I inherited a Hot Springs Jetsetter spa from my mom. She had it in her garage, I've got it on the back porch. It gets full sun from noon to sunset. Last year I'd put a tennis ball under the corner of the cover to let it cool off, but that stressed the hinge on the spa cover, and I just paid several hundred dollars to replace it.

At any rate, the spa has stayed well above the set temp for 6 weeks or so. The thermostat has been set at 95 or 90 degrees, and the temp has been staying at 104 degrees plus. I expected some natural relief since the weather has been cooling, plus it rained all day yesterday. Highs are in the 80s or 90s lately, and lows in the 60s or 70s. Yet, the spa is still at 104 degrees.

I moved the thermostat set temp up to ~102 degrees, and the green "ready" light came on. Then, moved it below 100 degrees and the ready light went out.

2 questions: First, is it likely I have a thermostat/heater problem?

Second, if not, any pointers besides propping the cover open to let it cool?

Thanks,

Hal

Try putting it in "summer mode."

Sounds as though it's working normally, the little 24hr. circ pump adds about 60 watts of heat, gradually heating the spa without the heater being utilized. The temp sensors and heating system are not to blame.

Summer mode: Try holding the temp+ and temp- button at the same time for about 5 seconds- you should see an icon pop up on the display once summer mode is engaged.

What's the serial number of the tub? Might also have a toggle switch on the side of the control box under some red factory tape.

Good luck,

~Swine

Don't know the serial number, and don't know where to look. I'll try temp + and - at the same time, and failing that, I'll look in the manual.

Thanks!

By the way, I've got fat, sausage fingers, and the heater reset button is on the back side. Dang near impossible for me to reset. But it seems I have to reset every time I refill the tub, even though I unplug the tub, and don't plug it back in again until it's almost full. Suggestions?

Hal

check circ pump (small, silent 24 hour pump) for proper operation. As soon as spa is energized, the circ pump should begin pumping water. If it takes a minute or two to get going, the heater will over-heat and trip that high-limit. Also possible, the high limit is out of range, in which case, you need to replace the heater.

Good news here, the new heater has an internal automatic reset (PDR heater)

That high limit has been a source of complaints for years, very glad to finally see it redesigned.