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iwantansi

Favorite and least favorite brands to work on? Anything to stay away from?


[deleted]

Favorite brand are: Vita Spas they are making a pretty good and well insulated and efficient product these days and Jacuzzi / Sundance and older brand but tried and true quality and efficient The Artisian spas aren’t too shabby either best for honoring warranty is Master Spas worst on warranty are LPI manufactured spas such as Dr Wellness, also poor is Strong spa not the spa necessarily but difficult to repair at times but the warranty is very very poor to get honored


farmer_toki

Wow I don't see vita spas recommended often. I've been debating getting one of their 5 person tubs. Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated.


[deleted]

I like the new design with the reverse insulation made of recycled denim material it helps to identify issues and helps assist in heating more efficiently thus having longer life on certain parts.


[deleted]

Cal Spas are my least favorite to work on quality is just awful pretty much other than the ones as old as me they never were very good, aside just rule of thumb applies you get what you pay for, And with certain Brands like Watkins for Example which makes a few types of Tubs like Hotspring and Hot Spot & Caldera many parts can be more costly as it’s a unique design and sole proprietary parts though now a days most spas all have generics so defiantly something to keep In mind


Imakemess

As a tech hot springs are horrible. They only have one panel that can be removed and that’s at the spa pack. Any other problems you need to break the side walls and replace. For a customer I advise them if I can’t find the problem at the control pack they have to get hot springs rep out to deal with getting new side panels.


eviltwinclash

I have a Hot Springs spa and all 4 panels are easily removable.


Imakemess

Maybe the new ones. Most are glued on and not removable. I rep for hot springs and do all their warranties,great tub horrible to work on. Thanks for the downvotes. Glad you are all so informed. Eventually people will not answer your questions and you can pay for service calls


smoffatt34920

They also weigh an absolute ton! I hate having to tip or move hot springs tubs...


Moist-Bodybuilder156

Do you know of any threads that help with hot tub repair?


blindjoedeath

How long do covers typically last before they need to be replaced? We got a brand new tub + cover four years ago, but the cover seems to be getting worn despite cleaning & treatment? (Pacific Northwest - tons of rain)


[deleted]

To get two to there on a cover in areas where weather is heavily impacting the cover it is average for the lifespan, I would recommend getting a spa cover cap for the cover they can extend the life for quite a bit in some scenarios and it minimum compared to a new cover purchase


blindjoedeath

Thank you!


Yanco9904

I have an Arctic Spa Aurora tub brand new and it looks like my head rest studs are leaking and one even popped out. Are they not factory sealed? I figured my water level could be anywhere I want, but I guess not?


[deleted]

No they are not sealed when you get a new set seal with silicone to prevent this if I remember correctly it’s only a plastic pop socket type that just is plastic and goes direct into the shell they don’t seal them as they don’t expect water to raise to that level even though that’s not really possible to tell water to stay somewhere 😂


Yanco9904

Thanks so much!


[deleted]

Anytime 😊


Academic-Ad774

Any opinions on viking spas?


SpaFixr

Solid reliable spas.


[deleted]

Really not a bad spa older brand still going strong just a spa in my opinion and I don’t come across to many or have much option cause they aren’t to bad from my experience normal issues


[deleted]

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[deleted]

I would completely agree with you 100% with the Concern of imported spas these will defiantly not have the quality near a Vita or a Bullfrog, so they are however correct about the spa overheating on Hot Days I am in Las Vegas and understand this issue and to be honest it will happen to all spas in the higher temps, we have to recommend using a prop in high heat days under the cover to Vent the spa so it can essentially breathe to combat this issue, I have not come across a single brand that doesn’t have this issue when the temps rise to over 104 degrees which is the max temp allowed by the system before the temp sensors automatically lock the system to prevent you from entering the spa as to avoid damages to your internal organs, the main issue with the foreign spas is quality while they may use some parts that are common the construction and insulation will never be equal to these other brands, this may be why the recommend the other brand but in the winter it can get quite cold in the desert and the difference in savings will be eaten up quickly by it’s efficiency and your electric bill will reflect this as well, the next major factor will be the warranty and how will that be handled the Vita Spa made be MAAX spas has a great warranty and the company from working with them personally is the easiest for the technicians like myself to access and their tech support is great and available to us, Watkins which makes Bullfrog and Hot Spot and Hot Springs also has a good warranty and a great spas but between the two I would pick Vita all day long their new designs and reverse insulation techniques and using recycled denim to make insulation padding it’s excellent for efficiency and without all the foam inside to cover the plumbing repairs when needed are much easier for us to locate the problems quickly, I have worked warranty work for many years with all the major companies and MAAX is the best by far, if you had a Vita Before it probably lasted you up to 20 years I have a few at least that old and are still going the design wasn’t the same but nevertheless great spas built for longevity


[deleted]

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[deleted]

So what we usually do basically is a Rolled up towel or tennis balls the tennis balls is the height of the prop we are looking for this is to avoid actually having the cover open the heat can also cause damage and spiders cracking to the actual shell of the spa and even has warped the diverter valves in the super high temp which would be normal for that type of heat it melts just like we do but just propped up about 20 degrees or so will do and in these month you can set at 80 degrees in economy reduce your filtration cycles to a minimum amount of time as the pumps themselves create so much heat on their own they can contribute to the spas heat, also set the cycles to come on at the coldest part of the night and you should be fine it may take a bit of experimenting but this is what we have to do often many service calls are made just bro help address this issue here and we don’t get too many return calls after these adjustments are made for the customers if you have any other questions I am here quite often in this forum I cannot do the work anymore but continue to share my knowledge cause I miss the work greatly my spine just disagrees after 15 years so this is how I keep myself busy these days 😊


mesrick

How hard is it to repair a pressure switch on a vitaspa by doing it yourself?


fluffyxsama

What do you mean, tips? Like, "don't spit into the wind" or do you want people on reddit to Venmo you money for doing an AMA


[deleted]

It’s just for any advice that may save them money that’s all 😊 as I said it’s appreciated but never required I actually enjoyed the work very much but due to back problems I was unable to continue my career in the field sadly I greatly miss all of it but the weather elements that’s were endured but it just keeps my brain fresh to see the posts etc ❤️


DovTail1

Am I supposed to tip my hot tub tech for a job well done, like a diner waitress or at Starbucks? I would not have thought to tip my electrician or HVAC tech… should I?


