I have an older hotsprings classic. I'm having problems with the gfci on the plug(cord)tripping. It takes about 45-60 mins. to trip after I reset it. It only trips when it is not in use. It will not trip when the pump/jets andheater are on ,only when it is not in use. I unplugged the heater and it tripped,I unplugged the circulating pump and it did not trip. I think it may be the circulating pump motor. I just had it replaced about a year ago.How can I be sure it is the pump? It cost about $200. I don't want to change it if it could be something else. Thanks for taking interest, Jim

Inspect the motor for water intrusion. Remove the two motor cover screws to access the wiring terminals on the back of the circ pump. Look for signs of water or moisture. Let us know what you find

would a continuity test or ohm reading do any good? (Its a 220 v. motor) Tomorrow I will take a look at the wiring connections on the motor.

Not unless you know how to perform a current leakage test, and few meters have that function.

A little O/T, but your circ pump is only 110v, not that it matters

You're inspecting the little, silent 24 hour circ pump, not the big jet pump

Sorry if I wasn't clear

is that a two speed pump? Does it speed up when you turn on the jets?I thought it could be a problem on the slow side not on the fast side???just a thought.

Hot Springs did use some 2 speed circ pumps for some 220v models in 1995 and 1996, but it doesn't have anything to do with the problem. The common is the common for both high and low speed, and the windings are the same as well. You're looking for moisture inside the motor of the small 24 hour circ. pump, that could lead to intermittant GFCI problems. If you had a blown capacitor inside the circ pump, that only tripped the GFCI during one particular "speed", you'd know it instantly. There would be no intermittant issue.


If you have a Hot Spring Classic, you have two pumps. One is for heating, the other for therapy.

The small, 24 hour circ pump is the 1st thing to check.

Do you know the serial number of the spa?

Oh, and to answer your question, if it's a 2 speed circ pump, no, it doesn't speed up when you turn on the jets. High speed is thermostatically controlled on 2 speed circ pumps.

I took the cover off the back cover of the circ.pump motor and it had some water in it.Is there a way to save or fix this motor? Or do I need to replace it?

Let it dry out- should be OK.

Water is likely dripping onto the circ pump via the door lip. Sometimes with age, they sag a little, and instead of running water out, might dump rainwater or over-spill right on the circ pump. Try covering the circ pump with something to shield it from any run-off.