I have a LX Series Vita Spa that is 5 years old. It just recently starting tripping the breaker when the jet is turned on that is connected to the filter and heater. The circuit breaker at the electrical box trips after running that jet for about 20 seconds but other jets, the bubbler, or the lights don't trip the breaker. I touched the motor for that jet but it doesn't feel hot and the fuse in the spa doesn't blow. There is a clicking sound coming from the control unit as the breaker trips.

Is the circuit breaker warm to the touch when it trips? And is it the kind of breaker that is of the GFCI variety? (Has a push button to test it).

Ok, I have isolated the problem (from what I learned from this website yesterday) to what I believe is the heater. I have a couple pictures of it. I have disconnected the two wires that connect the the (heater?) tube and the unit has stopped tripping the GFCI breaker. I assume that these wires are for the heating element and that the round component to the left of it is a solenoid valve??


I disconnected the red and black wires at the bottom right of this picture.


For this problem, will the heater always need to be replaced or are there some instances when it doesn't need to be replaced?

Unfortunately, the spa is 5 years and 2 weeks old and I think the warranty is for 5 years. Boy, those actuaries really do their job right when they calculate how long to have the warranty.

Also shown is a picture of the tube with model number. Do you carry this brand?


P.S. EXCELLANT work on the great advice here!! It really blew me away to have such detailed and competant advice!

Don't replace the entire heater! You can replace the element (only) on this thing. It's a minor chore, but once you've done it, the next time you can almost do it in your sleep.

Here: http://spasupport.com/eheater/fthtindex.html

Both of those are really TOUGH cases for replacing a heater element, but they're the worst case. Yours should be a lot easier.

BTW, that 'solenoid' thing is actually a pressure switch. It protects your heater from damage by preventing it from turning on without water pressure.

Thank you Pageup, my spa is back up and working. You have the most amazing information and customer service of any place that I have seen!

I will recommend you to everyone that I know!