Priming The Pump - Cal Spas SWIM PRO SPAS Owner's Manual

2.11 Priming the Pump

2.11 Priming the Pump
New spa owners often have difficulty the first time they start their spa and the pump fails to prime. This can be
frustrating, but these simple instructions can help you.
Sometimes air can become trapped in the pump while filling the spa. You will know this has happened when
after you have filled and started the spa, the pump does not seem to function. You will hear the pump operating,
but no water will be moving.
NOTE: The pump will not work properly while air is trapped in it. Continuing to operate the pump in this
way will cause damage.
Starting up: Priming Mode
Priming Mode M019- Balboa Systems
After the initial start-up sequence, the control will enter Priming Mode and display a Priming Mode screen. Only
pump icons appear on the priming mode screen. During the priming mode, the heater is disabled to allow the
priming process to be completed without the possibility of energizing the heater under low-flow or no-flow
conditions. Nothing comes on automatically, but the pump(s) can be energized by selecting the "Jet" buttons. If
the spa has a Circ pump, it can be turned on and off by pressing the "Circ button during priming mode.
Automatic Exiting of Priming Mode
Balboa Systems
The system will automatically enter the normal heating and filtering at the end of the priming mode, which lasts
4-5 minutes.
Bleeding Air from the Pump
If you have tried priming the pump several times unsuccessfully
using the control panel, you can bleed the air from the pump
manually.
1. Shut off power to the spa.
2. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, remove the front panel
from the spa and locate the pump.
3. Close the gate valve on the discharge side of the pump (if your
spa is installed with one.)
4. Turn the bleeder valve counter clockwise with a small pair of
pliers until the air has been released from the pump.
5. If this is unsuccessful, loosen the Union nut on the side of the
pump with channel locks. When air is bled out tighten the
nut.
6. Turn on power to the spa and press the JETS button If there is
still air trapped in the pump, repeat steps 2 through 5 until the
pump primes.
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