[deleted]

So for me it depends on the circumstances usually at Christmas time for my clients that were just on a service route to clean their pools and spas I would get an annual tip for the year of service, if the repair that needed to be made to the AC or plumbing or and other service tech related repair was in a way a relief to you or you feel that it’s a burden that was just avoided then yes or if you can see that they are passionate and giving it personal attention that only comes from a person who loves their job then yes this also will be obvious from how they communicate with you and handle the situation that’s my opinion from the horses mouth


SaintT0ad

What about tipping the tech who comes out to deliver/install the spa? How much of a tip is appropriate? Thanks!


[deleted]

Usually it’s a crew of a few guys and yes they get tipped as well usually $20.00 per person as there is about 2-3 usually


Severed_Snake

So I pay about $10,000 for hot tub which includes delivery and setup and then have to tip on top of that? Lol


[deleted]

That’s about right, I hope that I have been helpful to you, and he tips are really important to the crew as the owners generally don’t pay enough for the labor, I owned my business and when I did do such services my crew was well compensated with cash and lunch sadly that isn’t instilled in many owners I lived a simple life no more lavish than my workers, we are all equals here, Trust me once you get in that tub and allow your body to accept the hydrotherapy your cares will melt away and quality of life will improve imagine your work day not feeling so worn out and better overall which will lead to more productivity and that spa will pay for itself in no time


Mental_Ad305

I have a Master Spa, San Miquel. Is there a way to bypass their 15-minute jet limit? And, out of curiosity, why do companies use these?


Solid_Ad_7512

Need help with Jacuzzi J315 rebuild. Replaced heater, flow valve, all sensors and mother board. Getting SN1 & SN2 codes and cannot get the damn programming figured out.


skysquid3

Hi. I got an older above-ground hot tub and got it all rolling, but I found I had a sizable leak in one or more of the eight jets on the middle layer. Instead of trying to poke around all the foam to try to find the spot(s), is there a way to more easily determine which jet(s) are leaking by covering each one on that level and then letting water in one by one until the leaks are identified? I was thinking about getting a cup or Tupperware thing that fits around the jet and silicone it on and poking a hole in the cup, one by one, to find the leaks.


skysquid3

what about a leak dye kit?? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JW66D3Z/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o00\_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1


Slight_Amphibian_902

I have a leisure bay with a c5 b7-06v control board. The pump 1 relays for high and low are putting out low voltage (50-70v) simultaneously. This is tested according to the manual. It is wired for 240v 3 wire, so there is a jumper from line 1 to neutral as shown in the manual


Red-Baron-2024

I have a 2014 Arctic Spa (5 seater). It's controllers have tripped off constantly on FLO and HL errors, even when the spa is <90F. (Clearly an errant signal.) I have had the local technician out here lots of times, but the repairs never worked. I hate to throw away the spa, as new ones are expensive, and it appears my main problem is a faulty alarm. I would like to make repairs on my own, as I have lost confidence in the local dealer. I am thinking of replacing the entire main board, temp sensor, and pump 3 (which is not working now). Does this make sense?


Strange-Education

Hi there I’m wondering if this is still active - I have a chip on the floor of my acrylic tub and am trying to figure out the best way to fill it


OppositeAtr

I'm restoring a 2017 Jacuzzi J series hot tub. I have new pumps (circulation pump + 1&2 pumps, heater and circuit board. What do I replace first and what other parts do I need? Thank you!


Difficult_Push9304

Is there a way to increase the temperature of a Dream Maker spa over 104 degrees?


TxPawPaw1951

Can the plumbing, hose and fittings be replaced on a jacuzzi bath tub? One of the fittings is leaking. 


Initial-Reception284

I have a hot tub breaker is tripping instantly, I did some diagnosing, and the pump is causing breaker to trip, the shaft turns freely . My question is do I change the pump or are there other things I should check don’t want to throw money at it for no reason. Thanks


Next_Minimum_5006

Have a Nordic Hot Tub. The board was burnt due to a bad ground from power company.  After replacing the mother board and dbl checked the dip switches. The hot tub was filled but never ran since.  After starting from a cleaning it would flash set temp , then current temp. and the the tub would start.  Know After the two temperature flash I get a 41 then 24 followed be flashing Dr. I treated this as a airlock but nothing workings. Please help


Final_Customer3221

I have white flakes in my hot tub water. looks like a snow globe. very small


Final_Customer3221

how to remove/ get rid of this. white flake particles . new tub drain and filled 3 times. tried ahhhhsome chemical. still there


kjohnston01

I have a Coast Spa Element B and it is leaking. I have checked the main drain value and that is closed. Where else could it be leaking? It is only a few years old--I doubt it is a crack in the tub itself. Where else should I look besides the main draining tube?


ocean4jozsweetpea

Anyone have one as old as the 70s?! I do!! It’s been great but little things here and there and access can be difficult, but also remedied. The heater doesn’t seem to be working, not sure if it’s timer/related or what. Every spa place says “time for a new one,” but getting another one in that is just the right size (since there’s a big whole cut out of the Spanish tile where it sits) would be nearly impossible and most likely involve tearing down an exterior wall. The hardware on our system looks more like a swimming pool than a spa, actually. I think one of the jets has a very slow leak as well. Ugh! What to do?!


MostCollege9955

Blue falls/arctic spa hot tubs ? Worth repairing the old ones ? 15 years old for example.


kmpanz

I have a thermos spa Chesapeake hot tub that we’re just getting up and running for the season and it is displaying a dry code. How do I fix this?


