I have a 2000 Jacuzzi Echo Spa. It is on a 230 dedicated circuit and has 2 Jet Pumps (230V), one is 2 Speed, other is single speed. The control is the simple balboa two button control.

A power surge last year took out the circuit board, and I replaced it with a new R790 replacement board from Balboa. I have also replaced the topside control and the pressure switch, so technically, almost everything electronic is brand new.

When I power up the spa, the low speed motor will engage for minimum circulation. If the spa trys to go to the second pump, or you try to go to high speed, you get an "FL" error on the top side display that flashes alternately with the temperature. The second motor will kick in at low speed (I have seen both motors spin), but will not go to high speed or run consistently with the FL error. Both motors are top exit, not side, so airlock seems unlikely.

I am at loss as to why I am getting a flow error, as when the second pump does kick in (short lived before the FL error), it moves the water well at low speed. The pressure sensor is brand new, so I am starting to even suspect the wire that connects the sensor to the board. Really grasping at straws here.

Any suggestions, or is there a way to bypass the error to test the high speed motor?

Sorry, but there's no way to by-pass the flow switch. It will give you the error code for (2) possible reasons.

1) It's not detecting pressure when there should be pressure... or
2) It's detecting pressure when there should not be any... on the "Echo" line of spas, a hypersensitive press/switch that detects pressure when the pump is NOT energized will give a flow error too.

Both of these would be repaired by either cleaning the filter, or replacing/adjusting the press/sw, assuming the pumps are working properly.

Possible reasons for a "flow" error other than the pressure switch not working properly:

1) there is no pressure because the 2 speed pump is not pushing water.

2) Poor press/switch harness, poor connection on the press/sw or circuit board receptacle

3) Bad circuit board.

Is it possible that "pump 1" is plugged into "pump 2's" control box receptacle? (and vice versa)

Hope this helps you troubleshoot

Any resolution to this problem???

I have the exact same problem. I have an Echo Z235 and replaced my pressure switch today only to have the same error: Flashing "FL" with temp reading. I have an ohm / voltage meter. What can I check?

Take you meter and set it to Ohms, put it on the 2 leads of the pressure switch, with the pump off it should read infinity, turn the pump on and with a few seconds it should read "closed"

Will this work if i just cut power to the whole system? My system is 220v and direct wired. No way to turn off the pump without it immediately coming back on for filter cycle and waiting for that to finish. So if i cut power i should get a reading of infinity, meaning no water flow, right?

So i should see my ohm meter jump to zero? Sorry its an analog meter

Yes

& Yes

Thanks for you help. I'll give it a try. So i guess if the switch tests good (which i suspect it is) then what else am i looking at?

If you haven't done it, try running it with out a filter. If the switch checks good and the filter is brand new or you are running without it and still get FLO, it would be wires connecting the switch to the board or the board itself is bad.

great. Yes, i cleaned the filter and even tried w/o it but same problem. I will Ohm test later today. D*** thing is only 3 years old. Is this common for this Jacuzzi model? Im in the So Cal region where the weather is not extreme. I'm also thinking the heating element may be clogged with buildup. Does this sound possible?

I don't think so.