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SPA TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

If you are ever unsure of how to fix a problem with your spa, you are best to leave it to the professionals. Like any large appliance, a spa contains many interconnecting components which, when serviced poorly or improperly, can result in more extensive damage. Keeping this in mind, there are some things you can do before calling your service technician. This section will go over some of the most common spa problems and troubleshooting tips, and provide the steps you can take to do to get your spa back into working order.

First off, let’s take you through a potential troubleshooting scenario where your actions can really make a difference.

Scenario: It’s a Friday night in February, and your tub isn’t working. The breaker keeps tripping, and the tub is losing heat. Perhaps you live in an area where no service is available on the weekend. What do you do? Well, the most important thing to do is to make sure that no damage occurs from freezing. While it is unlikely that most tubs will freeze in only a few days, all manufacturers construct their tubs differently. If the hot tub is poorly insulated, there is a definite possibility for freezing after only a short time.

What you can do: Any hot tub owner would be smart to own a small ceramic or space heater. This way, if the above scenario ever presents itself, you’ll have the ability to prevent damage to the hot tub. Removing the skirt and placing the heater inside the cabinet can maintain a basic level of heat. The heater will only need to be kept on low setting in most cases. Be sure to place the ceramic heater near the pumps, because the pumps are most likely to form frost soon after cool conditions surround them. If you don’t have a ceramic heater, try using a trouble light (pictured right). This will also heat up the cabinet, but be sure to exercise caution using the light under poor weather conditions. If the hot bulb comes into contact with moisture or extreme cold, it could burst or cause a fire.

Error Messages
An error message will show up on your spa display to warn you of any potential danger and to protect the spa from damage. The messages will help you to troubleshoot problems; however, if the error messages persists, call your Ashton Pools, Ponds and Spas for service.

 

Message	Meaning
OH	Overheat Protection In this case, the heater is deactivated and the pump’s low speed is activated. The water temperature is above acceptable limits. Do not enter the spa. Remove the spa cover to speed up cooling. You can also lower the set temperature, so the pumps will stop operating and reduce frictional heating.
FLO	Flow Switch A flow switch error could mean that the proper flow of water through the system has been inhibited, and the heater or pump is inactive. Check the system for a clogged filter cartridge. It is common to get this error message after draining and refilling the spa. If air gets trapped anywhere in the plumbing line, it can inhibit the circulating pump or spa pump from priming. Make sure to prime the pump properly after refilling. As a rule, fill the plumbing lines before filling the rest of the tub. This error sometimes reads “FL1” on the screen instead of ‘FLO.” A second flow switch error (often indicated by ‘FL2’ or ‘FLO2’ on your display) can mean that the flow switch is closed or shorted upon system startup. The system will most likely be disabled in this situation, because the flow switch is non-functional. Contact Ashton Pools, Ponds and Spas for service.
-- -- --	Watchdog A series of three horizontal lines on your display could mean that the watchdog feature of your spa has initiated. The watchdog feature can be in place even when a blank display appears. As the name implies, the tub has been deactivated because the system has detected an internal problem that can cause damage to the spa and its components. Contact Ashton Pools, Ponds and Spas for service.
SN1 or PrH	Open or Shorted Sensor If the problem is an open sensor, the heater will be disabled. A shorted sensor usually means that the spa is completely disabled. The high-limit temperature sensor is non-functional in either case, and requires dealer service. For some manufacturers, the display message ‘Sn2’ denotes a shorted sensor. For Jacuzzi Premium Spas, the message ‘Sn3’ means that the main sensor is disabled and requires service.
COOL	Cool Sensor This is an indicator that the temperature of the spa water is 20 degrees lower than the set temperature. This usually occurs after refilling the spa when it has just started to heat under normal conditions. No maintenance required.
ICE or FP / FR / F	Freeze Protection For hot tubs that have freeze protection, the message ‘ICE’ will appear when cold weather conditions threaten to freeze the hot tub. Usually, no action is required on your part. Freeze protection allows for the pump and heater to circulate water until the threat is over.

