Ask The Pros Swimming Pool and Spa Help and Information

Spa Season

The cool weather is approaching here in the desert and spa season is upon us. This is a good time to do some basic maintenance on your spa that may have been neglected. I will endeavor a short list below.

• Spa Wood - If you have wood siding on your spa it needs periodic treatment. Here in the desert we soak the cellular moisture back in the wood with a linseed oil based deck stain. In wetter climates you may have a need for some Thompson's Water Seal. But wherever you live the thin slats on the sides of your spa don't live forever without some attention.
• Spa Cover - Spa Covers need care too, helps them last much longer. A simple washing with soap and water and some sun protection is all they need. By far the best protectant I have ever used is 303, I use it on my car and yard furniture as well. 
• Filter Cartridges - Give your cartridge a good soaking in some TSP or Filter Cleaner. If your filter cartridge is no longer white, is getting "fuzzy" from the fibers breaking down, or is more than about 2 years old, it is time to replace it. If you get the filter cartridge and a tape measure near the computer you can use the filter cartridge finder to locate a new one.
• Test Kit - A spa is a much more pleasant place and needs repairing less often when the water chemistry is kept correctly. Make sure your test kit is of a good quality and that the reagents inside are not more than a year or so old. If you are using strips or a poor quality kit you should upgrade to better protect your spa, I use the Taylor Residential "Trouble-Shooter" Kit at my home.
• Don't forget if you are having any troubles with your spa technical or otherwise, feel free to email me for advice.

Replacing Cal Spas 4000 Control Pack

Q: We are looking for a "spa-pack" and top side controls for a 1996 CalSpa Step Lounger with a Balboa system 4000 spa pack (model number of the spa pack that we currently have is:

DE-C4000-DCAH) which needs replacing.

 

These are the specifications taken from the tub, hopefully they will help:   

 

 

1.  Pump:  2 speed pump 230V   3400RPM's  and 1725RPM's.   10 1/2 and 3 1/3 AMPS

 

2.  Pump:  Single speed 230V  4hp   3450RPM's @ 12AMPS.

 

3.  Blower:  1hp  230V  3.8AMP

 

4.  Heater:  8.8KW (this was hard to read, ?5.5?)  530gal. tub.  What do you recommend?

 

5.  Tub light (1)  12V?

 

6.  Ozonator:  "DelZone"  Not sure if we need the whole "ozonator" but the bulb is bad (part# 5-0400). Are there other problems with an ozonator that we might just consider replacing the whole thing vs. just a bulb.  Price difference??

 

7.  Plumbing connections:  2".   Centers of plumbing connections measure roughly 2 3/4". 

 

8.  Overall length of heater is 15".

 

This unit has 2 top side controllers, is this still available for this model?

Plug ins are EH cord plugs is what I could identify.

Supplied with 220V 50AMP service.

 

We look forward to hearing from you regarding pricing, availability, and/or advice. 

 

A: The 4000 was a custom made system for Cal Spa, but there are some "off the shelf" packs you can replace it with. In your case I would use the VS0510Z. It will run a 2 speed pump, 1 speed pump, blower, light and ozone.  It is 5.5 KW like yours and uses a 15" heater with the same connections. You can see details on it here:

VS-510Z Spa Control System

For a second spaside you can either use an identical panel to the main panel:

Balboa Serial Serial Digital Panel

Or a simple 2 button panel:

Auxiliary Control Panel

As for the ozone, they are usually best replaced as whole units. Balboa makes one to go with their controllers:

Balboa Spa Ozone Generator

 

Dave

Hot Tub Blower Won't Run

Q: We have a Streamline Hot Tub and I'm having problems with the air blower
motor. The motor will start but quits after running a few seconds. Can you
tell me where to start looking for the problem?  Also if you know of any
schematics that would be helpful I would like to see those if possible.  I
appreciate any assistance you can give.
Thanks!! 

A: You most likely have a bad blower motor. The blowers motors have brushes and
tend to wear down over time. After a while they start overheating and can
shut down promptly.

I would check if when the blower shuts down it is still getting power from
the spa pack. If it is, then get a replacement. I would use one of the
millennium blowers, choose one with the appropriate voltage.

