Okay folks, I've gotten really good advice from this forum in the past (I saved hundreds of dollars replacing a $10 starter capacitor instead of a whole new pump). Now I have a new issue, and the one who correctly diagnoses the ailment (or comes close)...well, how about a six pack of Guinness? (That's all I can afford since I'm about to become unemployed.)

Here's the mystery: The GFCI is tripping. The controller is a Gecko SPPA-1 variety. So far I've pulled the motor, heater, ozonizer, and pressure switch offline and the thing still trips the breaker immediately. Do I need a transformer? How can I check that? Should I just buy a new spa pack? I'm baffled and I want to enjoy my tub while I'm looking for a job.

Guinness anyone?

Chris

Disconnect the power leads from the control to eliminate the controller itself.

You could be dealing with a faulty gfi too, chewed thru power lines, etc...

Considering you can't get boards/w-transformer for an sspa, if it is the control, you'll have to replace the whole thing.

Save your money to buy parts...

to check the transformer, see if there is a plug on the end of the wires going to the transformer. Disconnect this plug (some have two plugs, one for primary winding, and the other for the secondary windings). If your GFI breaker now holds, it's probably the transformer. Keep in mind if you have the style that is soldered directly to the circuit board, you would have to desolder the transformer to do this test.

They are available, around 120 bucks, as long as it's the plug in type. If it's soldered in, good luck, but you can try digikey or newark electronics for replacements, but that is really getting involved.

Sorry Jeff, but this is an sspa. Board mount xfmr.

Any recent electrical work done?

I'd be looking at the breaker or a compomised run as well. Easy to rule out before taking the plunge with a new controller.

Also, dumb question, but you are removing both leads to any equip you're isolating, right? (Hot and neutral, or both hots)

Nope, no recent electrical work and the box and lines are in good shape. I have tested electrical components as follows:

-Pump: disconnected plug from pump 1 (only 1 pump).
-Heater: unscrewed two heater blade nuts and pulled blades up.
-Ozonator: disconnected plug.
-Pressure Switch: disconnected both plugs.
-controller: Unplugged probe connector
-light: unplugged connector.

There's a little LED that lights briefly in the center of the board when the GFIC trips immediately after I turn it on. A silly question: How does one test a GFCI? The thing seems to be supplying power, but who knows. Do they wear out?

Chris

Check my original response.

Disconnect the power leads at the controller completely.

Turn on GFI.

If it trips, then replace the GFI.

Yes they can get old and bad like the rest of us.