Determining whether your spa air switch is the reason your jets or pump is not working is actually quite easy. Follow the below steps to determine if you yours needs to be replaced.
View our replacement spa air switches here!
Did Your Jets Stop Working?
Did your jets suddenly stop working with the press of a button? It is most likely an air switch that is causing the problem. Many air switches are used to control various functions of hot tubs or spas. The air switch assembly has an pneumatic push button located spa side and a pneumatic air switch located in the spa’s controller. There is a piece of air tubing that leads from the push button to the switch. This pneumatic control is a safe switching mechanism as it eliminates the possibly of user’s experiencing electrical shock, as there is no electricity at the point of actuation.
Troubleshooting your Spa Air Switch
More times than not, when customers call Presair, we are able to help them find a solution to why the air switch in a spa isn’t working. Typically the operator is finding a kink or leak in the airline that is not allowing air to pass to the air switch to open or close the contacts. This can be easily fixed by either replacing the tubing or relocating it.
Keep in mind, the issue can be with the push button or the switch. To determine where the failure is happening, follow the steps below:
- First, the operator can press on the air button assembly and listen for a ‘click’ sound in the air switch.
- If the ‘click’ happens, then the push button is sending enough air to trigger the air switch.
- On the other hand, if no click is heard, the air switch isn’t sensing air pressure therefore the issue lies with the air tubing or push button.
- If the switch doesn’t click, but makes a hissing sound like air is leaking from the air switch, then unfortunately the air switch diaphragm has blown and a new switch is necessary.
- Determine the type of switch for the suspect switch by looking up the identification number or by contacting the pool/spa dealer.
Hear a ‘Click’ but there is still nothing happening?
- Verify the correct operation of the switch circuit.
- Connect the multi meter to a set of power leg/switch leg poles.
- Since there are only two poles on a SPST air switch, make the connection to each pole. Operate the air button.
- The multi meter should, alternately, show continuity and no continuity, as the air button is operated.
- If the multi meter does not show continuity of the air switch, replace the switch.
Spa Air Switch
Presair air switches are single function controls that provide safe on/off actuation of electrical devices from remote locations such
as motors, lights, pumps, or other applications. Presair air switches are designed to use an air bellow actuator joined by tubing to an air switch contained within the equipment. Pushing the actuator creates enough pressure to operate the air switch which safely controls the equipment. Additionally, there is complete electrical isolation with no voltage to worry about at the point of actuation.
Spa Push Button
All hard push buttons have a sealed internal air bellow to prevent water from entering the air tube that connects the air button to the air switch. Hard push buttons have a diameter ranging from 0.35 inches to 2.5 inches and thread mount or push fit options available.
Presairs’ soft push bellow hand actuators are made from a flexible UV resistant PVC. Bellows range in size from 1 inch to 2.8 inches, with multiple stem lengths available. Air bellow actuators are tested for more than 1 million pushes.
For more information about the how we can help you with your pool or spa needs, visit one of the links below!
Air Switching Technology for the Pool and Spa Industry
Most Common Pool and Spa Air Switches
I replaced the bellows on my Jacuzzi jetted tub. the jets will come on but will not stay on – so, i dont know what to do now.
On tub jets turn on if air switch is depressed. Stop once you release. So I gather the switch is good. Suggestions?
The air switches turn on the jets but as soon as I release them they turn off
If I hold the button down it works but once I let the button go it shuts off
Push button and switch work just fine, the problem is the button is to hard for my wife to push in. Is there a lubricant or something that can solve the issue, or do I need to replace the button?
Hello, I was wondering how long can a air line be to still work I have a customer that has a pump that is turned on with a air switch but the button is outside by the spa equipment so they have to walk outside each time to push it. I’m just trying to see if I can install a air button inside by the spa probably around 30 feet from the jet pump
Hi, On occasion my wifes pedi chair in shop has an issue. When pushing on air button sometimes have to push 2 3 times. Then it works fine. Also the button does not return to top completely. Maybe about an eight of inch from top. Otherwise works good enough. Could bellows be bad? I hate to change and make things worse. Question when turning off what releases contacts? She has new air switch should I change? I would like to know problem before changing. Contact switch reasonably new.
