I recently bought a used spa (specs posted below). Upon first hook up everything worked great. The pumps functioned, the temp held at 103 (f), lights worked and so all was well. After a week i noticed three small lights blinking and read in the manual that there were three possible causes/solutions to this:

1. Problem: Spa does not heat; jets and lights operate (Display Reads ***)
-Problem Cause: Pressure Switch Tripped
-Solution: Check for clogged filter. The pressure switch will reset when the flow of water through the heater has been restored. Call for service if the pressure switch trips often.

2. Problem: Display Reads "***"
-Problem Cause: Pressure Switch senses flow through the heater even though the jet pump is off.
-Solution: Contact an Authorized Service Tech.

3. Problem: Display reads "***" (Entire Spa Inoperative)
-Problem Cause: Heater High Limit thermostat tripped
-Solution: Disconnect power to the spa for at least thirty seconds to reset the heater high-limit. If tripping continues, clean the filter, then if tripping still occurs, call for service

So, the jets and lights work fine. The tub heated to 104 (f) but when the three lights started blinking the temp started dropping and could not hold at the DESIRED temperature (102, 103). The temp can be set to 103 but will not heat past the sitting temperature. I noticed it started to drop to 99 (f) and then three days later it went to 85 (f). The jets are running and you can cycle through all the functions of the jets but the three lights keep blinking and temp gradually keeps dropping.

I replaced the filter with a brand new one (the old one could have used it anyway). Problem still persisted after i reset the hot tub. Although, it worked until i hit the jets button all the way through the cycles. My jets have 5 functions:

1st press: Two Speed jet pump runs on low speed.
2nd press: Two speed jet pump runs on high speed.
3rd press: One-and Two Speed jet pumps run on high.
4th press: One-Speed jet pump runs on high Speed
5th press: Both Jet pumps are off.

So, i also located the pressure switch and disconnected the two wires to it, to see if i could rid/trick the three lights. Reset the tubs power and back the three (***) blinking lights came.

And now i am lost. Any insight would be greatly appreciated and i love to troubleshoot so please start pointing me to the right areas to begin the process and ill be happy to keep posting back. I can also take some pics if needed so please do not hesitate to ask. Thanks.

The Ozone by Balboa doe snot work. At least i am sure it does not work as it does light up the canister but there are no bubbles coming up in the water. I read that you know it is working when the bubbles are coming up in the tub water when the jets are off. Maybe this is the issue?


Thanks for checking out this post and cheers for any opinions, thoughts, and theories.

-Mardimus



Specs:

Power:
Spa connected to a Connecticut Electric Spa Box
230V going to tub

Caldera Olympia Spa
Watkins Shell 9/3/02
#OLH3d1115
Hig/Oly 39063-3 W-Sand

Pumps (2X):
Caldera Spas
Relia-Flo XP2
pn: 39579
Model: 06110731-1

Board:
Spa Builders
Model: SC-CF-P121-P211-01-NE-LS-WK2
10696-01C
ID: 3-72-7023

Ozone by Balboa
Ozone Generator
OZBA240
52468-01200503110063
E200943
Balboa Instruments Inc.

It sounds like a flow problem. Can you tell if your circulation pump is running? The 3 dots flashing can be either the pressure switch or the high limit thermister. Since you don't have bubbles I suspect it could be the circulation pump not pushing water. You should feel flow where you would normally see the bubbles coming out.
The ozonator can still be on even without the bubbles. It is the mazei injector that creates the bubbles. There is also a small check valve in the ozone tubing that can fail or get clogged - this can stop the bubbles.
Check for circulation pump flow first.

use this advice at your own risk

Pete

http://www.makesmeshutter.com
http://www.floridahotspring.com

If the circulation pump was not working, would the automatic jet come on to heat the water? Because what i have done is let the tub sit for a day with no power. Turned the power on, i received no three "***" blinking lights and the tub heats to 102 (f). The auto jet came on to heat the tub and turns itself off/on. Three hours later i played with the jets button and cycled all the way through and the three "***" lights started blinking at me and then the problem persisted. I may not know which pump or where the circulation pump is located so i posted a few pics.













Thanks again for all the insight. I hope the pics help a bit and i am happy to troubleshoot as much as possible so please let me know.

Cheers,
-Marty

Hi Marty.

Sorry - that spa doesn't have a separate circulation pump. One of your jet pumps kicks on in low speed when the spa needs heat.
The problem should be either the pressure switch (hopefully) or a bad high limit. The high limit is in your 9th picture - the yellow sticker on the right is on the high limit. It is not replaceable - the whole control box must be replaced.
I would jump the pressure switch and see what happens. Run it like you did and see if you get the same problem.

use this advice at your own risk

Pete

http://www.makesmeshutter.com
http://www.floridahotspring.com

I have found two parts to replace what i have narrowed down as the source.

-High Limit switch:
HI LIMIT TAPE S-CLASS PORON
9920-100150 9920100150 9920-100317 9920100317
http://www.spapartsdepot.com/product/5- ... PORON.html

-Pressure Switch:
Tecmark Pressure Switch 1/8" 1Amp 1.5 PSI
http://www.spapartsdepot.com/product/5-20-7001


I order the two parts and hope that one of them will fix the problem. I will post back asap with the results.

Thanks to all that have read and given thoughts. Cheers.

Why would i have to replace the whole control box?

It seems that I should be able to replace the high limit switch with the one that i ordered (follow the link on the post above for a pic and details).

Any thoughts?

My supplier doesn't part out that high limit - Good to know I can get one somewhere - good luck and let us know how it goes.

Pete