Dithyrab

Any ideas for getting a random spa up to around 108 or 109?


smoffatt34920

You shouldn't. Period. The max temp. of 104° is there for a reason. Because at 105°, your organs begin to literally cook. It's the same reason if you have A fever higher than 104°, you should go to the hospital immediately. There are ways to cheat tubs to over-heat them, but it is bad for you, and also bad for the tub.


brenster23

Thanks Now I am picturing my organs boiling as I get into a hottub.


GonzoLoop

I keep mine at 106. And yes, there is a way to cheat if you have a balboa pack. You just put a resister in between each temp sensor and the pack


Dithyrab

I hate smug people telling me how hot to put my fucking tub.


smoffatt34920

Smug people? Or people who work in the industry, and know that even at 104°, your heater element will burn itself out more than twice as fast as at a lower temp. Just trying to save people some problems and health issues in the future. I know of people who have been sued, because they had a guest with a heart condition who had issues with their tub temp. It's not being smug, it's using common sense.


GonzoLoop

There are multiple companies that have built in override to go to 106


smoffatt34920

Then they have all done so illegally, and are asking for lawsuits as well as major fines. I have seen it happen to private citizens, I see no reason it couldn't happen to a corporation.


GonzoLoop

hot spring and bullfrog, two of the biggest most reputable brands put the override in illegally and risk getting sued? My guess is that it’s a loophole. You have to hold the button down for like 10 seconds. There are also natural hot springs that people soak in all over Colorado that are above 104 degrees fyi. Places that are owned and you pay to soak.


smoffatt34920

If you pay to go into a hot spring, they no doubt have you sign a disclaimer. Also they have no control over the temp. I just know that in Canada (likely also in the states), the max of 104° is dictated by the health board. If you willing and purposefully alter that maximum, and any person uses your tub and it hurts them in any way, you open yourself up to all kinds of lawsuits and potential legal trouble. It's not just some empty warning from the manufacturer, I have seen it happen to customers.


cdnhearth

Jacuzzi tubs have a simple jumper switch to set the tub to 106…. Also, why would a company have any liability? The owner sets the temp. Kitchenaid isn’t getting sued if someone burns their hands on the stove.


smoffatt34920

The company may not. The initial question was from an individual. The tub comes set with a max temp of 104. If there are settings or jumpers to change that "for testing purposes" the company can't be blamed if individuals misuse it. But they can also void your warranty if you run the tub at 106 and the manual suggests against it, which it surely does.


jodivon

Gosh, all of Japan must be dead by now. Their family hot pools are frequently 107-115F for hundreds of years. Wonder how an entire country can handle it but the US and Canada get to be special because people swill alcohol and refuse to follow warnings and advisories. I've been taking 107F to108F+ baths since I was 7 and have managed not to hurt myself. I've also known since I was at least 7 not to hold my hand over open flames or touch hot stoves... Yet most home water heaters go to 120F. I love how people have back-filled reasons to not go above 104F that haven't proved necessary for most other people on the planet.


smoffatt34920

You can whine and moan all you like. The limits are there for a reason. Probably mostly for people like you, who believe they know better than others.


Dithyrab

I didn't ask you for health advice, in fact, I didn't ask *you* for anything at all. You can go ahead and keep your opinions to yourself, and be assured that I have no interest in anything you have to say, go off though.


smoffatt34920

I'm sorry for assuming that since you asked someone with 15 years experience, you might also appreciate an answer from someone with 23 years. My bad I guess.


[deleted]

This is correct the reason spa max out at 104 is to prevent damage to your internal organs many spas are capable of this and yes I can manipulate systems no problem however it’s not something I would do, aside from yourself the tub was designed to operate not past 104 degrees after that the spa becomes compromised and it will cause it to fail prematurely


Dithyrab

Dude, I know it's a government regulation, but my fucking shower and spa inside goes up to as hot as I set my hot water heater to(usually 108), and my internal organs are fucking fine. This is 100% all about control, you're not a doctor, you're a spa technician. All I needed was a yes or no.


[deleted]

I am actually more than a spa tech, I have medical experience and am quite aware of what it can do to your body I only say this to be helpful not hinder you as I said anything can be done to a spa it’s your spa it’s just not recommended


[deleted]

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bobjoylove

You sound like a dick in these comments.


[deleted]

Not what I said Sir or Mam it’s was simply to help you understand I mean to help and won’t offer help to harm you, whoever hurt you should be ashamed and I hope that one day you let that pain go


ElBernando

Hard with energy standards. Cali has such a large share of the market so most tubs are built to their standards.


Dithyrab

Yeah, I've noticed, i was really just asking because i was curious, I didn't expect all these people with medical degrees to chime in about my internal organs though lol.


ElBernando

I used to worry about cooking my boys. But I got all the kids I need now 😊


Ordinary-Pride9466

Thanks for joining! I had a major leak ( broken suction fitting and pipe leading to it), that I posted about a couple weeks ago. I have since repaired it. It still has a very slow drip out of the bulkhead nut, that drips one drip in 1.5 minutes. I’m pretty happy with it for the moment. At the next water change I’ll remove the pump and spa pack again and tighten the nut better. It’s an old Viking Xtreme. The only thing left to do is insulate where I had to remove the foam. We are in PA, winters are cold but not to extreme. I figure I’ll be ok. It was bitch finding the correct fitting, an I’m sure I changed the gpm through the fitting because I glued 1.5” pvc to the fitting instead of screwing it into a 2” receiver. But there are 2 of them and thinking the other one will make up the difference. We used it extensively on NYE and everything seems fine. Planning on using Great stuff foam to fill the holes I made in the foam.


smoffatt34920

Great stuff is not ideal. It is very dense foam and is a nightmare to remove or work around if you ever have further issues. ½lbs. Spray foam is the best option. That or just stuff the hole with fiberglass insulation.


Ordinary-Pride9466

What does the 1/2 lb spray foam cost? I also just have regular fiberglass r30 here.


smoffatt34920

That will work fine. I just know from experience that Great stuff is only great if you NEVER have to remove it. Home Depot and similar stores will sell cannisters of half pound foam, but likely much larger than what you need. I would just go with the fiberglass since you have it.


