Hot Tub Pump Humming? Not Turning? You Need to Change the Startup Capacitor

[@john-v8e9w]

Thanks for making this video. I changed my start-up capacitor (30 micro-Farads) and now my 18 year old spa is starting up great! Just $15 to fix - WOW!

[@Buildahottub]

Glad it helped

[@hillzing314]

Got my hot tub heater running again in freezing temps with this vid and $5 and change. Big thanks!

[@Buildahottub]

Fantastic!

[@sailingpax5846]

Thanks! Saved me buying the whole pump. Much appreciated!

[@caitlinclarke9990]

This is the only video that has explained my exact problem. Pump works in high speed and I can get low to jump start if I switch fast enough. Thanks so much!

[@Buildahottub]

Glad it helped! Thanks for the comment - Andi

[@christrites4251]

This is exactly what my Balboa 2hp pump is doing. I replaced the capacitor on the the top of the motor but its still doing the same. I think I have to look for the start-up capacitor if there is one. Thx.

[@gdavis316]

Thank you, the best video on this I've seen!

[@Buildahottub]

+Will Davis thanks for the comment! Cheers - Andi

[@ginpok6640]

Nut driver should be the tool of choice when Rem & Replc

[@carlsiren]

Really great walkthrough 👍

[@Buildahottub]

Thank you 👍

[@andrecard3462]

Good afternoon..I'm going to try to make a spa on my existing pool...my biggest concern is the actual plumbing and can I actual get a lay of the plumbing if it's possible

[@Buildahottub]

Hi Andre, do you want to drop me an email and we can discuss your requirements and how I can help you? Drop me a line through the website buildahottub.com/contact/

[@andrecard3462]

@@Buildahottub I just sent a email out to you

[@lesblack9398]

Describe my issue perfectly. My start capacitor has 4 terminals, none of them marked. How do I ensure I connect the new one correctly?

[@Buildahottub]

normally they are in "pairs" or "fours" so you can connect to multiple terminals and you connect one to each cluster. If you put a new one in and you connect to the wrong terminals, it just won't start and will do the same as before - also, if they are not labelled they may not be polarity sensitive, some are not - Hope that helps - Andi

[@james5980]

Thanks for the video, I get the humming sound, when I turn the jets on it will run for about a second then it blows the 13 amp fuse. I tried 2 new capacitors but still no joy, the pump turns free and I replaced the bearings only last year. I don’t. Suppose you have any suggestions? Thanks 🙏🏼

[@Buildahottub]

Hi James, the only thing i can think of is try turning the power on and off several times - quite often the caps dont come with a charge so they actually need to charge before they can do their thing. - hope that helps - Andi

[@james5980]

Hi Andi, thank you for getting back to me, really appreciate it, I’ll give that a try 👍🏼

[@LuisRodriguez-jn7zj]

I have a balboa VS300FL4 getting LF error code. Service tech came out checked everything and cleaned heater sensors but code still came back. He said maybe circuit board I noticed the when I pushed motor just hum and doesn’t come on. If I turn off power and rest then motor will come on. Any thoughts before I spend big money on circuit boards. Thanks

[@Buildahottub]

If you have a dual speed pump, you should be able to make it turn on high speed, then it will drop down to low speed but once it stops, it will just hum when it tries to restart if you have a bad capacitor. Pump is the problem here - not the circuit board for sure - dont spend on a new circuit board - concentrate on finding the problem with the pump. - Hope that helps - Andi

[@ajaxborges]

Excellent video! What if the pump never starts running - meaning on both low and high speeds there is only the hum. Could it still be one of the capacitors?

[@Buildahottub]

Hi Jorge, thanks for the kind words. It sounds like the start capacitor still, even though it doesnt turn on high speed too. The run capacitor is there to "smooth" things out so even without the run capacitor you can have a pump that will run and turn but will be "lumpy" and noisy. The hum, means it has not got enough "juice" to start turning which is what the start capacitor is for. Replace it and you should be all sorted. Doubly check the pump is not getting hot too - a pump overheating can be a voltage issue but not likely if you have not changed any settings on your Spa Pack or wiring configuration - my bet is the capacitor. - Cheers, Andi

[@ajaxborges]

@@Buildahottub Thanks for the response. I'll dive into it this weekend and look to see if I can replace the start capacitor.

[@andrecard3462]

I'm a subscriber to your channel...what's the material you need etc..

[@Buildahottub]

email received, will respond shortly

[@footfixerrunning]

Is it possible to put a capacitor with a Microfarad rating that is too high?

[@Buildahottub]

You want to be as close as you can to the one that you have in your pump already - wouldnt advise going bigger you should always try and match like for like - hope that helps - Andi

[@ericoosterbosch9711]

My gfci trips instantly. When i unplug hush pump from spa pack the breaker doesn't trip. Any ideas

[@Buildahottub]

Hi Eric, sure, there is either water in the pump or the coil is breaking down and shorting out - this happens if the pump is old or has got water inside of it in the past. Sounds like you will need a replacement to be honest. If I can help my spare parts hot tub website is www.parts4tubs.com - I carry a large range of pumps so you will be able to find a replacement. Hope that helps - Andi

[@etmeyutub]

Where does one order a capacitor? How do you make sure you are getting the right one? How much does one cost?

[@Buildahottub]

Hi There, i dont sell capacitors unfortunately. you need to read the size on the side of them and the voltage which you need to match, you chould then be able to google and find them online - hope that helps - ball park 30 bucks or less. - Andi

[@dgiesenhagen]

What does it mean if the pump is humming but it doesn't move any water when forced into high speed? Does this indicate that the pump needs to be replaced?

[@Buildahottub]

Normally a bad set of capacitors so the pump cant start. I would change those first before you incurr the cost of a new pump - hope that helps - Andi