2008 Limelight Flair Review

[armyguy]

So I have had my hot tub now for almost a year now and figured I would post a quick review for those considering this hot tub. I bought my 2008 Limelight Flair used on Craigslist and scored a really good deal on it(3k). It also has the wireless stereo/ipod deck. I really like this tub so far but being that it is my first tub I have learned alot about what to get on my next purchase.

Pros:

-The jets seem to be pretty powerful once you get it all figured out.

-The lighting system/waterfall is very cool looking and gets alot of compliments

-Seems to be pretty well built/solid

-Very energy efficient($20-25/mo in Central Valley of California) This is keeping it at 103 degrees 24/7 and using it quite a bit.

Cons:

-I had the dreaded LED light problems after a week of owning it. The led's went from being weird colors and not interacting with the setting I was choosing to completely shutting off for good. I first tried replacing the LED controller which was plug and play ($30 I think) which did not fix the lights. Then I got worried that it might be a wiring issue so figured that I would just pay the local dealer tech to come out and diagnose the problem. He ordered all new LED's prior to my appointment and brought them with them when he came. Sure as heck, after replacing all of the lights($10/pop) the LED's began working again. I have not had any further issues after this with the LEDs.

-So after he replaced the LED's my hot tub began leaking. He came out one other time and tried tightening some of the LED's but it is still leaking to this day which is very annoying. I need to call him back out and have him fix this problem. He said his next step will be to use dye to try and figure out where it is leaking from. I know this is leaking from one of the LED's that he changed out because it was not leaking prior to that.

-I guess I will list this here but it is not really a "CON" so to say but more applied towards my personal preference. I chose the Limelight based on a few different things. The cool lights and waterfall were a big selling point, being a energy efficient HOT SPRING/Watkins tub was another, and one of the main things that I thought I wanted and would use was the lounger. Well after many uses, I can tell you my next hot tub will not have the full recliner. It takes up too much room and I never use it. I find that the reclining SEATS are VERY comfortable and I like them a LOT. The other thing that I will be looking for in my next hot tub will be a bigger foot well. I hate playing footsies when you have the tub to capacity. The foot well in the Limelight is a little small.

Other than that I really enjoy having a hot tub. The Watkins/Hot Spring line of hot tubs are very energy efficient and appealing. One note on this is that I about freaked out after getting the first months bill. It raised our bill over $100 for the month. I later figured out this was due to the fact that I drained and refilled it about 4 times while doing the used spa decontamination process as recommended by several members on here. Every time I did this it had to re heat the whole 350 gallons of water which is why my bill was so high. It was worth it though to not get sick because of who knows what was left behind. After that it mellowed back down to the 20-25/mo.

Chemicals:

I did not want to deal with having to keep adding chemicals and balancing things out all of the time, remembering to add this and that. I researched the net on an aftermarket salt system since the ACE was not available for this older model. I first was looking at the ColorChlor system which got pretty good reviews. After looking into it, I did not want to have something hanging over the side and into the spa, not to mention having to tap it to change settings etc. I finally splurged and bought what I found to be the best looking system for a hot tub. I went with this

http://www.pioneerh2o.com/ISIS-Spa-Product.php

I can tell you that this was the best investment I have made for the spa. I paid a little too much for it from where I bought it from (Found a few hundred cheaper on the net later) but I am VERY HAPPY with it. I literally have ZERO maintenance on my hot tub. It took a while to really get dialed in but after I did it has been a breeze. I basically added the salt that came with it in the amount indicated for my spa size(gallons of water). Then you just adjust the digital number on the control box until it is producing the right amount of bromine for your spa size and usage. I test the water every three weeks or so now with a test strip and it is always good. My water stays crystal clear and you can smell the bromine a little in the water to know that it is working. I don't get dry skin, nor is there a salty taste in the water. I really love this system and will buy it again to put in my next spa. You are supposed to be able to change your water once a year with this system, but can obviously do it earlier if desired. I can tell you that after almost a year with the same water, my water is still crystal clear and balanced and I don't do ANYTHING to it after the first time getting everything balanced properly. Another really cool feature is the boost button. Say your number is set normally on 6(which mine is), because this produces the right amount of bromine for my normal amount of users and amount of usage. Now one night you have a couple friends over and have 5-6 people in the spa instead of the normal 1-3. Obviously you need more sanitizer to kill all the extra funk that was brought into your spa. You just push the boost button when you get out and it will DOUBLE the amount of sanitizer it produces for 24 hours straight, then automatically go back to producing the number "6" amount of normal sanitizer. This is very cool and as easy as pushing a button.

