I have just installed a new vertical electrical heater. I installed a CORE 240V/5.5Kw. The old one was leaking through a corroded junction in the pressure switch. With the new one switched on, it will not heat above 82 degrees when the temperature dial is turned all the way up. Everything seems to be working fine, but it just won't heat above 82.

Since this is a new hot tub for me, I do not know if it heated above 82 before the old heater broke. So, could the thermostat be broken? I pulled out the Control Center and it was a completely sealed case which made it impossible to actually access the thermostat dial. Also...could the placement of my temperature probe on the actual heater casing be incorrect...could that cause the problem?

My Command center is:

Tridelta Industries, INC (TDI)
"Imperial Spas"
CC 3D-120-06-X-00

Thanks for the help.

could be a number of things, first, determine if the heater is actually heating when the temp is around say, 75 degrees. Check by measuring the voltage across both heater wires. If no power, then your spa is simply heating solely by the heat of the motors. Do the same check when you reach that 82 degree mark. If you still have power going to the heater, you are loosing the heat as fast as you are putting it in... not uncommon if you have a poorly insulated tub or no cover. If no power to the heater, then you probably have a faulty thermostat.