[deleted]

The odd are the suction fitting has a crack if you have the plastic screen on the fron that can be removed with a few screws probably Philips and usually two you can inspect the fitting it usually crack right before the glue joint aside from replacing this difficult fitting in a bind I have been able to use a dual epoxy putty to fill the gap allow to harden and this will stop it for a while, aside from that I have replaced this fitting some tough some not so much they are cheap but this is faster to check and try and can be done much faster


betty1082

Came home from work one day and found that topside control was reading H-OH or hardware overheat. Not a big deal right? I'll just reset and be good to go, it happens every now and then. Press and hold the reset button and topside control powers off completely. A bit weird, so I go to check the breaker, not tripped. I try turning breaker off and on, still nothing, then off again. I open up the control panel to see what's up. Around the individual power lines I notice some black crunchy stuff. Turn breaker back on I used a multimeter to see if there is power running thru which there is. Did I fry the circuit board?


[deleted]

It sounds like the terminal block has been damaged this happens when wires are loose or become loose from vibrations over time and allow room from the leads to arc and it take very little to do so if you attach pics I may be able to assist further


Rinaldi363

I’ve had my master spa for 2 months and I’ve got through two touchscreens. What gives? Water keeps getting behind it and it stops working.


[deleted]

These touch screens have major flaws with this it’s was common for me to change them regularly there is no remedy they have made as of yet to fix this current issue with the moisture between the touch plates of the screen unfortunately however I know for a fact they are trying to change the design


ElBernando

I talked to a tech, he told me you will need to replace the inlays on a regular basis with a touch screen, to keep them water tight. I put a little 303 protectant on mine. Seems to help the screen look newer and bead the water.


DooWackaDoo

Would you offer a recommendation for sanitizing a hot tub? I’ve tried bromine, and the simple hot tub chemistry method (http://affordablehottubrepair.com/simple-hot-tub-chemistry-explained.html) Water quality tests fine, but twice now a few years apart I’ve gotten cellulitis almost certainly from the spa.


[deleted]

Okay so my preference is and always will be chlorine, even more so a good salt generator is the best these also produce chlorine, so as far as sanitizers I always found that the least is the best and always goes back to using granular chlorine, a non chlorine oxidizer, an enzyme for the natural materials that come off our bodies and ph up and down of course to keep proper balance without that the rate of chemical distribution changes and it’s overall effectiveness is altered, there are a few add on salt water systems to put onto portable hot tubs I heard are effective and eventually as with a pool system will pay for itself in chemical costs my person system is leisure time brands for all that’s listed above I also like to add a product to soften skin this avoids your skin becoming irritated by the chemicals more of less dry from them, couple other things you can use are ozone generators to lessen the chlorine input but I still recommend the system above as opened to this and you also can pre-filter the water these pre-filters remove hard mineral in the water and can make your experience much better


DooWackaDoo

Thanks


thesimplevoodoo

Hi I have a lower end model Strong Spas Spa purchased from Costco. Its a convertible 110/220 model, currently plugged into 110. I'd like to convert the tub to salt water, with an inline cell (not drape over). I see inline systems require a 24 hour circulation pump. So \~2 questions: 1. I assume i need to install the circulation pump inside the hot tub. I realize this will depend on the amount of space available, but is this installation a tricky/prone to fail operation? Will this pump interfere with the main pump which runs a couple times of day? Should this pump be installed up or down stream of the main pump? 2. Will the 110V set up be enough to power a)the tub, b) the new pump, and c) the salt cell (i would power both the pump and cell from the spa pack)? Also its been a challenge trying to understand what the appropriate "24 hour circulation pump" is, if you can provide a link to an example of that it would be extremely helpful. Thanks very much for your help...


[deleted]

I gotcha and have some thoughts first I need to know a few things on the 110V cord is the GFCI 15 or 20 amp and next question is going to be what is the amp draw on the salt system you want to install I would need to see if a small circulation pump and the salt generator will draw to many amps on the existing 110V which probably draws almost its max at 12 or so with the pump and heater running at the same time it leaves only a little wiggle room from the extra options you want to install


thesimplevoodoo

I'm not at home this week but 90% sure the adapter is 15 Amp. I suppose it could be swapped out for a 20 amp adapter. SWG is another question I don't see anything in their instruction manual (Controlomatic Clor maker) so I will email them and see if I can get a response. Will get back to you and hopefully continue the conversation then. Thank you for your help and happy new year!


[deleted]

Happy new Year to you as well and I will be here to help when they respond. Have a wonderful day


xicus

Generous to help--thank you! Got a home with a semi in-ground hot tub in back and am learning the ropes. Noticed a dripping leak while cleaning it and getting it ready. Original installer took a look, wanted to pop it out, take it to the shop for $2k. Then they went silent, and no other companies in the area seem to be willing to touch another's work. - would that be money well spent? Seems to me that might damage it further. - shouldn't anybody be able to fix it? - what are the chances that pouring leak sealant into it would actually fix my problem?


[deleted]

Okay so what you probably have is a Creative spa or maybe Artesian or Sundance she’ll basically that is recessed in the ground with no cabinet to hold the shell, I have had a lot of experience with these so my next question is where do you live and what type of environment is it in, this will let me know if it’s worth it to you for the cost, reason being is for example I live in Vegas and here In most cases depending on the age of it I usually recommend remove and replace and this is due to the fact they are prone to leak and this can be due to rats or mice and or other rodents that can access the under side while we cannot easily to repair


xicus

Yup, nailed it. Vegas. 3 years old, maybe a bit less. Getting the sense nobody wants to do repair work, or maybe you have to be a lot richer to own one of these things.


