the side panel(s), and set your temperature.