hi all,

I noticed that the hot tub was off the other day when checking it. No power at all, and the GFCI was also not 'humming', ie no power. I went inside to check the breaker and it wasnt tripped. Went back out to the GFCI and pressed the red RESET button, the power came back on... hot tub fired up and went through its priming. The LCD on the tub said "Pr", after about 5 mins it went "--F" like it was about to either display or turn the heat on, and i heard the GFCI trip and hot tub turned off. I reset the GFCI again and the same thing happened.

I have no idea where to start. Any ideas?

Thanks all!

I'd consider replacing the heater element. That's more than likely what's tripping your GFCI. http://spapartsnet.com/Electric-Heaters... 6_0_1.html

Thanks for suggestion. Heating element bad already? only been about a year.. geez. Is there any way I can test it to make sure that is the problem? uncle (lives next door) is an electrician, so I'm sure he'll know what youre talking about " title="Smile" /> Thanks for response.. appreciate it

Disconnect BOTH leads (copper strips most likely) to your heater element.

Repeat the process. If the gfci doesn't trip then you've found the problem.

Heater elements are dorks about everything. move them, bump them, drain and refill... look at them cross-eyed... they can go to crap for no appparent reason.

According to this manual on page 5 (page 5 of manual, not actual PDF page): http://www.platinumhottubs.com/manuals/... Manual.pdf The heater element is INSIDE the heater tube. Assuming I have to drain the tub to get at it then?

The element is inside. The terminals that connect to it are outside. Look at this page: http://spasupport.com/eheater/bbfthtrelerep1.html (Third row of photos) Your circuit board is different design but they all connect the same. Two large wires, or two copper straps from the board to the element.

Hi, well i just took the hot tub apart and I saw the two copper straps you were talking about. I disconnected them from the heating tube (but left them attached to the circuit board which I doubt matters). The spa still turned off after the "--F" display. " title="Crying or Very sad" /> as it was in PR (priming), I turned all the jets on (first jet to speed 1 and 2, and second set on), also turned the Blowers on (bubbles). Those all worked fine. Not sure what is tripping it now. Any clue? doesnt seem like its the heating element after all

So, you're saying that your particular gfci has a 'reset' button on it? I presume then this is a separate mounted enclosure with a test/reset type of gfci mounted?

and... you did disconnect BOTH leads to the heater, not just one correct?

If your spa is the same as the one in the owners manual, try disconnecting the circulation pump, AND the audio power line that goes to the controller if yours has it.

Repeat test.

evening..

Yes, the GFCI has a red reset button on it and a test button. it also has a big fuse type thingy you can pull out (which i did when working on it) and also a flip switch for a 15amp, but i dont think that does anything (i've tried both on and off)

Yes, i disconnected BOTh leads to the heater.
Yes it is tripping again, seems to be at the same exact spot as before.

Question. while disconnecting the circulation pump (is this easy?) and the audio (easy as well?), should I also have the heating element disconnected?

Thanks for ur help

yes leave the element disconnected.

If that's a VS series controller (grey plastic box), then your circ pump is going to unplug from the circuit board. (Look at the manual you quoted earlier).

My bet is that you've got a faulty circ pump.

Good news to report (i think).

I started by unplugging the Circ Pump, fired tub up, still tripped.
Then I removed the CD Player power, fired tub up, still tripped.
Then I removed the Ozonator, fired tub up, it worked!

Let it run for a little while.. still worked, so I pulled power from tub again..

Hooked the Circ Pump, CD Player, and copper Heating Element straps back up... tub is up and running and currently heating.

Which leads to next question, apparently this Ozonator thing is supposed to make it so you dont have to use a lot of chemicals.. ?

How crucial is this piece and should I just purchase a new one?

Thanks for your help!

Awesome results. I always forget the o3 generator (I'm too used to working on old crap without ozonators). Get a cheap one to replace it... be sure to replace the one way check valve in the air line that attaches to it (should come with a new ozonator). This should do it fine... http://spapartsnet.com/Ozone-Generators... 3_1_1.html btw, it's not crucial to operation, but it is to sanitization - and reduction in chemical usage. Congrats on the find.

Interesting - that was post 900 since I started this site in 04... Could've been a lot more than that if I had the time to keep track of everything around here. just too busy at work.

Congrats on breaking 900 posts! Cool site.

Is it common for the Ozonator problems to trip the GFCI like it has been doing?

dammit swine (or charger or somebody),
you gotta watch my back ya know...

Chime in if I forget to check the ozonator again. Damn.

Absolutely...

The breakdown is really like.. ummm...

I'm guessing here:

85% heater element -
14 % ozonator -
1 % circ pump.

I mistakenly skipped a biggie - the ozonator.

Only reason why - is because the failure of the check valve in the air line. It's not that the ozonator failed on it's own, it's because it got water in it (99% vs 1% fail and trip gfci's without water - ugh who knows).

Check your chemical useage to be sure you're not over doing it.

Other experienced techs here could validate my estimates or state their own stats. It's a guessing game on statistics unless someone's actually keeping track with pen and paper.