Hello there, I have a 98 Hercules siesta spa 230/5.5kw/3hp 2 speed.

I have recently bought it used with the pressure switch bypassed and have been running it for 2 weeks.

I have had some issues since I have replaced with the pressure that my local pool and spa store sold me sold me.

First issue is that I received a FLO message a few days ago but just reset the breaker and had no problems.

Second we were just sitting in the spa one night and the breaker blew while we were using it with the pump on high and heating.

Electric is up to code with a 50 amp main ran 40' 2 a 60 amp spa disconnect box 5' within sight with "8awg 3-2 and the spa has a independent break away
box inside for repairs.

NOW THE PROBLEM:

Last night some family came over for the holiday dinner.

I had been running this spa at 100-102 degrees without any other problems except for what I explained above.

I went out turned the spa up full blast to 104 and we got in it at about 102, we all enjoyed the spa for some time when it was at about 104 a few of us got out because we didn't like it so hot.

One guest stayed in the spa for awhile longer with heater air jets and pump on full before I was notified that the spa was getting cold.

So I went outside to the FLO message so I tripped the breaker as I had done once before and the digital screen came up and said it was 93 degrees {wow was at 104 20 minutes ago} and the heater kicked on and it started to circulate NOW that is when I hit the jet button and the FLO message, I repeated this step.

I decided to just let it cycle and I would deal with it in the morning.

This morning heater light on topside showed heater was on and that the spa was at the same temperature as last night when I went to bed 96 degrees and last night it had gained about 3 degrees in a hr but nw nothing.

I hit the jet button and the FLO message again.

The spa seems to want to circulate and just hold its temperature.

I have pulled out the filter and still get FLO message and at this time it circulates showing that heater is on and will hold 95-96 degrees in 35-40 degree weather.

That is my story and now questions:

1= pressure switch bought look different and is not adjustable like old one, what are the downfalls to running this spa with the switch jumped and bypassing it?

2= Is this likely to be a heater element gone back?

I am going to go outside today and will be jumping the pressure switch, I also will be testing the heater element.


YOUR HELP WILL BE MUCH NEEDED HERE AS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE GOTTEN THIS INVOLVED WITH ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

FOLLOW UP

Right after I wrote this message I went outside and it had the FLO message. I jumped the pressure switch and the heater came on but the pump did not kick on so I disconnected the jump.

I touched the pump and it was very hot and so I decided to go inside and write down my findings.

Upon return pump was running{timer set turned it on } and spa had the FLO message once again but the pressure switch wasn't hooked up and the circuit was not jumped.

At 12:15 the spa was at 91 degrees and had run all night not going higher then 96 degrees, I decided to just shut it down since the motor was hot.


At 1:15 I turned the power back on and the temp came up at 89 degrees the heater and pump came on and I set it for 100 degrees.

At 2:15 the spa had reached 100 degrees and shut off.

2:20 the spa dropped 2 degrees and cycled.

2:30 I hooked the pressure switch, took the jumper wire off and turned the pump on and the air jets.

3:00 all is fine not a problem!!!!!!!!!
Observation is that motor would overheat and cycle off while leaving heater on causing the FLO message but would do so intermediately while there is no explanation as to why the heater would not heat the unit the night before.

3:20 NO problem even when I turn the pumps on so I will let the spa run with the jets on and the cover on to see what happens next.

One thing that I forgot to mention is that some of the exsterior wood was rotted when I got this spa and well I replaced all of the side wood and added sheets of insulation with a r-5 value to the sides and am thinking aybe ths is the only reason why motor would overheat?

If the spa runs for 30 min. with the jets going and the top on and I do not get a error message then I will not rply.

OK FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM FOR ANYONE WHO IS READING THIS.

It appears that I have over insulated the spa and when the pump is running on high speed for the first 1/2 hr it is heating the compartment up to 112 degrees.

When I try to run the pump for a second 1/2 hr cycle it doesn't come on till it cools down but in the meantime my heater comes on and since the pump isnt working there is a flo error.