I have a Hot Springs Sovereign spa--the heater stopped working the other night.

The board has a red light indicating that the heater is on, the red Reset button doesn't reset when you push it, the breakers work correctly, and I have turned off the power several times to reset the high limit cutoff.

The spa is wired for 230V, and the small circulator pump and water pumps all work. The red light on the display is not flashing, it is a solid red. (I am trying to give as much info as possible to diagnose the problem!)

I cannot get to the elements on the heater to check the resistance and the heater doesn't plug into the board--it is hard wired from the junction box inside the unit. I will measure the ohms across the red and black power wires and report back on the results...but that will check the resistance across the reset switch and the limit switches, I think...

If you're able, measure the voltage across the two terminals of the heater element. If you get the ~220-230 required, then the element is open and needs to be replaced.

Or, with the power off, go ahead and measure the resistance of the heater element. It should be less than 16 ohms. If not, then the element is open and needs to be replaced.

With the spa turned off, the connections from the controller to the element are open, so you won't be measuring anything other than the element.

Be careful and use appropriate safety precautions.

Let us know what you find out.

I can't get to the direct connections to the element--they are sealed into the ends of the heater assembly. I can measure the resistance across the wire leads from the power block, but that circuit includes the power limit and pressure switch, I think! That circuit is open...

I did notice that one of the leads from the power block had burned the plastic connector, but the terminal still made a good connection.

Thanks for any help you can give!!

Check my post above.

If the spa is off, and everything beyond the element is correct, then the only resistance you'll be measuring at the controller where the element comes in is the element itself.

And you've obviously read an open circuit.

So your heater is dead.

(With or without any phantom circuits attached to it, it's still telling you, your heater element has gone bad).

It needs to be replaced.

Thank you--I will order a new element tomorrow. You guys have been great to help with my problem!!

Thank you Pageup--your diagnosis was exactly correct!! The new heater is in and we are enjoying our tub again!

Thanks for all of your help and expertise!!