Hi All,
First time poster, would appreciate your help. I've done some searching, but I still need some help.

My Coleman Carribean 4550 made in 2000 (by Maax Spas, Arizona) is tripping my 50amp circuit instantly. We just had the tub moved to our residence and the electrical was done by a licensed pro. We filled the tub with water and turned it on. It heated overnight, but at some point tripped the breaker. I turned it back on in the morning and everything was fine. The tub reached 101 degrees, and then threw the breaker. I set the tub to 101 temp.

I tried resetting the breaker, but now it trips instantly every single time. There is a corresponding "click" coming from the Hi-Limit contact on the circuit board as well (see pic 1a.jpg).


I tried resetting the hi-limit switch (pic 2a.jpg red button) but stills trips instantly. BTW, the red button doesn't seem to do anything.


I also tried disconnecting the heater element (by removing copper bands in pic 3a.jpg), but still have the same problem.


You're help is greatly appreciated. More hot tub info is below...
Coleman 4550 made in 2000 by Maax Spas Arizona
Dual pump both two speed
230V electrical (pumps are 230v also)
Don't know type of control panel, see pic 4a.jpg
Topside control is a push button type with digital display
Temperature control is integrated in display
Heater looks like like 2" flow through, but is made of plastic?

The pic you labeled as a high limit is actually your pressure switch. Its sole function in life is to make sure there is water flow before your spa turns on the heater. That red "button" is the plunger it uses to engage the switch. That is most likely fine.

The high limit breaker alone won't cause a GFI breaker to trip. That is just a failsafe, and if it was to short out, it would just no longer be a failsafe.

I would wager on it still being the heater element (most common problem) or the motor itself. Try disconnecting the motor and see what happens.

Can I disconnect the motor by just unplugging it from the control panel?

How can I test the heater element to see if it's faulty? I removed those copper bands thinking this would disconnect the heater element but the results were the same (instant tripping).

Thanks!

Did you plug the temp sensor harness back in?

Do you have an ozonator? Try unplugging it too. Also air blower if equiupped.

Is the electrical run compromised in any way?

everything is plugged back in as of now. I do have an ozonator.

I will try unplugging each thing and see what happens.

thanks, I'll post back with the results.

Hi Guys,
I unplugged everything from the control panel one at a time and when I got to the blower - the circuit breaker stayed on!

So, being the cheap a** I am, how can I be sure my blower is bad? Is there some fuse or reset switch for them? Do blowers go from 60 to 0 just like that? It is 6 years old, but has only been used intermittantly for 3.

Thanks again!

Hi again everyone - looking for help with the same tub again!

I went out to enjoy a nice tub session tonight and the water was lukewarm. Went to the spa disconnect and the double breaker had been thrown. I tried resetting but the breaker threw itself immediately.

I pulled the side of the tub off and all fuses are fine, intact; no fried wires.

I tried disconnecting all components: blower, pumps, heater wires and its still tripping immediately.

The tub does not even power on.

Any more suggestions? This tub has worked flawlessly since my last post above.

Thanks in advance!

Argh! Nevermind - just unplugged the Ozonator all the way and tada! we have hot tub - well its still lukewarm, but will be hot again soon enough.

Thanks again and remember if your tub trips instantly, unplug EVERYTHING, one step at time!

Cheers!