I inherited a 1996 Hot Springs Jetsetter from my in-laws about 3 years ago. When I got it, the circulation pump was dead, so I replaced it and it seemed to work fine. About 2 years ago it started tripping (blinking read light, heater stopped heating but circulation pump continued to work), but not too often. Turn it off for a while and it'd be good for another few weeks. Now it's gotten to the point it won't run for more than about an hour before tripping, sometimes it trips within minutes of resetting it.

Working my way through the system trying to figure out what's going on, I pulled out the heating element, it looks brand new. So next I pulled out the circulation pump. No problem there, impeller is working fine. What I do notice though is that, in the past, I had a constant stream of bubbles coming up from the floor drain where the heater/circulation returned, but now, no bubbles. I have flow, if I put my hand over it, I feel water coming up, and if I pull the filter and standpipe for the inlet, there's a lot of suction, but no bubbles (not sure if that really matters). Also, while trying to figure out what it is, I unplugged the heater. The unit ran over night without tripping (first time in a while it did that), which has me leaning towards heater, but I don't want to spend the $250 unless I'm sure that's it.

So does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Doc

It just tripped again, so I decided to feel the circulation pump. It's pretty hot to the touch. Not scalding, but you certainly wouldn't want to put it in your lap. Not sure if this info's any help.

Doc

First remove the filters. Clogged filters can slow the flow and make the circ pump run harder.
If you have good flow from the circ pump and the red light starts flashing again then replace the high limit thermister - part #38416. It's about $20 and very easy to replace.

Good Luck

Thanks Pete. I have been running w/o the filters for the last day or so just to see if that may be part of it. Guess I'll try the thermister next.

Any ideas why I no longer have bubbles coming from the return?

Thanks!
Doc

You have ozone on that spa?

If you do have circ pump flow but no bubbles pull off the ozone check valve and see if you get the bubbles.

To be honest, I'm not sure. Looking in the access panel the only thing I see inline with the plumbing is the heater, and the flow switch, so I'm assuming no...

The ozone injector would be inline with the outlet hose coming out of the heater. It is black, about 5 inches long and has a 1/4" tube coming out the top.

No ozone injector. I replaced the hi-limit thermistor today, so far no trip. We'll see what tomorrow holds. Is there any adjustment that needs to be done when installing this? Of course, all I got was the unit, no instructions, so hopefully not...

Thanks,
Doc

No adjustments to do - just reset the power which I'm sure you did.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks Pete, didn't realize you were monitoring both forums. So far so good " title="Wink" />