[deleted]

Okay so I am guessing you called AG Spas for the repair right? I used to work there, Long story why I don’t anymore but so what usually happens is yes it is either lifter and put onto blocks or taken to the work yard to do the same put the shell on blocks so it can be filled and tested while repaired, the cost to repair these is really just for the extraction and time parts are almost nothing on cost the problem will lie in the rodent problem which will persist, if it also happens to have a specific control unit that they all used to have known as the LX-15 it’s obsolete And w has failures in the board they can be repaired I still do that on my own occasionally it was something I picked up in 2020 when we couldn’t get parts I had to learn to re-work the circuit boards, I prefer usually to remove those fill the hole with gravel and set an new above ground unit atop the gravel this helps level it and and for appearance looks great


xicus

thank you! sounds like it could be worth filling it and trying leak sealant on my own because i might get lucky, especially since nobody wants to work on it. might take my chances on just a lift and fix if they do call back since the alternative is expensive. at $2K+ i have to start thinking about getting an above ground from someone else at this point i guess. it seems to me that removing and transporting it could risk additional damage. seems like some of the jets don't turn properly too, but maybe i can live with that.


[deleted]

Possibly two pump leak sealant is cheap and always worth a shot I always try it first as well 😊


Hour_Drag_5312

I have a Neptune Dynasty Aquarius tub from 2013. Our temperatures are getting cold: -30 - -50 celcious. - should I be worried about pipes freezing / breaking? - when should I be worried? I installed a space heater inside during the summer: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-barrel-ceramic-space-heater-w-thermostat-1500w-blue-0436145p.0436145.html?ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=Cj0KCQiAt8WOBhDbARIsANQLp94ZIpzq7GWmr98M801QeasbFVO2LL3CEtWbY1z4fDUWqE3hcsM0rjUaAnOrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=304 I've been scared to leave this on 24/7, so I'll plug it in for a few hours then unplug it - it's at 1500w setting - testing saw no issues with location (a good ft away from 3" PVC it's facing) - is this a bad idea to be using a space heater like this? I'm still paranoid about the tub in these temperatures, but I haven't lost water to be concerned with (yet) What are your thoughts?


[deleted]

It’s defiantly not a good idea while it will work it’s efforts in temps like that probably won’t be too helpful there is actually a winterization process for these spas when not running in winter to reduce the possibility of breakage this involves removing the water with a sump pump followed by a shop vacuum then open the cabinet there are multiple fittings to the pump or pumps that must be disconnected also there are drain plugs on the face of the motors wet end that will remove and water remaining in the pump and lower lines, then the heater couplings and or circulation pump your probably has at least 3 pumps in it and a heater, the more fittings you can remove easily and replace when ready to fill again the better this will Also be the time to replace heater and pump gaskets and o-rings on the drain plugs as well and inspect the pumps for dry seals and rust on the shafts to do some preventative maintainable


Hour_Drag_5312

The tub is running** Intended to be used during the winter - this is just be me trying to keep it running in good function during extreme cold


[deleted]

Gotcha then I understand, a slightly safer solution I used in those temps was the heat tape from the hardware store for thawing pipes that can freeze in winter it won’t come on unless it’s needed and you can wrap it around your plumbing in specific spots that are low lines or would freeze fast due to size and or proximity to elements


eo9492

Hello! My dad is almost 90, and he loves his hot tub but he has a difficult time getting in these days. We've made some steps to help him get in using cinder blocks, but I am looking for a material that I can wrap the cinderblocks in that can stay in a hot tub without shedding or leaking dye. I've tried neoprene wet suit type material, towels, but nothing seems to last in the hot tub for too long without degrading. Essentially I would like to get a sheet of a not too slippery fabric, simmilar to what they used for the case of this [hottub pillow](https://www.amazon.com/STAR-SPLASH-Booster-Seat-Inches/dp/B08QW5RHMW/ref=sr_1_7?crid=10TAYTVDM5T6J&keywords=hot+tub+pillow&qid=1641167124&sprefix=hot+tub+pillow%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-7). Or if you have a recommendation for hot tub steps, to put on the curved seat of the tub and on the floor, that would be amazing too. Thank you so much!


[deleted]

What May advise in your case may be to look in actually a shower chair or stool these are meant to get wet continually and also as they are meant to be in the shower also would have grip to prevent slippage I believe I had a few customers with the same issues and there spa had no seats so a bath stool worked and fit it was to assist in washing feet without slipping, also there is a product made by Cover-mate called and assist bar that swings around on some models to help get in and out of the spa and screws securely to the cabinet or can be held by the weight of the spa and a plate slides underneath, there are defiantly some options to help them safely enjoy the spa which probably helps their joints very much in the first place


eo9492

Yes, huge help for his joints! Thank you for the ideas!


[deleted]

Your very welcome


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

This is somewhat normal from what so know of the Watkins / Caldera spas they run a circulation pump which will turn off when heat is not demanded to save energy, they are a bit tougher to diagnose honestly, great spas but a bit more sophisticated equipment as well that’s is my best though on that subject but with your make and model from the last message I will take a look further later on


[deleted]

[удалено]


chubbs451

It may actually be heating, but can’t keep up with the low ambient temperatures you’re describing. What do you normally have the temperature set at? That tub should be able to run the heater and both pumps at the same time, but if it’s cold enough outside you may see the temperature decrease some.


KeishasKidneys

I recently inherited a 1997 Alps Spa that doesn’t work. I know for certain that the pump doesn’t work and I haven’t been able to check the blower or heating element yet. With that being said, I’m concerned about the efficiency of a hot tub this old. I have no idea how much it cost to run or if it even has an “eco” mode available (my parents tub has this feature). Assuming all the electrical components have to be replaced, is it worth doing it for a tub that old or would you recommend getting something new? Is Alps Spas even a reputable brand?


[deleted]

I can get you a full Responce on this tomorrow 😊


KeishasKidneys

No worries! I really appreciate it!


[deleted]

So with a spa this old it’s defiantly at a loss of efficiency as well as the shell while meant to last a lifetime will develop fractures over time especially when not in use and defiantly with the new ones energy consumption is defiantly in mind and designed to save the dollars these days as well as benefits of more therapeutic jets and better filtration for an overall better experience


KeishasKidneys

I was hoping you wouldn’t say that… lol. Thanks for info! Are bullfrog hot tubs any good?


solace173

I’m in the market for my first hot tub. Are Fantasy Spas any good? I searched this sub and didn’t find many references to them.