If your spa pack is not sending voltage to the blower when it shuts down,
then let me know who makes your spa pack and we will talk about troubles in
the pack.

Thank you!

David

Cracked Discharge on Frozen Pump

Q: hi aqua man - i have a fairly old (1999) spa. I had spa pack problems,
which led to not winterizing, and a cracked plastic discharge. Is there
anyway to get just the plastic piece without getting a whole new motor?

A: Those parts are almost always available, but we will need to identify your
parts first. Can you find any identifying marks, or can you email by some
pictures? 

David

Clogged Whirlpool Bath Jets

Q: HOW DO I UN-CLOG THE JETS IN MY WHIRLPOOL BATH?

A: What do you mean unclog?

If you are talking a lack of water you might want to check for something
inside the pump inside the impeller. Or you can check the orifices in the
jets, if you look in the back of the jets you will see a smaller hole in the
back.  I usually run a screwdriver down through those with the water running
through to dislodge whatever is stuck.

Thank you,

Dave

Master Controller Hayward PSC 2100 Series PSC2101

Q: I am looking to find a replacement Master Controller for my Hayward PSC 2100 Series system. The part # is PSC2101. Can you help me?

A: I have officially been turned down by Hayward ad the folks who made the boards and heads for them.  I have also called around country to supply houses and found none. I cannot get you the panel that you need.

We may have to consider a new control system. If you would like to talk about it give me a call and we'll figure out the best system for you.

Q: Perhaps you can give me suggestions.... How about a new Hayward system that is similar enough to what I have so that I can use the same wiring, etc. that I have in place. Is that a possibility?

A: I will need to know a few things before I make a recommendation.

What kind of equipment do you need to operate? 

Pump?
Air blower?
Light?
Heater?
Second pump?

Do you have a temperature control over by the spa or just the one in the house?

Tell me as much as you can about you system so that I can make an informed choice.  We also have created a Spa Pack Picker  to help find the right spa control pack.

Hayward no longer makes one anything like yours. They were getting them made by Balboa then they purchased one of Balboa's competitors and started making a completely different sort of system and cut off all support for yours.

Thanks,
Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com

Instructions for Waterco 2 Way Valve

Q: instructions for waterco 2 way valves... what does "this port cannot be closed" mean?

A: Your valve has one inlet and two outlets. When used normally the water comes in the inlet and is diverted to one outlet, the other outlet or a mix of both. If you rotate the valve so that the diverter completely covers the inlet hole, then the water has nowhere to go.  If your water has nowhere to go it will very sharply raise the pressure on your filter if your pump is running and this can be dangerous. You want to make sure to rotate the lid to a potion where it does not allow the diverter inside the valve to pass over the inlet hole.

Thank you ,
Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com

Balboa 2000 Circuit Board (spa overheating)

Q: I have an 8 year old Balboa 2000 model WH-SW100-CCAH the board has BORRD SW100 SOUTHWST VALU PAK sticker on it.  I have two controllers and two two-speed motors.  I disconnected the tub for two weeks for a long vacation. When I hooked the tub back up -- nothing.  All fuses and circuit breakers are good and the voltage at the board is good.  The system has been flashing OH (overheat) for the last couple months and I had to power cycle to get it to recover. I'm thinking it's a board failure.  I'm also guessing the 2000 Value board is the replacement.  Can you confirm this before I purchase the board? Is there anything I can check to ensure the board is the problem? Also the unit price for the Balboa 2000 replacement was not listed.  Is it better just to replace the whole thing versus just the board? How long can I expect the heater to last?

A: Overheating is more likely a sensor issue than a board issue, I would start by checking out my sensors. There is a high limit sensor and a temperature sensor. To test you can simply remove them from the board and put an ohm meter on them. They should be reading close to the same resistance, if they are far apart and are sensing the same temperature then one of them is defective.

There are two types of sensors you are likely to have, one is where there is a sensor in the spa wall and another strapped to the outside of the heater. The other would be an identical sensor at each end of the heater tub.

