Have been reading this forum for awhile, but this is my 1st post!! Purchased a Gladiator spa in 1996 with a Spa Builders AP-4 TC, 3-70-0061. Have replaced the heating element several times. The time clock broke a couple years ago and have been using the thermostat control. When I emptied the spa for the summer, it took a long time to heat and the heater would go out when the jets were turned on. My question is: should I replace the time clock, heater and/or thermostat or put that money toward a new control pack? Since my top side control works and ozonator wasn't included on my spa, is there a replacement control pack without those items that would just plug in?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

you didn't mention wether your spa is 120 or 240V, wether or not it has a cover, etc... all will dictate how long it takes to heat. Most spas don't heat when jets are on. It is a power issue. Takes a huge amount of amperage to run everything at once. Timer is more of a money-saver in terms of efficiency than anything. If it were me, I'd leave it as is.

240V with insulated cover. Outside temperature usually 100+. The heating timeframe has definitely increased. Do you suppose this would be the element or thermostat?

Could be a power issue (check voltage across the element terminals for power), or maybe a bad thermostat. If the spa is always calling for heat then it's probably not the thermostat. Timeframes for heating should be in the 12-16 degree an hour rise with cover on using 240V in a properly working spa.

http://spapartsnet.com/Spa-Packs-Contro... 3_2_3.html Since this is an older unit, a replacement ap4 could just save you a bit of a headache. The above link is our company's version of the Spa Builders AP4. Good price too. " title="Rolling Eyes" /> http://spapartsnet.com/Spa-Packs-Contro... 3_2_1.html