Hi all, first post here.

I have a Vitaspa L100 which is about six years old. It has run well, until the last few days. I hadn't checked on it in over a week, and when I went to add some chlorine, I found that the water was cold. I suspected a tripped breaker (as that has randomly happened before), and was correct.

I tried to reset the breaker, and each time I tried, it would immediately trip.

I have a 230v setup. The breaker is coming from a 50amp subpanel which also has the breakers for the pool pump and the pool heater. Those work fine.

I've visually inspected the breaker box, it looks fine.

I've visually inspected the spa access panel, and I've had mice in there, but see no evidence of insulation being eaten, other than on the small, low voltage wire leading to the electronic control/lcd readout on the top of the tub.

I also noted no sign of insulation being chewed up within the control panel housing.

I do my own wiring (did my house, pool and hot tub), so am not afraid to get into this. What I don't know is how to troubleshoot to find out where the problem originates.

I suspect a storm and lightening is a possibility. It's too early in the season for the mice to have moved in and caused new damage.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Boris

With power turned off:

What I do is disconnect BOTH wires going to the heater element. Try powering up again. If it works, then you've got a defective heater element.

If not, then unplug everything from the control box and try again... power down and reconnect one by one, each device - and power up, until the affecting device trips the GFCI.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

After I find the culprit, I assume I can order a replacement part from you?

Regards,

Boris

Not too difficult.

Heater was fine, pump #1 is fine, pump #2(booster) is the culprit.

I'm ordering one now.

From what I see, I close both valves on either side of the pump, disconnect the PVC connections, loosen the nuts holding the pump to the floor, and out it comes.

I then replace the wiring harness onto the new motor, attach the pump, and put the assembly back in to the hot tub.

Sound right?

thanks,

Boris