Hi - Thank you. I know it sounds complicated. The dealer told me he wasn't sure he could get a part today so he pulled a used heater control board off of another hottub but it was from 2001. Because he could not guarantee that the part worked and admitted it was used, I decided to go get a part from the local retailer. Hot Springs retailer told me that we should replace the entire board - not just the heater control board - when they burn up like that. So I made the purchase of $500.00 for the entire control board and told the "used" dealer that I would pay the difference between what he would have paid for it wholesale by ordering it rather than me purchasing it through the retailer.
The used dealer sent out his service tech with orders to replace the heater control portion only, with the used one that was scavanged. I objected because the used part is older than the hottub itself. In the end, the "used" dealer agreed to pay me only for the "heater control portion" and I would pick up the difference. So, I paid $300 and he is picking up $200 and getting my old board because the service tech installed an entire new board. At any rate - I think the hot tub is working again but having just purchased this 45 days ago for $3900, it hurts a bit to add another $300 plus the cost of the labor - whatever that will be.
The tech told me to make sure the shed that the hot tub is in, is grounded - he felt the damage would have been caused by a power surge. Just after he left, sure enough, the lights in the house got brighter for a second and then dimmed back to normal. I hope it doesn't happen again!
The reason I needed the part today is that i have a house full of paying customers - this is a B&B. The reason I did not purchase a new hot tub after our Jacuzzi died is that I can't find a hottub company that would warranty usage in a non-residential setting, so why should I bother buying new if no warranty will apply anyway.
We have four guest rooms only, so they don't get that much use.