If you have the first arrangement you need this one:

Balboa Temperature Sensor/Hi Limit Assembly, Standard

If you have the two identical sensors you need this one:

Balboa Temp/Hi Limit Sensor Assembly

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Q: Thanks for your quick response.  Found both sensors and the both are closed with the same resistance.  Also now the tub won't power up. The indicator on the panel is not lighting up and the tub pumps don't cycle on power up. This looks bad.  On a side note the utility power here in Watkins Co is not good. We have multiple outages in the last year to include a couple of brown outs. In fact we had a brown out last night. Is there anything else I could check?

A: It sounds like you do in fact have a bad board. The can have voltage regulation problems and cause your overheating troubles but it is unusual. So we should get back to talking about a board.

Balboa makes a number of boards off the same stock. It will be essential to get a chip number off the main program chip top make sure you get the correct one. There is a program number on one of the main chips on the board. If you get me  that number I will guide you to the correct board. I attached an example of the number I need to this email.

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Q: Thanks for the example... The number on the chip is SW100R1A.  Also before I order just the board -- is it worth it to replace the whole unit?  And what the price difference?

A: This is the board you need:

2000 Value board (non M7 technology)

It is not exactly like the original version of the board. If you have two speed second pump the new boards will only operate your second pump on high speed. That unit currently runs $286.37.

Which new unit we would consider would depend on what equipment you have to operate. If you have a 2 speed pump & light only you need this one:

VS-500Z  Spa Control System

If you have a two speed pump plus a second pump OR an air blower - you need this one:

VS-501Z  Spa Control System

If you have a two speed pump plus a second pump AND an air blower - you need this one:

Balboa VS 510Z Spa Control System

Hope this helps

Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com

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Q: Dave sorry I called you on your cell -- I was down to the last two wires.... But my hot tub is up and operation. All functions work.  Thank you very much for your expertise.

A: It is no trouble, glad we could get you up and running. 

Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com

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Q: Now wouldn't you know it.... The secondary pump is intermittent.  I hear a loud hum or growl then I hear a click coming from the motor. As I hit the button I can hear the solenoid on the board click each time.  I'm thinking it's the overheat or overload relay on the pump.  It does work from time to time with no problem or funny noises.  So any suggestions. Gosh I hate to be a pain.

A: You sound like you have a start problem on the motor, or we are feeding it
the wrong voltage.

Is your second pump 110 volt or 220 volt. And if you put a meter on the two
leads feeding it at the same time, what voltage is going to it?

Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com

Side Discharge Acura-Maverick SPA Pump, Item # AE23015

Q: Regarding Acura-Maverick SPA Pump, Item # AE23015:  The comments about this pump indicate that it has a side discharge, but the picture shows a top discharge. I currently have a broken model 23015-4 that has a side discharge. Can the pictured model adjust to be a side discharge or is there a special item that I need to specify to order a side discharge?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

A: Side discharge does not refer to the direction the discharge is facing. It refers to the fact that the discharge is not in the center of the pump that it is set off to the right side. I know this can be confusing.

All the pumps are shipped with the discharge in an upright direction. If you need the discharge turned it only takes about 2 minutes to turn it on arrival. You need to loosen the four bolts that attach the pump to the motor and turn the whole pump end - pulling it away from the motor slightly. You do not need to disassemble the pump, merely need to turn it.
Thanks!
Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com

High Limit Switch?

Q: hi - i have a hydro quip ht-600. i have had a local hot tub company come out to my house for the 2nd time. the 1st time they did not look at the heating element but put a meter on it and said that it was fine. the tub will heat but when you turn it off the breaker on the tub box will trip. i also was in the basement and happened to see the light on the front of the box flickering on and off, i did not have the tub on. now they are telling me ineed a high limit switch. can you help me with this problem? thanks for your time

A: Tripping a breaker on turn off is odd. I would have a few questions.

Does this happen every time or once in a while? 
When you say "turn it off" do you mean turn down the thermostat?
Is your spa hooked up 100 or 220 volts?
When you say heats, do you mean that the spa will run and get up to
temperature until you do something else?

Let me know in  a little more detail what is up and I can be more helpful.

Thanks!
Dave   -   aqua-man.com     email: info@aqua-man.com