Expert: roger - 11/5/2009

Question
QUESTION:   My tub is blowing the 20 amp slow burn fuse only on one side, if you dont connect the motor all works ok. if you plug that motor into the other side it wotks fine. its blowing the fusec only when the power for that plug is drawn through its curcuit. Ive dissconnected everything else, and no change! the relays click and switch power when i tested them, they seem to work fine. the contactor had some wierd test readings, seemed to go to ground when we wiggled the connector on the very side of the contactor going to the unplugged light. but now i just tested it on my kitchen table and it seems ok, i called cal spa and they wont help me cause im not a dealer. but they said the contactor cannot cause the fuse to blow? im stuck please help. your my last hope at this point!

ANSWER: How can you test a motor on a kitchen table? Maybe the electric stove. A fuse doesn't blow on one side. How old is the spa. Send me a pix of this stuff please.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i tested the motor at work, using 120v an an amperage inductive pick up meter, i was testing the control box on the kitchen table, you know, relays, wire resistance, contactor, switch's ect. never mind I figuered it out. i traced back through the system and found no possible way for the system to go to ground so i went to the cord to find that the wires were shorted in the cord, causing short to ground, on only one leg.. but i think it fried the flow switch during the shorting process. I am now going to test the flow switch, both pumps run now but no water is coming from jets, so i believe the flow switch is bad im about to trouble shoot the system further right now.
 let me know any pointers you might havre for me! thanks jeff!

Answer
The flow switch does not control flow only measures it. How did that short occur ? lawnmower? Get water flowing first. Maybe the thermostat in the line is bad too. Are the water valves open? Don'y forget to test the high limit and all the fuses. And what is the question?