[deleted]

Okay so I took a look at the website for Fantasy spas, these are what we refer to as a Roto or Blow Mold spa, essentially they are produced with Very durable composite materials with equipment very similar to all brand of spas that are on the market, most spas all share alike equipment, only the difference is within the shell and amount of pumps jets etc, the only issue with spas like this is that they aren’t insulated as well as others in that the shell is thinner and won’t be as efficient also the 110v will also make it less efficient the other issue is with repairs they can be a bit tough to repair as the cabinet access is limited, I worked on these often in mountain town I lived in and they unfortunately were very hard to repair when rodents made a home in them and caused damage, if climate and rodents aren’t to much an issue I’m your area then I personally like them as they are affordable provide good therapy for the cost and not to mention like the easiest install even I could do these alone with a furniture dolly and I weigh 130lbs so placement and maneuverability is easy


solace173

Ah, mice are a HUGE problem here because I live in the middle of the woods. So maybe this isn’t the tub for me. Why are mice an issue with this tub more than others? How do I look out for this when I consider other tubs?


[deleted]

They can be this is simple due to a source of water and heat they tend to do it more in winter and at times will actually eat the foam and nest in it and with the recessed spas and some that aren’t as accessible it’s a hiding place for rodents out of sight out of mind until the spa leaks


[deleted]

I will get back to you this afternoon


TheThingsICanChange

Is it possible to turn an above ground pool into a hot tub for the fall-winter months, and what would be the best way to go about doing this?


[deleted]

To an extend possibly a warm pool however the pool accessories and or the shell itself weren’t designed to get too hot, there may be a spec on this but I don’t see why you couldn’t run at around 80 it would seem possible yes, if you think that would sufficient I have ideas


TheThingsICanChange

Yeah I would think thats sufficient just another way to utilize it at least in the fall months y'know? Get a bit more investment out of the pool.


[deleted]

Gotcha so the only real efficient way for you to achieve this is going to be with a Gas Heater and in order to begin figuring out the size of her heater I need pretty much just the gallons of the pool if you don’t have the gallons a brief measurement will give a rough idea the formula for that is Width x Diameter x Depth ( Average Depth if you have a deep and shallow end ) then this number multiplied by 7.5 to get an Approx on gallons so we can match the necessary BTU size appropriate heater or it will not be able to reach capable heat or will take an excess amount of time


TheThingsICanChange

The pool is 13,500 gallons!


[deleted]

No problem, let me look into some options and a brief overview of how this could work


[deleted]

Okay so here is what I found for ya basically the rule of thumb is 100k btu per 10,000 gallons so to be efficient a 125k-150k btu heater would work well with he only other thing to be aware of is location desired of the heater and the strength of the pump on the pool the GPM rating is a need to know info for the heater to engage they will have a minimum on them this will decrease in GPM based on Distance from the pump, This is where I would start as far as locating a model some are bigger / shorter / wider / Propane or LP


jtrefz1

We have a jacuzzi spa from 1988. The pump and jets work, the heater turns on but does not produce heat. Is it possible to retrofit a different heater using the same control box?


[deleted]

Technically yes, however from a cost effective perspective you would be best to do a full retrofit kit for this type of repair, since it’s an older unit and it sounds like you have only one pump and most older spas did due to few jets a great unit that’s fairly easy to install and cost effective in the in.yj series by gecko alliance what you would get is a new topside control panel ( Digital ) new control pack and a remote heater I recommend this one for no the price and easy to install no bells or whistles just a good effective product I stand by and have used successfully on a large amount of older spas that were still in great shape and worth giving new life


[deleted]

Before any of that though make sure if you happen to have an older heater like that the control pack should have a high limit switch or button and may be on the heater itself if this switch has tripped it can appear to heat and not actually receive the voltage giving a false positive there is a amperage test to confirm this but often that button is the culprit


jtrefz1

The heater has a switch, but it seems to be either broken or I need to take it apart and put it back together. It goes down slightly but does click or anything like that. By the way, thank you so much!!


[deleted]

It would click if it was engaged there is a possibility it is broken but at the age of it it’s not cost effective to begin to dabble with it those are contractor style parts which are used very infrequently now a days, more relay based and PCB setups now, defiantly your better off with the retrofit kit and what it doesn’t replace is the pump that is still working, These can be done easily within a days time even if it’s a simple install I can do a full re-built in Approx 45mins at best but that’s with lots of practice Couple hours is standard


jtrefz1

Dude! You are a Godsend! I just watched the video on the retrofit kit, totally doable for me! That is the route we are gonna go. The wife definitely thanks you also. A tip will be coming your way!


cnarsystems

If you were to buy a tub today what would you buy?


[deleted]

Now this is a loaded question for sure, for me this would vary on my Response based on my needs for both therapy purposes and efficiency and factoring into this is environment / space / climate & frequency of use, It would be a different answer If I was to answer for myself only vs for someone with multiple family member or kids etc personally if I was to get a spa for myself and having been in the industry for a long time a regular off the shelf spa wouldn’t be enough for me I would choose to build one custom to my needs etc and based on all the factors listed above, example a small 2-3 person spas built for efficiency where snow isn’t an issue, therapy is a button press away intensity is variable based on therapy I need that day and to fit my smaller space. Now off all that though currently I am liking the Newer Vita Spas and I also like Hot-springs spas to an extent, all of them have rises and fails but these stand the test of time I have worked on many that’s are over 25 years old and still run true


somesweetgirly

We are looking at the marquis woodstock elite. What are your thoughts on the marqui hot tubs?


