I have a 1995 Hot Springs Highlife that trips an internal switch as soon as I flip the breakers, the heater red light stays on for about 3 seconds and goes out with a slight clicking noise. Breakers do not pop. I've gone to my local Hot Springs dealer and he sent me on my way with a new heater and small circulation pump but I have not opened and thought I should do some research prior to opening and being unable to return ($500). I've also called a service tech with whom I originally purchased the tub from and he said it sounds to be a thermistor.

A)Is there any way of checking this myself and where is the thermistor on this model?
B)Is there a way to test my small circulation pump to see if it could be the culprit originally?
C)Could it be an old cirulation pump and have a flow problem and caused the thermistor to fry?
D)Is the thermistor inexpensive?
E)I believe my heater to be OK, it is a tribend that looks like a trumpet (says "No Fault" on it), is there a way to confirm it's status with say an ohmeter?

The tech rep said it could be cheap it could be expensive? I've read a few postings and it sounds like it could be a possibility of a flow switch assembly also.

Another rookie looking for some expertise... any help is appreciated.

Paul

Flustered

Grab an OHM meter, and meter out the thermistors (set to 20k). Unless the heater is very HOT, the red light should not be flashing.

Even when the red led light is flashing, the circ pump should be running. It should be getting voltage, and running.


The heater might be bad, but it would purely be coincidence.
A flashing red light in no way represents a bad heater. In fact, it would suggest the heater is doing exactly what it is designed to do- GET HOT.


The circ pump might be bad, but it would also be purly coincidence.

With the red led going after only a couple of seconds, even with a bad circ pump, it should take at least 30 seconds or so for the heater to overheat.

I'd say the tech that said "sounds like a bad thermistor" gave you good advice. Check that first. The red LED will start flashing with the thermistor registering less than 4.0 (set 20k, or auto-range)

When I flip the breakers the red light on the tub goes out completely within about 3 seconds?

Any idea on this model where the thermistor would be located?

Wait...a...minute

You say the power light just goes out? As in, not flashing at all?

Call for service- also, are you *sure* the 20 amp breaker isn't going to the "tripped" position when the light goes out? (The tripped position is not the off position)

Yep... just goes out completly and neither breaker trips??? I have a call into the service tech... Kirby's spas and pools. I'll let you know the damage done. Thanks for your assistance.