Hi:

I have a 1994 Tiger Springs Manora Model M ( serial #240050).

it's 115Volt, 20 amp ( on a dedicated 20amp grounded solo outlet )

I just purchased this spa ( 3rd owner ) and am having the following issue.

I filled the tub to the fill line ( 4-6 inches from the top, per the manual )

plugged in, tested the GFCI, per the manual and it works.

I turned the heater dial to 5, then pushed the button for "jets"... left it on for a few hours to run it.. the tub heated the water from a starting point of 70degrees F to a finishing point of 76F ( in about 3 hours ).. I turned the jets off and went to bed, assuming the water would still heat.

In the morning, the tub was cold again, and the heater not working.. It looked like the GFCI had tripped, so i reset and restarted the jets...

did this several times.. then realized that if I reset the GFCI and did not turn the jets on... it would trip after about 15-20 seconds.

It doesn't trip when the jets ( or light ) are running.. but as soon as I turn the jets off, the GFCI will trip and the heat will turn off.

I have the records that show the GFCI was replaced about 4 years ago.. just wondering if any of you pros have experienced this and have advice before I call for service.

Thank you,

Todd

Unplug the heater from the control box and try the test again.

If it works, then you may have a faulty heater element causing the gfci to trip.

Then again, your gfci could be defective too.

I prefer to replace those cord based GFCI's with a standard 20 amp 115 volt plug, and install a 20 amp GFCI in the wall socket, or change the breaker in the house to a 20 amp GFCI.

Pageup- Thanks for the quick response.

I don't think I was clear enough. My cord is a 20am/115 v rated single plug ( no gfci inline ). I have a single outlet that the cord plugs into, and there is a 20amp GFCI circuit breaker in the panel.

I didn't see an electrical plug for the heater in the control panel.. I did see that the light plugs into the GFCI in the control panel, but that was the only one I saw. ... am I missing it?

thanks again for your help. It's very much appreciated.

todd

Sorry, wrong make and year.

What I'd do is remove both wires that go to the heater element (tape up / be sure they don't touch anything) and see if that stops the tripping.

http://spapartsnet.com/Electric-Heaters ... 6_0_1.html

so if I remove the wires and breaker doesn't trip, I can assume the heater element needs to be replaced with the one you listed above?

thanks again,

Todd

Yes.

thanks for your help.

I'll be trying that this evening.

I'm really stumped though wtih this one.

This is supposed to be an either/or type of setup. either the jet pump or the heater should be on at one time, not both, since this is a 20 amp setup and the heater draws 12 amps alone( i think ).

seems to me that since the water is heating fine when the jets are running, but it shuts off when they're not, then maybe whoever wired it up, crossed some wires or something.

thoughts?

Thanks,

Well you got your logic incorrect here...


That's the thing, its NOT heating when the jets are on.

It turns the heater on when you turn the jets off, which trips the gfci.

so if it's not heating when the jets are on.. how is the water getting hotter? ( about 2 degrees per hour when the jets are running.

see how this doesn't make sense?

When the jets are off.. the heater shuts off after about 20 seconds.

Your pump is passively heating the water.

(Put your hand on it after it's been running for a while).