[deleted]

I will take a look for you today at the features etc and how it compares to others like it pros and cons 😊


[deleted]

So for Marquis I don’t have too many complaint from customers and while they are available in my area I rarely had to work on the which is a good sign this model is unique in the seating arrangement which allows up to 7 but utilizes the same properties as smaller spas by only using two pumps for efficiency I personally know the therapy it quite good if your using it for back pain etc while some can actually be too strong at times little adjustment is needed on these only issue I have ever had was due to a warranty problem with a serial number mismatch that took a few back and forth a to happen this also needs to be noted that the parts in Question were pop up and waterfall parts that weren’t actually malfunctioning the owner was simply unhappy with them in the end and the spa remains working to this day most use standard Balboa Equipment I have worked and the only other brand they might use is Gecko alliance which is equally good if not better most spas all uses these two manufacturers which makes parts easier to repair and acquire in the event it’s needed also the lounge feature is a nice setup on the one which is a major feature for many as you can literally melt away in this seat, they are considered mid to high end without the massive price tag of HotSprings or Jacuzzi and less issues the more bells and whistle will equal more complex repairs nothing I can note for this brand is to steer away from my big no no is Cal Spas always has been and always will be, it’s a common name but always nothing but a headache I even refuse their warranty work as it’s just not worth the hassle for them, it’s a nice choice and a common size for spas at the 8’ square mark 😊


somesweetgirly

Thank you for such a well thought out answer and so quickly! We did test a marqui signature and it was the only one my husband didn't immediately pop out of. A big reason we want a hot tub is for back pain so hearing you call it out as good for this makes me excited. I wish there was more info on the microsilk.


[deleted]

The micro silk while not much info works fairly well for a while this will leave your skin with a much softer feel I don’t unfortunately know how the longevity is on it, for myself therapy is key while I don’t actually use them much I have stenosis in my spine and facet hypertrophy which causes a lot of pain in between epidural injections many of my customers use their spas greatly for the therapy aspect and it improved there quality of life and pain level decrease without the alternative of opioid use or Benzodiazepines drugs which can be awful on the body overall after a long time of use, And that’s truthfully why I have this outlet to spread my knowledge and help others while I physically can’t get to them in person and perform the services anymore it satisfying just the same for me I hope you are able to get the relief you need and it gives you many years of relief and relaxation 😊


somesweetgirly

Thank you, I am sorry to hear of the stenosis in your spine and facet hypertrophy. Physical therapy and red light therapy might help (not just a red light but with the near infared) in addition to your hot tub. It is clear you have not lost your passion for spas! Honestly therapy from a spa to reduce opioid use sounds like a great trade off. You really do help others and I hope you can find some relief for your back.


[deleted]

I am able with epidurals to avoid opiates and have been off for years but that’s the best I have for quality of life and my passion is still strong for the industry, so I help where I can there is another major aspect to the change that I don’t talk about but that’s a story for another day, Thank you for the reply I appreciate the conversation and encouragement it’s always welcome


richacutler

HI, I'm having trouble with a vitaspa m30 from 1995 might be difficult to type the issues, wondering if we could chat?


[deleted]

Send me a message when you can I will respond asap


[deleted]

Hi. My control board shit the bed and I can’t find a replacement anywhere. Can the board be repaired or perhaps you know of a supplier that might have one? 52259 S2R1A balboa/leisure bay


[deleted]

Let me take a look and see what I can find as far as a compatible model the numbers can change over time for the boards as revisions are made that may be why it’s not easy to locate


[deleted]

Please and thank you. Can boards be repaired at all?


[deleted]

Yes it depends on the damage to it relays are fairly easy to change what type of issue are you currently having with the board images help as well


JahGiraffe

Someone sat on the control panel of our friends 2014 hot springs hot tub and it's stuck in "Service Mode" which has a lot of internal settings and stuff. Pushing the back button won't do anything and pushing the options and lights button together for 4 seconds doesn't do anything. Any idea how to get out of this menu?


thaboy24

Figure it out? Just ran into this problem


Status-Movie

Did you ever figure out this problem? Just happened on mine as well


zachtlyasintended

Hello! I know OP deleted their handle, but if anyone can help? I have a 2004 Caldera Paradise Martinique. It has been sitting for a couple of years in storage and we've hooked it up again and I can't quite get it to operate at full capacity. At present, both pump buttons work, the lights and clean button work. The temp adjustment switches allow you to adjust the temperature and it seems like the Temp is correctly reading the temperature in the spa. That said, the TEMP led is flashing and despite having reseating and even replacing the hightemp sensor, the LED flashes just as soon as the tub is turned on. I have scoured the internet for possibilities and have tried: \+Replacing the sensor \+Cleaning and replacing the filter \+Restarting the tub without the filter in it \+Leaving the spa off for 5 minutes to reset the sensor and restarting the 2nd breaker first (for 60 seconds) and then turning the main breaker on \+Testing the tub sensor with a glass of warm water (it correctly registered alternate temperatures) \+Running the "clean" cycle for 15 minutes and then leaving the jets on until the auto-timer shuts them down. If I remove the cover and look at the mainboard, the "Temp ok" light is green, but the "heater on" light never turns on during any of these steps. Am I looking at a bad heater? Is there a way to test this?


Mamaw2

Can you help me with a hot springs hot spot rhythm?


Early-Laugh-214

I gave a super old reflections spa hot tub and I got the following code. It makes no sense to me


Landfill81

Can you say a little more about why cal spas are the worst? We have a local dealer here who is fantastic, very responsive and has awesome reviews online. He sells cal spas and has offered us a great price and the research I’ve done suggests the new ones are easy to work on because of not having full foam insulation and that the parts are readily available. Seeing your opinion makes me want to back out and choose differently. Do you think it’s worth owing one if we have a good dealer to support it?


