Nothing Works!?!

Imagine, you just got home from a long days work, you’re tired, ready to relax and unwind in your own oasis…your hot tub.
As you go to remove the cover and you notice something’s missing, it's quiet..too quiet…what is it?
Then your heart hits the floor as you realize the truth….your spa is not on, at all, it hasn’t been for all day and is only barely lukewarm.

This scenario is sad, but only to true. Talk about disappointment!

Here’s some ways for you to quickly find and hopefully fix your hot tub and get things heating up quick!

STEP 1) Fuses and Proper Line Voltage
If your spa’s power is being supplied from an electrical box that houses the fuses (usually mounted on the house), then turn off the main breaker that supplies this and check them. If the fuses check ok, then with the power back on, check that you have the required line voltage in the spa control box at the terminal strip or lugs (either 110 vac or 220 vac). If doing these things left you with no results, then call a professional spa repairman or a licensed electrician.

STEP 2) Testing the GFCI
If you have the proper line voltage at the terminal strips or lugs, then you need to give the GFCI a test by pushing the button that says "test" or "T". When pushing the test button on the GFCI the button that says "re-set" or "R" should pop out. If it does not, this is a faulty GFCI and should be replaced. See "GFCI" in parts section.

Also, during this troubleshooting section you may have just stumbled across a faulty GFCI, but replacing it still has left you with "nothing working!?!”

Some other possibilities for “not working” are:
Fuses inside spa control box (Not all spas have them).
Burnt wires.
Some spas will not operate without the door’s shut; this is a safety switch called a "magnetic interlock".
Some manufacturers designed their spas to shut down when the Hi-limit switch trips.

HELP! My Hot Tub won't heat!!!

”My Hot Tub Will Not Heat!”

This is the number one complaint hot tub owners have, it accounts for almost every repair that is sent in to Spa Warehouse Online. Below you'll find a compilation of almost every possible reason for this occurrence.

STEP 1: Hi-Limit Switch Trips (Heater Reset Button)
Assuming that everything else is working properly (i.e., spa is set in the heater/filter cycle and water is flowing from the jets), the first thing you will look for is the hi-limit switch, also referred to as the heater reset button. Now finding it can sometimes be a problem, it’s as if it was purposely put it in a hard to find place, especially in some of the older spas.
(Please Call and we will help you find it over the phone)

What you are looking for is a red button; it is the only actual part of the hi-limit switch that is visible without going inside the control boxes. When you locate it, give it a push, if you feel or hear a click, or you see a heater indicator light come on that wasn't on before, then you have solved the problem.

IMPORTANT: Some spas have the thermostats located on top. These are called spa side controls, they have built in air buttons and orange indicator lights. One of the indicator lights says heater, this light comes on regardless if the spa is heating or not. Do not troubleshoot using this light, it could confuse you.

STEP 2: Why Does the Hi-Limit Switch Trip?
The #1 reason is filter related. It has become old, dirty or clogged, which has restricted the flow of the water. This fools the hi-limit switch sensor into thinking that the spa water is getting to hot. This is what a hi-limit switch does. It’s a safety switch that measures water temperature, tripping if it senses a higher than normal heat rise.

A good way to check if the filter is causing the hi-limit switch to trip, is to run the spa without the filter for a couple of days. If the hi-limit switch does not trip, then it is time to buy a new filter.
Another reason the hi-limit switch will trip is for the very reason they were designed; the spa water exceeded to an abnormal temperature.
The final thing it could be, without getting further complicated, is the hi-limit switch is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Other things to look for:
Are all the jets open to allow maximum flow? Are the shut off valves open all the way? Is there enough ventilation where the equipment is? (Can the equipment breathe?) Is there water coming out of the jets at all?

FINAL NOTE: Before you drain your spa, turn down the thermostat! By not doing this can cause the hi-limit switch to trip. If pushing or replacing the hi-limit switch has still left you without heat, then please call for further help.