The Background:I had the motor on my 1994 FunSpa go bad on me. I purchased a usedone from a local spa dealer. Before I hooked up all the plumbing, Ihooked up the electrical wires to it and fired it up. It worked onboth low and high w/o any issues. I ran it less than 30 secondstotal. I then bolted it down and put all the plumbing and electricalback the way it was.The Problem:As soon as I supplied power it the spa, the built in GFCI tripped. Itried this a few times to no avail. So I started trouble shooting.The Tests:Here are the things I tested and the result from each test.1. Disconnected the heater. Still tripped2. Disconnected the motor. Still tripped3. Disconnected the blower. Still tripped4. Disconnected a prong that goes up to the control panel Still tripped5. Educated myself on how GFCI's work. Disconnected the 120 VAC loadfrom the GFCI. DID NOT TRIP6. Reconnected the load and removed the fuse that feeds all the 120VAC components. DID NOT TRIPThe Additional Info on my Setup:I have two GFCI in series. The built in one and the 50 Amp I placed 8ft upstream of the spa. The built in one is a Leviton 06895. Whichas far as I can tell is the same as the 6895 and has the same formfactor as the 8895. Here is a link to the 8895. Go to page 184, itis a large document. I'm using it as in Diagram # 3. do not believe having two GFCI's in series is not the problem as Ihave been running like that for over 4 years. This next link is apicture of my tub's electrical panel. Note most everything isdisconnected. This is also a large file. Questions:1. Where do I go from here? What else do I need to test.2. Could having run the tub w/o any water be the cause of myproblems? Did I fry something by doing this?3. Does anyone know where I can get a schematic of the panel?The Conclusion:I own a nice voltmeter and I am not afraid to use it. I just need toknow where to use it.Thanx to all in advance who help...

I found a smaller pdf of the 8895 GFCI. Only 8 pages. Diagram 3 ison page 4.

Spa GFCI Trips with 120VAC load. What next?

Jan 12, 2010 23 Replies

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RBM 16 years ago

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RBM 16 years ago

It does, although previously the GFCI tripped without the motor attached. It's a shame that so much wiring is crammed into such a small box. It really makes it difficult to see if anything is grounding. I would try to follow the neutral wire that feeds the pump, to be sure that it's not coming in contact with ground, but IMO, most likely you have an intermittent problem with the pump

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gfretwell 16 years ago

Do you have a meter? If so check the motor windings to the case.

Look around in the wiring compartment to be sure you have no worn wires that are shorting out

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trader4 16 years ago

For sure the GFCI needs to be replaced. I'd start with that.

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