Troubleshoot a Hot Tub

Below is a guideline to help you understand what may be wrong with your hot tub. You should have a Certified Electrician or Qualified Spa Technician perform any technical troubleshooting or otherwise you may void your warranty.  If you have any questions please call our Spa Technical Support Department

1. NOT HEATING - During the winter months this can be a real problem.  Here are a few things for you to check before calling our technical department.
   • SYSTEMS- If you have a Balboa System your topside will indicate a OH. If you have a Gecko System you see three (3) flashing dots below the temperature readout.
   • Check to see if your filter/filters are clean.  (filters should be cleaned at least every three months to include changing your hot tub water). Using a clean and dry filter when re-installing. Could cause flow problem.
   • Check your water level in your hot tub which should come just over the weir door for just over the filter basket. Could cause a flow problem.
   • Check to see if your slip valves are fully extended which allows proper flow. Sometimes during shipping this will close and you will have a flow problem. Your hot tub will have two of these valves which are located on each side of your pump/motor.
   • Adjust your pressure switch.  Depending on your hot tub model , the adjustments may vary. If you have this type of switch Part # 2551, Part # 2852 or Part# 5307 you will turn the black wheel from right to left to adjust. Make small adjustments at a time and check to see if heating. IMPORTANT  Make sure you have shut off your electrical power before adjusting.
   • If your indicator light is on and not heating, then have an electrician check your heater element for continuity.  Between the two posts a reading of 9-12 ohms should be read with a good ohm meter - otherwise the heater element (6000/1500 Walts 120/120V with 12" Immersion)  is bad and should be replaced (Part# 4046)
   • Element (Heater) - if you have a good element then it could possibly be a relay problem. If you have a board it controls the relays and the board itself would require replacement. If you have an air switch model then the relay T92  (Part# 5070) and needs to be changed.
   • High Limit - On air switch models check to see if the High Limit Reset Button is tripped out.
2. Hot Tub continues to run after it has been shut off.
   Heating element may be defective and then the hot tub will remain on sensing it is still heating the water. At any time after the hot tub jets has been shut off, the pump will begin cycling the water if the temperature falls below the minimum setting.  Note: If the water is already below the minimum setting, the pump will not shut off.
3. Hot Tub will not operate.
   Check to see if the GFCI breaker is tripped or was not turned on.  Reset the GFCI.  If the hot tub is equipped with a 110V power cord with a ground fault circuit interrupter, insure that it is not tripped (reset). No other appliance should be on the same circuit.  Replace the power cord immediately if it becomes damaged. (DO NOT use extension cords)
4. Circuit breaker trips while the hot tub is operating.
   Reset the circuit breaker or the GFCI if the hot tub trips the breaker again, if problem continues, please see the following, if the following does not correct the issue, please contact our Service Department. 
   • The filter may be dirty or damaged.
   • The air blower may be defective causing to trip. Try this - (unplug the blower from pack and try to operate spa) if it trips again then call for service, if it does not trip please allow 24 hours for the blower internals to dry and reinstall blower. If GFCI continues tripping please call for service.
   • The ozonator may be defective causing to trip. Try this - (unplug the ozonator  from pack and try to operate hot tub) if it does not trip, please call for service.
5. Pump hums or does not rotate or is noisy.
   • The filter(s) may be dirty or damaged.
   • The pump may have a foreign object stuck in the impeller.
   • The pump may have a loose wire connection.
   • The pump may be jammed possible bad bearing or shaft sheared off.
   • Replace pump with same or upgrade.