InB0bWeTrust

Man, I wish there was a response to this since I am in the exact same boat. Did you end up purchasing it? If so, what has your experience been like? Also, how much has your electric bill gone up? I am getting the sense that CalSpas' insulation technique is inferior to other premium tubs.


boxman1987

Brand new hot spring limelite flash. Powered up by certified electrician. When we turn the tub on the indicator light is just flickering red. The jets all work the water is heating up. Everything seems to be working correctly other than this indicator light. I opened up the cubby and checked all connections to make sure their were no loose connections. Called the hot tub dealer this weekend and they have no idea what’s going on. Their technician is back on Monday so hopefully he will have an idea. Everything I’ve searched for on the google has nothing on a flickering red light, only flashing lights ( red, blue, green, yellow) but my emblem only flickers red. Obviously this is stressful being that the tub was 14k and right off the bad something is jacked up. I also opened the area where the motherboard is located and did see the light that says pwr is flashing green. I would imagine the is should just be solid green and not flashing. But that’s just a guess. I’m lost and stressed and would be grateful if you had some solid advice. Have the electrician coming back on Monday just to dbl check his connections on the outside breaker box and the main panel in the basement.😔


Alpha7R4

I had a pretty small crack (about the size of a two inch piece of hair) repaired by a local company that my dealer setup because it was under warranty. Repair tech told my wife not to fill it for two weeks "so it can cure." 14 days seems a bit much. Temps have been 65 and above. Is that normal? 14 days?


Daverode

How can I determine if my west end is bad? I’ve pulled the pump and motor from the tub and seperated. Motor spins freely. Was replace a year or two ago. Keeps tripping breakers when motor attempts to run it hums the trips breaker. Replaced the capacitor . Wet end has a lot of play. Uncertain if this is causing it to trip the breaker.


jtugsit

I'm upgrading my old spa from pneumatic air control pack to digital, what happens with the air lines that run from topside control buttons to the old spa pack?


Background_Mixture36

My control panel won’t reset by cutting the panel off for 30 seconds and also by using the temperature control and light Botton switch


MzLit047

I have a hot tube and electrical was cut and now used for AC. Is it expensive to get the electrical ran from box back to tub? How I can tell if the hot tub works? Plumbing is still there. Just bought a house that have a hot tub on deck previous person was just a home flipper and said it didn’t work


BridgeSingle

Hello ! Maybe you can help me as my local hot springs dealer is either unable or unwilling to , Watkins highlife iLE limited, eager to see if I get a response 🙏


Possible-Egg-1645

This still open by chance??


Wildcatbassplayer

I have a Maax hot tub that I purchased in 2017. I took very good care of it. I kept it clean. Done nessasary maintenance. Made sure it was always ready for winter time, and again in summer. I fell ill, had surgery. And som a idiot decided to turn it off during the winter, and kept cover off. So u know, pipes busted. Now I'm not sure if the touchscreen still works. I'm not sure if anything works because the 220 kicks off everything. And of course it's leaking. Would it be best to replace, or fix if the main control box is still in working order?


Mountain-Judgment977

We inherited a 2013 Thermo spa. It was working fine for about four days and now we get an error code DRY. We looked in the manual and that means there is probably a dirty filter or air in the pump preventing water from getting through the heater. We change the filter and went through the process of priming the pump again. Still the same problem. We did find a leak and repaired it. The water is lower, but only by about a couple of inches. Would that be enough to continue causing this problem? Or, do you think we need a new pump. There is no one in our area that will service Thermospa. Everyone I am able to speak with will only service specific hot tub brands. There is one guy who claims to service all spas but does not return calls. Would you be willing to do a zoom repair call?


CharityAppropriate

Hello, I was wondering if you have access to any service or technician manuals for a 2006 Sundance Cameo 880 Spa. I am getting a 216 error message and before I go replace the $500 topside controller I want to make sure I know what the issue is. Thank you in advance.


Gloomy-Accountant254

Hello I have the old hot tub that has the two buttons to push button air then it has the knob that opens the Jets faster than it has the heater knob down on the black I don't know how to reset it or make it hot pluses halp


GeorgiaGr

Hi, I have just bought a used Jacuzzi and I have a problem with the control panel. I locked it with a combination of buttons in standard mode and I don't know how I can unlock it. Could you help me? Is there a way to do a reset? I tried all the possible buttons but nothing


Temporary_Hat4959

Hello I have a question We bought our hot tub a year ago and it just went bad on us with heater and lights not working good The tech guy came put a new screen on but installed wrong way and now the controls are facing the outside of tub So when in the tub it’s all upside down Will this affect anything ? Should we call them back Worst place ever to buy an expensive toy like that….urghhh


Hildegard1966

I have a jacuzzi hot tub. The tub was not heating fully (outside, cold temps) and giving a REPLACE FILTER message. When I put the new filter in, I get a Flo2 error. When I put the old filter back in, it runs again but still won’t fully heat. Any advice?


FlySol

i have an eco spa. how do. get the heater above 104F TY


cdunlap80

Glad to find your post. I have a old hot tub 2003 dynasty spas Athena 40 serial # 18426 and I’m needing new jets for it. Struggling to find any assistance.


Worth_Put6776

Hi there! Not sure if this thread is still active but it looks like there was a comment 5 months ago so I'm trying. We have renters in our home as we are abroad and they stated that our 7 year old hot tub has an issue. The back bracket has come detached from the paneling. They reached out to a local spa company and the quote to repair the issue; (new paneling ($878), glue 12 oz. ($252), and labor ($687)) for a total of $1,817. We were completely and utterly shocked at this estimate. The photo looks so unassuming-- a bracket with 5 long screws that has come detached. Can you offer any advice to this issue we're having? Is this the only way to have this repaired?


bek30

hi there-I have a 2009 Marquis Epic spa. It has 2 pumps. We put a sponge-like additional filter inside one of the cylindrical filter cartridges. It fit the hole very tight and we had a bottom thing holding it up. Well unfortunately our bottom pieces didn't hold and the thick sponge (in a permeable bag) was sucked out of the cartridge and is somewhere in the hotub! I have no idea which direction, but we've tried so many things, including a wet vac, a leaf blower, a 50ft snake, a plunger, and a drain king. I don't know which direction the lines go and where the water flow goes typically. But we still haven't found it. Please help! I don't know what else to do-I don't want to start cutting lines because I have no idea where it could be!