I bought a Prodigy H and the prior owner must've rigged it 115 VAC because it only has 3 wires out (2 hot, 1 ground) and I checked the jumper config on the control panel where it appears he set it up that way. His was indoors, so he likely didn't mind the lower current - heater v. pump limitations.

1) Am I better off outdoors converting to 230VAC ?


Problem is...I invested the $200 to buy the 30/20 amp GFCI breakers and the big Load box. I've already run his pre-existing 3 wire cable from the unit underground to my load disconnect box and came to realize if I follow the directions on the inside of the Hot Springs panel....I'm supposed to separate out 5 wires ( 3 hot, 1 neutral, 1 ground) .

Right now...the 3 wires out use power jumpers as in the 115 config. I hooked them up as 1 hot (pump line to 20 Amp), 1 hot (heater/other line to 30 Amp), and ground. I'm guessing this won't work ? I need to fish another 2 lines through the conduit and take the power jumpers config for 115 VAC off ? Add a second hot line to the 30A and a neutral to the 20A ? Right now these are just jumped together and there is no neutral. Not sure why can't just stay this way or do the hot lines and neutral really need to be separated out when going up to 230 VAC?

Also...just checking to be sure...the Pump goes to the 20 AMP and the Heater/Other goes to the 30 AMP and not vice versa ?

It's a little more involved. That spa came configured 110V.
You can't use the existing wire if that wire is from the original cord (14 gauge). You need the following wire:

2 #10 hot wires for the 30 amp breaker
1 #10 ground
1 #12 hot for the 20 amp breaker
1 #12 neutral for the 20 amp breaker - the neutral from the spa must go straight into the breaker it CAN NOT go to the neutral bar first.

You must also move the power terminal jumpers - pull out both, the 3 prong stays off and the 2 prong is inserted where the 3 prong was.
You must also change the circuit board pin jumpers - YOU WILL FIND ALL THIS ON THE CONTROL BOX COVER.

I have had my '91 HotSpring Classic (325 gallons) hooked up 110 Volts here in Florida and also in Virginia with no problems.

Advantages to 220V are: faster heat time at refill and it will heat while the jets are running.
Your heat loss (depending on the temp) should be minimal for normal usage. I might have lost 3 degrees in an hour if it was 20 degrees outside. Most usage is 30 min. max.

Your energy bill won't show much difference between the two - the jet pump will still be running 110 volt and pulling the same amps. HotSpring Spas are very energy efficient.

Pete
use this advise at your own risk

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