Another thing I almost bought, which I am now glad that I didn't, is one of the wooden gazebos. As much as I would have loved one for the privacy factor, having one really takes away from sitting back, drinking a cold beer, and gazing up into the open sky. Just something to keep in mind for those considering one..it has it's Pros and Cons.

So that is my experience so far and I hope this helps a few of you out that are looking at purchasing this spa. As much as I like this spa, my next spa will probably be a D1 Amore Bay due to the awesome features and amount of room, including feet room that it has. =)

[Spa_Guru]

Thank you for your detailed review, it validates the assertion that you wet test a spa (the lounge factor).

As for your leaks, as a repairman I can tell you tightening fittings never fixed a leak in a thru shell fitting, the fitting needs to be removed, re-sealed, and replaced.

I concur that a spa in the 7 ft range is too small for more than an intimate couple because of the footwell.

I mean hey, I like my friends, but I don't want to feel their legs.

A lounge is useful if you want a lot of thigh/calf massage, but pretty useless for the reasons you stated if you do not need or want that feature, or the spa does not have that feature in the lounge.

My personal spa is 90"x94" double lounge with intense leg therapy, as the wife and I both work on our feet, this feature means the two other spa occupants have the footwell to themselves.

I am thrilled you are happy overall with your spa ownership experience, happy spa owners mean more spa owners, more spa owners is always good.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

I agree with the lounge part for sure. I think lounges belong on spas that are so big that you don't mind the wasted space they take up. Then again, if someone wet tests it before hand and really likes it then that's fine but most find it a space eater over time. In your case since you bought off Craiglist you weren't exactly picking the item off the shelf. As far as the leak, tighting from the inside won't solve the issue unless there is a gasket/o-ring involved and even then its a crapshoot. It should be an easy fix once you or the tech find the source.

[armyguy]

Do you guys think the leak is possibly coming from one of the lights that he replaced or the light housing that it slides into? I was thinking about just taking every single light out and putting clear silicone around them before popping them back in.

[PreservedSwine]

Do you guys think the leak is possibly coming from one of the lights that he replaced or the light housing that it slides into? I was thinking about just taking every single light out and putting clear silicone around them before popping them back in.

No, and don't use silicone. If you suspect a leaky light, just remove the lights and be sure each has both O-rings in place. There's a front and a rear O-ring. Also, check the housing itself for tightness. If one came loose while he was replacing one of the LED's, The gasket can pinch.

For the record, I have yet to see a leak in one of these lights, and I've replaced over 1,000. But I never say never...

[Spa_Guru]

I have sealed a lot of light lenses of all sizes with silicon alone, but if there is an o-ring, use it, do not, however, use a flat gasket and o-ring combination as the gasket will travel on you.

Using silicon means the lens does not have to be as tight, therefore less risk of cracking later on, many types of spa shells flex a little when filled.

The manufacturers use gaskets because they are required to do so by UL regulations.

[PreservedSwine]

I have sealed a lot of light lenses of all sizes with silicon alone, but if there is an o-ring, use it, do not, however, use a flat gasket and o-ring combination as the gasket will travel on you.

Using silicon means the lens does not have to be as tight, therefore less risk of cracking later on, many types of spa shells flex a little when filled.

The manufacturers use gaskets because they are required to do so by UL regulations.

You're referring to typical a typical light lens, which is nothing like the P.O.L. system this customer has. DO NOT USE ANY SILICONE installing or sealing these lights.

[leonml]

I'm new here, and had searched for help months ago, and gave up. But now I've talked to techs and have taken it upon myself to repair my own tub. I am still confused with some troubles I'm still having, but I'll shed some light on your problems. I've had them, and more.

I will give all tis info in my own review. Keep your eyes open, it's gonna be a doozy. Get ready to get your hands dirty as well, as this might surprise you as well. Put it this way, I could probably consider myself a full blown hot tub tech and ad to my resume as a medical laser technician.

Thanks

Leon

[leonml]

See my new post on this pile of crap hot tub. I'm unsure any tub company cares to build quality. No one would put up with a car for $15k give or take, that had these problems. This is a giant bathtub with bubble, not a big deal you'd think.