Thank You
When I press the air switch and hold it down the jets operate but once I let go they stop. When I disconnect the hose and blow through it the jets operate but once I stop blowing through the jets stop. I am assuming it has something to do with the switch on the pump. Is a new pump needed or is this repairable with a replacement part? Should I get an electrician to look at it?
Did you ever solve the issue? Have the exact same problem.
I presume your switch has a leak… The pipe is losing pressure from the push button from what you said…
My jets got stuck in the on position last season. One day we went to turn them off and the button in the hot tub didn’t work. So we just used the breaker in the pool box to turn them on and off and that was fine. But now this season the hot tub won’t work at all. When you turn it on, the heater starts up but the pump never comes on so then the heater turns off as well.
Our new pool guy says the 3way air switch is bad and guesses it’s probably causing our issue. He wants to “delete” the air switch all together and install separate timers to control the spa pump and jet. He thinks that the broken button or condensation in the line is what caused the air switch to break and if we replace the air switch it will just break again. He’s quoting us $400 to do this but also saying that until we do it there’s no way to know if it’s not actually the pump itself that is the issue. He says if bypassing the air pump with timers doesn’t work, the next step would be a new pump and if that didn’t work then maybe we’ll need a new heater installed next. He also says that it would be closer to $1000 to fix the existing button/line/air switch system because he’d have to dig under the ground/concrete to replace the line.
I came across your page bc I’m looking to see if there’s a way to more accurately diagnose the problem before we just start replacing things and keeping our fingers crossed. I noticed your troubleshooting for the button not working and thought it was strange that he didn’t try that. My husband and I tried it and I definitely hear a click when the button is pushed.
I don’t see why we don’t just buy a new switch for $35 bucks or whatever and replace it. I mean the one we had lasted at least 8 years that we know of but possibly 20. Am I missing something or is this new pool guy just complicating things? He said replacing the air switch would cost MORE than rewiring the whole system to timers ($400) and that air switches are problematic anyway. I’ve only watched a few YouTube videos but it seems simple and inexpensive to me.
Any insight would be much appreciated!! TIA.
My jets got stuck in the on position last season. One day we went to turn them off and the button in the hot tub didn’t work. So we just used the breaker in the pool box to turn them on and off and that was fine. But now this season the hot tub won’t work at all. When you turn it on, the heater starts up but the pump never comes on so then the heater turns off as well.
Our new pool guy says the 3way air switch is bad and guesses it’s probably causing our issue. He wants to “delete” the air switch all together and install separate timers to control the spa pump and jet. He thinks that the broken button or condensation in the line is what caused the air switch to break and if we replace the air switch it will just break again. He’s quoting us $400 to do this but also saying that until we do it there’s no way to know if it’s not actually the pump itself that is the issue. He says if bypassing the air pump with timers doesn’t work, the next step would be a new pump and if that didn’t work then maybe we’ll need a new heater installed next. He also says that it would be closer to $1000 to fix the existing button/line/air switch system because he’d have to dig under the ground/concrete to replace the line.
I came across your page bc I’m looking to see if there’s a way to more accurately diagnose the problem before we just start replacing things and keeping our fingers crossed. I noticed your troubleshooting for the button not working and thought it was strange that he didn’t try that. My husband and I tried it and I definitely hear a click when the button is pushed.
I don’t see why we don’t just buy a new switch for $35 bucks or whatever and replace it. I mean the one we had lasted at least 8 years that we know of but possibly 20. Am I missing something or is this new pool guy just complicating things? He said replacing the air switch would cost MORE than rewiring the whole system to timers ($400) and that air switches are problematic anyway. I’ve only watched a few YouTube videos but it seems simple and inexpensive to me.
Any insight would be much appreciated!! TIA!!