cooldude

I have read this section many times as have many others according to the log. I decided I wanted a hot tub instead of a warm tub. I left comments about a year ago while logged in as "azspausr". I was never quite sure how to proceed and I decided to go for it today. I have two Jacuzzi spas and both perform identically even though they are different madels made four years apart. I have watched the cycling carefully and observed that when the spa is set to 104 F. (maximum setting) the unit will call for heat when the temperture drops to 102 F. and heat until the temperature hits 105 F.. Therefore the spread is three degrees when set for 104. The spa I worked on at this house today is a Jacuzzi J-230. This unit is about five years old. The newer unit at my other residence seems to be quite similar, if not the same, as far as the temperature control part of the system. I noticed that the temperature probe was mounted somewhere close to the suction/filter portion of the plumbing. I don't have access to that part of the tub, so decided to go for the resistor modification instead of trying to pull the probe partially out as others have suggested. To do it this way, I noticed that the four pin plug on the upper right hand corner of the board has two wires (red and black) in a gray casing or cable that go to the probe. The two upper pins on the board are also marked "Temp Sensor". The other two pins are marked "high limit"on the board and are not used for this change. Turn the power off, if you haven't already and pull this small plug out. Cut a parralel slice through the outer casing of the upper wire (going to the sensor) and cut either the red or black (not both) wire and strip about a half inch of wire from each of the ends. Now put the resistor between these two ends, twist the wire around each end and solder the two connections. Resistors are not polarity sensitive so it makes no difference which way the bands are positioned. Wrap the exposed soldered portions with electrical tape and plug the four pin connector back into the board. I first tried a 1000 ohm resistor and got the three degree difference others have reported. To avoid the highest temperture of 108 F. I decided to go a bit more conservative and used a 560 Ohm 1/2 watt resistor that reduced the spread from 103.5 to 106.5. The same three degrees and the spa will start heating when it gets to that new low (103.5) instead of 102 when the thermostat is set to the 104F. high. Radio Shack had the 560 and 1000 ohm resistors in packages of five for $.99 so this fix doesn't break the bank. They also have a 680 ohm if you want your high limit above the 106.5 F. and below 108F. This will all depend on your starting point. I hope these extra details will help those that may be a bit more challenged in completing this procedure. Remember to read your unconnected thermometer so you know how much to add to the reading you get on your spa temperature read out.