Increasing Max Temperature Above 104 Degrees New To Forum This might be a stupid question, but I am in the market for a new spa and I have found that new tubs have a max temp of 104 degrees F. This temp is nice, but I am buying for therapy purposes and I would like to raise the max temp to at least 110 degrees F. Is this possible to do using after market equipment or making a change in the electronics/heating elements of the spa? Thnx in advance for any helpful comments. JamDon " title="Cool" />

on some it can be done - which is nothing more than either 1. Using the features of some controllers which will allow for minute calibration adjustments from the topside, or 2. Inserting a say... 470-2.2k ohm resistor (system dependent) in series with the temp probe. But this isn't always possible as some controls use active (temp sensitive semiconductor devices) sensors instead of passive ones. That said, this is never recommended. Additionally, your quest for a 110 degree hot water for any extended period of time (more than a few minutes) is a bit dangerous, so whatever you do to your tub, you'll pretty much be on your own as nobody I know of will 'rig' one to work at that temp constantly.

Read the entire article here: http://www.rhtubs.com/104f.htm Last thing, enabling a tub to work outside of it's 'manufactured' temperature range will certainly void all warranties. Good luck.

Thnx for the advice. I had not read some of the warnings re: 104+ temps. Have a great one. ops:" title="Embarassed" /> JamDon

NBD.
Most folks don't really realize how hot they get even at 104 degree temps. IMO, 104 is hot as hell, and anything beyond that really needs to have someone that has REPEATED experience in such an environment, and knows their personal limitations.

In the last 12 years, I've only had one customer that ever requested a temp that high, and he absolutely knew what he was doing - (albiet I have no idea if he's still alive today though! lol) - he used it for 5-8 minutes (as long as he could stand it), and then got out. His wife was Japanese... so this goes along the lines of a japanese soaking tub thing - like really hot - for a short time only, not the standard usa spa/hot tub experience that most assume.

For the money though, it'd be cheaper to build your own Japanese soaking tub for temporary short time use than to spend 6-8k on an existing spa and modifying it for such temperatures.

It looks like it's either - a temperature thing, or a massage therapy thing - or both. But when you take the temperature to the extremes, the massage therapy issue kinda goes away because of the time constraints.

Just my 2 cents.
Best of luck with your decisions.
(Btw, if you haven't done it yet, you really should find a tub somewhere and test it at 104.... before thinking you need 110).

My question or need is slightly different. As is, the controls won't allow for a setting over 104. I understand that. I have on occasion seen it register 105 (on the panel)and then the water temperature feels pretty good. Normally, the water is only getting up to 102, at the most. My SO wants the water to really be 104.
Can I use the dip switches and control panel to calibrate it, raise the shutoff limit or should/could I use a variable resistor in the line? Is there something else I could check or do? I haven't tracked down its exact location yet but is this probe movable (could I slide it out some and reduce its exposure) or is the resistor the only thing I can do to make it sense a lower temp, to match what the water really is?

Mine is a Balboa TS8000 Mach2 system; two years old.

With all due respect to those who are concerned about soaking temps of 110 degrees, while that IS a very hot level, and certainly should not be combined with alcohol, many cultures have used such temperatures since ancient times for therapeutic and spiritual purposes. I know of a tub setting in Berkeley, where the temp is maintained at exactly 110 degrees--nobody has ever gotten harmed by being in that water, but then you gain entry by agreeing to certain very conscious use policies by the owner. The temp is set that high because it is designed as a meditation space, and the high temp helps with that while discouraging partying.

Of course, you must remain conscious of your own body's needs when dealing with temps like that and not stay in longer than you can handle. But we don't all have to live within the government recommended "standards for stupidity" that seem to aim us all at lowest common denominator ability to judge our own well-being, as long as we are also willing to accept some responsibility.

I also find the 104 temp limit to be not hot enough for my own personal "thermostat". I prefer REALLY hot water that I can get in for about 10 minutes, and get out steaming and comfortable even in cold weather for a bit, then get back in. 104 is just hot enough that you can't just comfortably soak forever, but not enough to keep me from getting chilled as soon as I get out--even just to dry off and put the cover back on the tub.
If anyone has suggestions that will work specifically for a Softub brand hot tub, I would very much appreciate some help.