Troubleshooting Guide

Included in this section are several of the most common problems a hot tub owner may encounter. We have included steps that you can take to reduce the amount of time your spa is out of commission to maximize your enjoyment. Contact Ashton Pools as soon as possible if you need to book service or get further advice.

1. There is no water flow, and the pump is humming.
The pump could have an obstruction in the wet end. If you are comfortable taking a look at the pump yourself, turn off the power to the spa and close the valve in front of the pump to cut off water flow. Disconnect the pump and look inside the wet end for any obstruction in the impeller. Try to turn the impeller with your hand or with a pair of pliers—if the impeller turns freely, the pump has an internal or electrical problem. Otherwise, there could be an electrical problem, or the pump’s capacitor could be defective. If you think it is the pump, you can disconnect it and bring it in for service. If you don’t think the problem is pump related, contact Ashton Pools for a service call.

2. Reduced water flow / Reduced jet pressure.
There are several different possibilities for a reduction in water flow or jet pressure:

• A dirty filter cartridge can reduce water flow. If you remove the spa’s filter cartridge and notice a big improvement in the flow, it is time to either clean the filter or replace it altogether.
• Check to make sure that the water level in the spa is high enough. Top up the spa if needed.
• If the spa plumbing has an obstruction, water flow will be reduced. With the power to the spa disconnected, remove the spa pump and check the wet end for any obstruction. Inspect the impeller to make sure it is turning freely.
• Inspect the jets to make sure they are properly adjusted. An obstruction in the jets will cause backpressure through the system and reduce water flow.

3. The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) keeps tripping.
Mike Kennedy, our spa service technician, insists that in this situation the culprit is a faulty heater element ninety percent of the time. You should not attempt to service this on your own. A properly working GFCI will not allow the tub to operate when the element is faulty. The second, but much less likely, possibility is that the GFCI is no longer working properly. Call Mike at Ashton Pools to confirm the problem and recommend the course of action.

4. None of the components operate.
Check the lights on the control panel. Take note of any error messages and respond according to your owner’s manual or check the error messages included in this section. If nothing appears on the screen, the tub could be in ‘watchdog’ mode or could have no power to it at all (depending on the manufacturer). Check your household circuit breaker to see if it was tripped, and reset it if it has. You can also try turning the power off and on, as sometimes this can do the trick. If there is no change, then you will need dealer service to determine what has failed.

5. Pump does not operate but light does.
If the light is working, you know that there is power to the spa. If the pump operates but fails to move any water out of the jets, it may not be properly primed. To prime the pump, remove the filter cartridge connected to the jet pump plumbing line. Place a garden hose into the opening and seal off using a large, clean rag. Turn the water on full for 30-45 seconds. Remove the hose and rag and reinstall the filter cartridge (NOTE: if the cartridge is closed on the top, make sure to submerge it in water and remove any air before reinstalling. An air pocket in the cartridge can cause the pump to lose prime all over again). You can also use a plunger filled with water to force air from lines if a hose is not handy.

If no sound is heard or if there is a low humming sound when the pump is turned on, turn off the power to the spa and contact Ashton Pools and Spas for service.

6. Water is too hot.
The first thing to do is to lower the thermostat setting to at least a few degrees below the current temperature of the water. If your tub has automated circulation cycles, another suggestion is to reduce their running time. Even when the heater is not in use, the water temperature can increase due to prolonged pump operation. Never enter a spa that is above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, as to do so can be injurious to your health. Refer to the Spa Safety section of this manual for more information on the dangers of entering spa water that is too hot.

7. Reduced heat or no heat.
Check the control panel settings. Make sure the thermostat is set to the desired temperature. Check to see if the spa is in the proper filtering mode—some manufacturers have an ‘economy’ mode which circulates water with the heater disabled. A hot tub that will not reach temperatures above ninety-eight degrees Fahrenheit will require a new thermostat. Always leave your cover in place while heating the spa.

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