Hello Everyone,

Many years ago (like 6), my wife and I inherited an in-ground hot tub. We were building a deck at the time and turned it into an above-ground hot tub. The plumbing, parts and electrical are a mix of parts from all different eras, though most of it was bought brand new for this installation, or over the years as repairs.

About 4 years ago, we upgraded our electrical in the house and replaced the electrical components in the tub as well. A few months ago, the tub stopped heating up. Turning up the temp on the tub thermostat (part of the heater unit) does not help.

There is a Reset button on the heater unit that has worked before, but it no longer depresses. Also, when I used to adjust the temperature, a little red light would come on. Now, no amount of dial-turning on the thermostat will make the light come on.

I used a simple voltmeter at the electrical junction box in the hot tub and power is coming into and out of the junction box. From the junction box, it goes directly into the heater unit itself. This unit acts as if it has no power (no indicator light).

The unit is An Aquatemp Products Corporation Heater Assemble Standard, 16-00110, 6.0 Kw/240V, NRCANL, E1566326.

Right now, I'm thinking that I can either try to troubleshoot the heater at the component level or swap it out. If I swap it out, I found this to replace it:
http://www.lowpricedpoolsupply.com/spa- ... -0019.html
...but I'd be happy to entertain other options.

As for troubleshooting at a component level, that's why I'm posting here. I see a lot of stuff online about swapping out "the element". I assume this means the heating element in my heater? Could that be the problem? Is it easy to replace?

Any advice, experiences or tips are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

-Tom

It's a simple unit to troubleshoot.

If you don't see any burnt/broken wires, you can OHM out the pressure switch, T-stat, and high limit, or voltage test them. If you're unfamiliar with testing of 220v circuits, however, it's easy to get fooled, so I'd suggest an OHM test (With no power, of course)

If it's getting the proper voltage to the heater coil, but the coil isn't closing, replace the relay.

DON'T BUY A NEW ELEMENT.

The one you have likely isn't getting power, and if you buy a new, it won't either.

Don't worry about the reset button not moving- that means it hasn't tripped. It will only trip automatucally, and once reset, doesn't move.

So, I opened the unit up and I found burnt wire. It's the wire that goes from the junction box into the heater.

So I'm going to swap that out now (I have plenty of slack wire).

I'll let you know what happens and thank you very much for replying!

-Tom