How does the ACC ePACK compare to the Balboa VS 501 in terms of quality and longevity?

And I'd also like to be able to adjust temperature to 105

answered your question in previous thread. Yes the epack can be adjusted to do this. Not with the other.

Thanks again, Pageup. I'll be ordering today. It appears the default optional ozonator for the ACC ePack is the $99 Balboa. This spa has no ozone generator, and I'm figuring maybe it should. Do you recommend this one?

If your spa isn't plumbed for one, it's gonna be a pain. Be sure you've got a capped off line somewhere that is for ozone... as most are.

I've got what appears to be about a 3/8" i.d. clear line that's capped on the end. The Balboa Icon 10 controller has a an ozonator receptacle on it.

My old spa had a circulation pump on it so I'm familiar with that operation. This one does not, just the two speed jet pump. Found the following by "Swine" from May, 2007:

I've been trying to study relevant posts to avoid bugging you guys with repetitive dumb questions that have been asked many times before. But I'm a little confused here, is an ozonator a waste of money if used with a two speed jet pump?
Craig

Oh heck no.
If you're plumbed for one then by all means install one!

Ozone is by far the best thing you could do for your spa, next to getting it fixed. All spa controllers we have are ozone plug-in ready.

Pageup,

Okay, I figure we're good to go on the order here. The Balboa ozonator can be found at some lower prices, but you've been very helpful, and I know you'll be available after the new ACC ePACK arrives, so I'd rather do business with your company. Thanks again, Pageup, thank you very much.

Craig

I'm also comparing controllers. Hydro Spa went out of business and the company that took it over sent me a replacement controller that does not have the same electrical hook ups. Its a Balboa VS510SZ. My original looks just like the EZ Pak with all the lighted up plugs on the side of the box. Which is the better controller? I really don't want to have to re-do all the cords if I am not getting a more reliable controller. Any advice? Mike

Mike your original is not a good system.

Throw it in the trash, change out the cords and be done with it.

Pageup- I am taking your advice and switching over to the Balboa controller. I am ready to wire it up but I'm not having any luck finding the cables to do so. Who do you recomend that would know exactly what I need and be able to get it?

Well after not much luck getting the proper cables to convert the balboa controller to the Hydro Spa, and finding out that the top side would also have to also be replaced, I called Balboa directly and was able to get info on that particular controller. It turns out that I would also have to give up one speed on the 2 speed pump in order to connect the circulation pump.

So I decided to have the original controller checked out to find out just what was wrong in the first place and why Hydro Spa said it had to be replaced. Everything works fine with the controller except that there was not enough pressure to activate the pressure switch.

Once I get the controller back, how can I test the circ. pump to see if it is pumping hard enough to trigger the switch? (The switch is callibrated perfectly.) Could an air bubble cause this problem? If it is the pump, what usually goes, the seals? impeller? motor?