Mackenzie3

So I have had my Hartford for about 1.5 months now and am mostly happy. But after seeing my 1st electric bill I figured I would try and see if economy mode would work just as well and save a little money. So I set it to F4 (2 hours every 12 hours) and I flipped the breaker at around 7am (so it will heat in the morning and evening which is close to when I expect to use it) Whats weird is now I have noticed twice that both Jet 1 & Jet 2 will come on for a short period of time out of the expected turn on times. Doing some reading in the manual Jet 2 specifically prohibits the heater from coming on so im confused as to why it is doing this. Any ideas? Also I have a question about economy mode, will it still heat when I manually turn on the pump? The manual isn't clear on this. Thanks for the help, -MacKenzie

So I am curious how everyone holds their cover to the spa. On my Sundance it has small latches that you screw to the side of the tub and the cover snaps in. The guys who delivered the spa said that for liability they will not install them. And the service guy suggested that since we have high wind sometimes I drill into the concrete and install my own straps to hold it down because the latches on the cover are not good for much but child proofing.

Question so I have this new Sundance Hartford and my 1.5 y/o daughter is still a tad uncomfortable with the 100 degree water. So I figured I would lower the temp to say 90 degrees. I know I could take the cover off but I would rather not have leafs in the spa. What is odd is it really hasnt gone down below 100 all day (changed the temp this morning). So is it really normal to have the spa stay the same temp over 10 hours with no heater? Or is the heater coming on during the regular 4 times a day running regardless of my set temp?

So just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this forum it has been useful in picking and getting a spa. We settled on the Sundance Hartford. Not delivered yet but I think we will be pretty happy with it. Also as a data point for anyone else looking at spas. I paid $5845 for the Hartford it was a floor model. That price includes an Ozonator, cover, covermate 1, and plastic steps, and delivery about 90miles from the store. I want to believe I got a good deal anyone is welcome to chime in if they want (they have my $200 refundable deposit but at this point I think im done shopping). But thought the data might be useful for others shopping.

Thanks for the info Mike. It must all be the same. I didn't look that hard and when I questioned the sales person (different person than the one who had quoted me the included stainless steel) she just called them "silver" like a color. It is one of those things that I would never even have cared about until they tried to sell it as an "extra".

So I saw lots of spas with sliver looking jet covers. In fact I think every one on the floor was that way. And there was a Maxxus that had water in it and it looked like its silver covers were a different shade. But it was nearly impossible to compare them since it had water in it. So were the silver covers that I saw the "stainless steel" or is there both silver plastic and stainless steel?

Okay so Im not sure it matters but I have a question about the "stainless steel jets" listed as an optional feature on the Sundance 680 models. The question is really simple, are the jet faces really "stainless steel"? Or is it just a different color of the plastic? I ask because on Thursday I called our local Sundance dealer and talked to one salesman who quoted me a spa and said he would give me "Stainless Steel escuntions" for free. At the time I wasn't even sure what that was. Then went I went in on Friday I saw that most of the floor models has silver plastic vs gray plastic on the jet covers. And was told by the person working that day that was what it was talking about. It seemed odd to call something "Stainless Steel" when it was really just a color. But I suppose that sort of thing happens all the time in the spa world.

Wannago, Thanks for sharing your experience. I am also trying to do research before I buy, and your post got me thinking on what is "normal" service after you buy the spa. Is it really normal for them to send someone out for a "weak jet"? I totally understand for something glaringly broken (the stereo and trim) but I guess I had imagined that once the spa was set up I was basically on my own. The idea that they would help with water chemistry or jet strength was not something that had occurred to me. Or even that they would accept a return of the spa, I mean it sounds like they had some pretty bad service I am surprised they were willing to do a return. Did you pay anything or get all your money back (including delivery/pickup)?

Wow so part of me wants you to do it and take pictures. But I think you should really consider the pros & cons. While the flexibility of a "portable" tub sounds great isn't the risk of a crack in the tub dumping 225 gallons of water in your new room a pretty big con? I am not a structural engineer but without being 200% confident in your frame I would be very concerned that one night you will wake to the sound of one of those dollies cracking one corner dropping onto the concrete and tub with a large crack in it. Just imagine how happy that would make the wife. But maybe i'm just overly worried. Good luck either way. Also someones post made me think. Why wheels, maybe rails would be more stable. You could built a wooden pad on rails that slid from one side of the room to the other. In theory that would be like putting the tub on a "deck" which I know people do. Or maybe just build a "deck" set it on the floor. And when you want to move the tub, jack it up slide your dollies under and move it. Not as "easy" but seems much less risky.

So I have been lurking and looking at my options for Spas. My main reason for posting is I recently downloaded California's data sheet on spas and now am not sure how to read it. http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/databa...ectric_Spas.zip I have been looking hard at the Sundance Hartford as I think I want a 6-7 person without the lounger. So looking at the data sheet the Hartford has a Spa R-Value or 25 and Cover Value of 13.5. And when I compare that to other highly rated spas on this board that seems to stack up very well. Artesian has some space rated 30 and beachcomber has a few 27-28s. But then I see Bullfrog and D1 rates at 6!? So are they that badly insulated? Or is there something wrong with the data? Also I have a question about the max distance you would consider going to get a spa. I live in the 93555 zip code and the only truly local dealer does bullfrog but 80 miles away are Hot Spring, Beachcomber and Sundance Dealers. Is that too far? I know they will deliver but am I in for a world of pain for warranty work? Also if I am already going that far should I consider the D1 dealer another 50 miles away? Thanks