Jacuzzi Echo Z-145
2000 model
230V
Balboa R574 electronics

Current problem: No heat, no jets

Background:
Several months ago forum members helped me to troubleshoot a bad pressure switch. The hot tub ran fine after that until a week or so ago except that it seems to run more often now. It runs 2-3 times per hour for a couple minutes vs maybe once every 1-2 hrs. Maybe it's my imagination and the switch was just broken for longer than I thought.

Anyway....now I have power to the control panel (121V measured at two terminals) but no jets and no heat. The GFCI had tripped. I reset it. The fuse was showing 121 V to the left side and zero to the right side. I replaced the fuse (SC-25 replaced with identical fuse) based on info from the forum. I plugged the disconnect in and after about 2 seconds, the unit started up. It ran for about 5 seconds and shut off again. No power to the right side of the fuse again. How do I figure out what's blowing the fuse?

The temp display is accurate. When I push the temp up/down button, it will allow me to adjust the set temp. The light comes on when I hit the button, but no jets.

Any help appreciated, it's getting cold out.

Your pump is fried.

Try putting in another fuse, remove the pump plug...
It'll do nothing of course, but that's usually most common thing to blow that fuse.

Great photo btw.

Ok, so I unplug the power plug going to the pump. Then I put in a new fuse. If the fuse doesn't blow, I've isolated the problem, right?

Now, it looks like the pump and motor are one unit. Do I have to replace them both or can I get just a pump? Are there popular upgrades or better brands or should I just get an identical replacement?

Here's what I do with every single one of these things: http://spapartsnet.com/Spa-Pumps/PABCD10S_533_1_1.html Click on the 'Other Images' next to pump photo... The union fittings to do the change over are here: http://spapartsnet.com/Plumbing-Parts/P... 5_1_1.html fittings are pricey but when it's done you'll never have to worry about finding parts for it.

Is this upgrade to a more reliable or more powerful pump? What are the advantages? Are the connections just typical plumbing stuff?

Not really much advantage to going more powerful. If yours is a 1HP, then you really should replace it with a 1hp. The long term advantage with a swap out like this is that waterway wet ends are easy to get, and easy to get impellers and seals for. Most popular wet end on the planet.

The new unions just screw in. I use permatex number 2 on the threads and it's done in a few minutes.

Any other sources for these parts out there? Unions are apparently on backorder. thanks!

Anyone know if the replacement pump should be 1 hp or 1.5 hp. I think I already had this conversation but I can't remember. Getting ready to order the replacement pump.