cpuKEN

Installed new filters but breaker continues to trip about once per day. Reset breaker, started both pumps and things ran fine for hours. Discovered the breaker tripped later in the day. Any ideas?

Well, the breaker tripped after more than 24 hours of having the filters out. Now I'm fearing something expensive... how does that sound?

Just noticed some foaming in the tub... most of the things I've read relate to people actually using the tub but no one has been in since I've refilled and started the new water setup. It's not too bad right now but was puzzled to see it when we haven't used it since this refil.

Recently did a 75% water change (I know, why not empty it all) and soon after (next day) my tub started tripping it's breaker! I swapped out a used set of filters that I had cleaned and stored 6 months earlier but the breaker tripping continued. Online searches suggested it could be ozonator, pump or main board. I could only see $$$$$ and at the worst time of year (my wife thinks we are Santa. I wanted to try a much as possible on my own before calling in the pros. I was down to my last two items to try (1) remove the filters temporarily (2) unhook the ozonator (assuming i could find where it is plugged in). Well, after removing the filters the tub has run for 24 hours without incident. So, can I safely assume it is clogged (old) filters are the culprit? I had already ordered a new set of filters and will install when they arrive. Is it safe to run the tub for multiple days with no filters installed? Thought I'd share what's going on so that others might benefit from my agony. (I have a 2009 Sundance Hawthorne)

Vendors to consider? Vendors to avoid?

After 4 years I recently realized that my original cover was really heavy... originally I thought I was just getting weaker. Having read a few post, it is now obvious the existing cover is water logged (2010 Sundance Hawthorne). Looks like cover technology has evolved over the past 4 years. Flat covers were common back then but I now see a lot of sloped covers. Here's what I'm thinking of looking for: * 5-to-3 inch cover (5 inch thick in middle, slopping to 3 inch on edge) * 1.5 lb foam density * should I get a double wrapped foam or is it worth the extra cost? * metal C channel (should I get this?) * any other detail I should be concerned about? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, what vendors do you recommend. I realize there won't be a consensus on this one but maybe I can get 3-4 different retailers who offer a good quality product at a fair price to choose from. without this forum I probably would have abandoned my tub by now. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Well, I was wrong, I thought the water loss had stopped earlier but I checked it again 24 hours later and there's barely water remaining in the foot well (maybe 8-10 inches). So, that sort of tells me it's not a leaking around a particular jet but in the main plumbing or motor. Turns out it is still under warranty. Should have a visit from the dealer sometime in the next week or two. (Sundance Hawthorne)

The past few months I've only used my Sundance spa about 6-8 times. I went to the gym this morning and decided to take a soak, After about 15 minutes I noticed the water level was just at the top row of jets. I made mental note to add some water once I finished my soak. After a few more minutes it was obvious the water level was falling because the top row of jets were now spewing water into the air. By the time I got out and dried off the top jets were not submerged at all. I showered and decided to wait to see how far down the level would drop. In the meantime I went back and lowered the temp from 104 degrees down to 80 degrees to minimize how often the pumps would come on (they come on when the heater fires up). The water seems to be stable just below the top row of jets and above the next row. Any ideas what I'm looking at here. The last time I called the dealer for service it was going to take many days before they could fit me in so that's why I haven't made that call yet... figuring nothing is going to happen right away.

Waterbear, thanks for your reply. I didn't take it the wrong way... I did give some pretty vague info, just thought the excess foam, if not from detergent, could be attributed to a known, popular situation. It had probably been about 6 days since I had last checked/treated the tub. To be honest with you, during these very cold and prolonged cold days, I would just go down and dump in about 8-12 oz of bleach. That seemed to keep the water clear. I'd also check the pH with a strip (not my Taylor kit) and would make some adjustments if needed. My tub normally, when using and checking every 2 days, would require about 4-6 oz of chlorox and the pH would creep up a little each week. I did do a basic water check (after discovering the foam) and the pH was 8+. I've since add a little pH down and some muriatic acid. I also added a couple squirts of foamout and that really knocked the foam down. Foam due to detergent seems to be more resistant to the foamout but this foam really responded. thanks again Ken

We have only used our hot tub a couple times the past couple of months due to a variety of things but mostly extra cold outdoor temps. I've been checking the water chemistry every 2-4 days and things have been looking good. When I checked it two days ago (admittedly a slightly longer span since the last check) it was a little cloudy!!! I added some extra Chlorox and started the pumps as I normally do. That's when I noticed a lot of foam!!! What has caused this? thanks ken

I did a search and found a couple of older threads but wanted to see if anyone had any newer recommendations or suggestions on a good wireless thermometer. Want to have some advance notice if the heater fails in these freezing temps. Thanks Ken

This is my 1st refill. When I originally setup the tub I was following the dealer recommendations for the first 2-3 weeks before discovering this forum. The dealer had me adding pH down daily (2 oz) for about 7-8 days until the pH came into range. This seemed to work. I now have muriatic acid and wondered if there was a problem in taking this 7-8 day span and reducing it to 2-3 days with muriatic acid? Didn't know if this rapid decent was an issue?

I stopped in on my dealer to see what to do about the spa problem... Finally talked with a tech (who was extremely busy and about to leave town) and explained the problem to him. He said it could be a variety of problems. He instructed me on how to remove the proper panel and try a few things then call him back. I removed the panel then unplugged the ozonator... breaker still trips. Didn't notice any water inside the cabinet (something else he told me to check). I gave him a call and thankfully, my house is only about 5 miles from the dealer, he stopped by on his way to another appointment. Turns out that Pump_One was a dead. He drained the tub, replaced pump one and we were back in business. Now I've just refilled the tub and trying to start the new-fill procedures. Luckily, the tub was installed back around April so still under warranty... only a $50 trip charge. Ken

The wife and I went in for a soak last night. We've been averaging about 2-3 soaks per week here lately with the busy schedule and hot temps. We had only been in the tub for about 10 minutes when everything went down (we had the lights and the stereo on at the time). I examined the 220 breaker and it was tripped. I would try move the switch to the off position then back on but it will not stay in the own position. If I leave it in the off position for 10-15 seconds, I can then get it to go into the on position but it trips within 2 seconds every time. Now I'm not sure who to call, the spa store or the electrician. Any ideas what might be going on with this thing. (Sundance Hawthorne). Thanks Ken

That makes sense on one level but I guess I was expecting my dealer to say... check/clean your filter and let us know if that fixes the problem. I get the impression they were looking forward to charging me a trip charge, only to come down and clean the filter for me. Twice this has happened and it appears that both times removing and cleaning the filter fixed the problem (at least temporarily). I just hosed them off. I plan on doing an overnight soaking sometime soon to see if that resolves the problem for a while. Like I mentioned earlier, some additional bathers probably is what pushed things over the edge. Judging from the amount of foaming that occurred, I wonder is excessive foaming can contribute to the problem if that is only and indicator of new/more bathers. thanks Ken Buy a 2nd filter and rotate them. Soaked the filters overnight in a filter cleaning solution. Hosed the filters off the next day and then let them soak in clean water. Hosed the filters off a last time before reinstalling them. Adjusted the water chemistry a small bit ... about 30 minutes later... FL1 error reappeared!!! I started checking for replacement filters online just to have some spares I might rotate in and out. This would allow for no delay in being able to use the tub while the others might be cleaned/soaked. While doing this research I revisited the user manual only to discover the average life span of the filters is 2 years!!! Now I'm wondering if there is something else going on. Ken