woodro801

Try unplugging the black and white heater leads fron the relay board then turn on your breakers...If it doesn't trip the heater is bad..Hope this helps..Mike

An adequate test for the thermistors is a resitance test...The resistance rating however is determined by the temp of your water. I do have a chart we use so put your meter on 20k, then get your ohm reading...If you like take note of both water temp and the resistance reading i can tell you if they are bad..An amp draw test is almost a sure way to know if your heaters bad however you need to know if your t-stats of thermistors are good so check them first and let me know. set meter on on 20k under ohms place your leads inside the white connecter of the thermistor then check temp of water do this for the hi limit and the control sensor you can bypass the pressure switch to make sure its good (h.s. dealer should have a bypass jumper) Let me know...Mike

Depending on your climate, I'd want that spa filled, running, and heated before I bought it. Even if they offer to write a contract to fix it, you'd still potentially be moving a spa to your house and setting it up, wiring it, filling it... only to find out they didn't winterize it and have a leak. When buying privately, I prefer to see the spa in operation to make sure it heats, runs, and their patio isn't wet from any leaks. Price wise though, that sounds like a pretty good deal. The Hot Spring Vista is a great spa, and honestly it sells for more than double that in my market brand new. As far as the concrete pad is concerned. Hot Spring actually recommends a 4" reinforced concrete pad for that spa. See page 4 of the following document: 2007 Hot Spring Pre-Delivery Instructions (Foundation, Dimensions, & electrical wiring) http://www.hotspring.com/pdfs/pre_delivery...ctions_2007.pdf You can find the 2007 Hot Spring Owner's Manual here: http://www.hotspring.com/Hot_Tub_Customers...e-delivery.html Just talked to the owner and he's having his spa dealer come out and inspect the tub to make sure everything works and create a report. One other thing you might want to ask is if the tub has ever sat dry for a long period of time..This can cause o-rings to dry and crack as well as glue joints to fail....Have a huge problem with that her in the west...Hot summers cold winters...Mike

You are right on with the parts you need..( I am a Watkins spa tech) The heater you want to get is part number 73790 (watkins part number), you will also need the heater retro fit kit, and cord adapter to go along with it. You will need to drain the tub and the kit should have the fittings. The thermistors are differant sizes and they will match up to the ports on the new heater. I hope this helps... Mike p.s. you can test the heater by stripping back the insulation on the heater cord, putting an amp clamp around either the white or the black wire and the heater should be pulling approx. 24-26 amps....The thermistors will only plug in one way.