Spa emptying out?

[hinejs]

The humming automated jandy valve, should have a toggle switch on the back-side. Flip it the other direction. Does the valve move? If yes, great, it may not need to be replaced, but adjusted. If no, then it will have to be replaced. A relatively simple repair. You could do yourself. The expensive part will be the automated valve itself. Youre probably looking for a JVA24 by Jandy ( a little more expensive), or a CVA24 by Pentair Water. Follow the black cord up and into the control panel and carefully remove the lead. Paying attention to where it was removed from. You'll also want to remove the actuactor itself (the motorized part) 4 screws hold in onto the 3 way jandy valve. Note the orientation of the actuator. You may also have to adjust the stops on the actuator. Open up the case on the old actuator and look at where the stops are located on the valve stem. Compare to the new actuator valve stem and adjust accordingly. By the way you're doing all of this with the power shut off to the entire pool / spa equipment panel. Its probably a 30 minture repair for a qualified tech, for you maybe an hour.

Holler if you need help. where are you located by the way?

[mkelley]

It has a switch on the side that's a three way toggle. It appears the center position is "off". Eventually, by switching it back through all three positions I was able to get the valve to move but not consistently. It moves and then stops and makes a sound like a gear stripping (which, come to think of it, is probably what is happening). I can get it to move further by nudging it manually, but then it does the same thing again. It will do this in both directions, never actually stopping until I flip the switch to off but sticking in one position while it "grinds".

I assume I'm looking for this kind of thing:

http://www.poolsupplydeals.com/Detail.bok?no=1299
or
http://www.onlinepoolsupply.net/auto...3045.htm?id=10

at which prices makes me gulp (particularly considering this is only a little over a year old). Am I right in anticipating having to do this every year or two? Doesn't fill me with confidence (and I have at least two more of these automated valves in the system. Yikes!).

If all we're talking about is changing the wires and screwing this thing on (and perhaps dealing with the stops) I guess I could handle this myself. Just what would a tech charge for doing this for me, anyone got even a ballpark figure? And are there better places to buy these actuator thingees?

Thanks for the info -- I live in central Florida where it's actually going to be warm enough to swim by the end of the week.

[hinejs]

that's the one. remove tha actuator and see if it operates properly. it is possible that you have something stuck in the valve itself. the actuator retails $369 installed.

[mkelley]

Okay, I'll give this a shot (but it will have to wait until next weekend, as I'll be at work all this week). I assume I just unscrew it from the top of the valve somehow (valve handle just comes off?). I'll look more closely at it and see what gives.

The idea of something being stuck is interesting. And so if the valve can be purchased for $150 (or less) I guess you're saying a pool person charges $200 for 30 minutes of labor. I can see why you're in the pool repair business (<bg> actually, I truly appreciate you giving free help here. Also, I don't begrudge anyone making a living -- I used to make good money helping folks with computer problems, although I didn't make close to that per hour :>)

[mkelley]

Um, I'm back to this again (since I now have a lot more time to try and fix this as I retired "again").

Would this valve also work for this?

http://www.inyopools.com/Products/02100001004877.htm

As a rule I don't buy the cheapest thing I can find, but since the Jandy burned out in less than a year (with very little use) I'm thinking I'll get something cheap so if I have to I can replace it yet again. So does anyone know if this would be a good (or at least adequate) replacement for the Jandy?

[waste]

m, good to see you again, hope the holidays and new year were good for you - sorry it has to be about this same problem The Goldline valve is the one I have most often seen and will fit the valve (the only thing I'm not sure about is whether the Jandy was 24v - a 5:1 step down transformer, but I'm pretty sure they're the same). I don't know if hinejs is still keeping an eye on the forum but I am here most afternoons and am more than willing to help as I can.

I wish you good luck with getting this thing finally fixed and will offer all the help I can.