Tech information below.

I just aquired this unit for a basement price. Filled it up plugged it in. Works fine for about 20 minutes. Will run, then heater switch kicks out and LED flashes red. Heater gets hot, water ice cold. Felt the circulation pump and this gets very hot. Does not feel like anything is being output when I place my hand on the inlet/outlet in the tub. Pulled pump out, plugged in with out hoses, but still wet (yes I was careful and stupid), no movement of pump or wheel. Took it all a part. One very small patch of rust. Seals crusted with white,but inside Appears fine. Here are my questions.

1. Any way to tell if this pump is working or not beyond what I have done?
2. I think the heater is overheating because the recirc pump is not working. This kicks the reset out. The tub works fine after cooling for 20 minutes. Disconnecting the heater solves the flashing red light. Does not kick the reset out?
3. Can this pump be rebuilt? Is is an easy fix for a motor shop?
4. Shoud this pump wheel move freely or be greesed dry?

Any help you can provide would be helpful. Hate to spend big money to replace the pump only to find it was not at fault.

Hotsprings jetsetter, 1994ish Hot Tub,
Power Input, 110 dedicated circuit, 20 Amp, reset switches for pump and heater

-Type and/or Brand & Model of Control:
Circulation pump is marked SilentFlo 5000, 4/94 manufacture part 9851, black, 3/4" pipes

Topside control; Twist Dials, One LE,

Pump Configuration: Main pump is fine.

Thermostat: Knob on side of the house.

Heater Type: Foil covering metal hollow tube, themostat inside. Pipes run from circ pump.

Thanks Marc,
mgaddis@iw.net

It does indeed sound like your circulation pump is defective. They are, thankfully, realitivly cheap. Usually between 150-200. If you need links to a few sites that sell them online, let me know.

In 1994, the Silentflo 5000 was actually one of (2) pumps, both carried the moniker "Silentflo 5000"

One, a laing 505, the other, a grunfos. If it's a grunfos, these things bind up EASY, but usually are fine after you get them to spin after sitting for while. If it's a magnetically driven laing, just replace it.

If you drain it and work that impellor on the grunfos, you'll likely save yourself a hundred or two...

good luck

~Swine