Jump to content

Theojt

Members
  • Posts

    22
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Theojt's Achievements

Junior Member

Junior Member (2/5)

0

Reputation

  1. I went through the same consternation when I got my tub (its the same as yours). The ACE system really does a good job and even reminds you when its time for monthly maintenance. And get the Taylor kit, you won't be sorry. As others have stated - you will ultimately have way less work and issues if you spend the time after (re) filling to get the chemistry right. Each time I fill my tub, I record the Taylor results, the amount of chemicals I added and then the results of the follow up testing to assure the chemistry is right. By doing this work and recording all results, I now have a really good handle on what I need to do. I fill the tub, measure it with Taylor kit (it doesn't really vary much from fill to fill), estimate how much chemical(s) I need to add (based on my collected data and test results) and then I just dump them in and do a cursory follow up check (usually 24 hours). While this was an initial PITA, it means I now spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying the tub. I probably spend 20 minutes every two weeks and a bit more right after filling it. Other comments: - I would note that while the ACE has a "boost" function, I don't find that as useful since it is slow to react (like 24 hours). I just go with some non-chlorine shock immediately before or immediately after a peak use (party). - Get yourself a sump pump/pool cover pump (submersible). It takes me about 1hr 15 mins to fill the tub and about 1 hour 20/25 minutes to drain it this way - faster than gravity drain. - Use ACT to remove Calcium Hardness - I get all the chemistry into the proper ranges, and only then do I add the salt and start the ACE system Enjoy your new tub! When you first get your spa, it will feel like you are spending hours trying to get it right. It did with me. Once I read more on this forum, I found some posts which helped. Once I finally got it down and established a routine, it really takes no more than 15 minutes a week to maintain. The first week after a refill will take a little more. But once the numbers (CH, ALK, PH, etc..) are dialed in, you wont be spending that much time maintaining it. Get the Taylor kit. Worth the money. I do use strips, but I uses those to spot check in between my weekly checks with the Taylor kit. Verify the strips against the Taylor kit.. there are some POS strips out there.
  2. I have a 500 gal Hotsprings Grandee w/ACE. I have dumped it in the yard with no bad results but it sits on a deck so I am having a regular drain line (2") installed under the deck with an access panel from above. I also bought a Flotec Swimming Pool Cover pump (submersible, auto-shutoff). It's reasonably priced and empties the tub in about 1 hour - the same amount of time it takes me to fill it.
  3. Did they happen ot give you a Tech Bulletin number or any reference like that?
  4. I'm anxious to hear the update. I am starting to notice a pattern - it seems to definitely vary with ambient temperature. During the late summer (new install), it was dead on. Then we had a cold spell and I noticed a 2, sometimes 3 degree variance. Last weekend when the temperature was back in the mid-70's, it read okay again. Today it's in the upper 50's and I see a 1 degree temperature difference. So in rough terms of ambient temps (I'm guessing at the exact thresholds): - 70 or higher = same - 58-69 = 1 degree difference - 48-55 = 2 degrees difference I wonder if the trend will continue and the delta will grow larger as the weather continues getting colder - that would be bad. Something to watch. I'd be interested if others have noticed a similar pattern.
  5. I think that's normal - its the heater return. Ours is usually hot there too. I just spoke to Watkins, they will look into it. I should have gotten his name (my bad). He did not seem to know about the problem, or the fix. He took my name and number, and my dealers name and said someone would get back to me. I mentioned this forum/post to him also.
  6. Thanks for the info. I am fine with using chlorine, and planned from the start on using the Dichlor to bleach method but then the hot tub store rep said NOT to use chlorine on a usual basis so that is what spawned the question in the first place. Cheers, Scott I was curious about this position from your retailer so I downloaded the Jacuzzi 2010 manual. Page 1 is the front cover. Page 2 states very clearly that the FC level must be between 2-4ppm (like most spas).
  7. Thanks for the input. Sounds like it really will be minimal maintenance, My water looks crystal clear since refilling, despite significant use. I also learned how worthless those strips are once I got my Taylor kit. Some are close, others are so far off, I'm sure it would play havoc with a user's water chemistry if they trusted them at all.
  8. Same experience here with a 2010 Grandee. Had it running for about a month set at 101 and it read exactly 101 all the time. Then I had a repair call for which I had to drain/refill and now the temp reads exactly 2 degrees higher than set temp. Thermistor was replaced but no change in behavior. I have verified the water temp matches the displayed temp with a good (human) thermometer - both are exactly 101, though my set temp is 99. The Service Manager from the dealer followed up with HS, who explained that "this is normal". It's odd, especially after it seemed so accurate with the first fill but it doesn't seem to be anything to lose sleep over though. Jeff
  9. This is correct. Lower frequencies have longer waves. And you (actually "they") could be in the unfortunate situation where the peak of the wavelength happens to coincide with their physical distance from the vibration source. I'd work to determine the source first - by visiting their home and then testing weather it's jets or pumps (and which ones) through the process of elimination. Once the source is identified, you can investigate solutions - repairing shock mounts, replacing pumps, isolation pads etc.
  10. Yeah, I had a few words with his installer but he is footing the bill for all required repairs. I later found out that the installation electrician had also pulled aluminum wire from the Service Panel to the spa panel. This is against Hotsprings recommendation and I beleive against NEC code - so he's doing that over with copper on Monday. I guess the lesson here is that you need to check up on everybody's work, regardless of their reputation or the dealer's recommendation to use them.
  11. I'm about 2 weeks post delivery of my Grandee with the ACE system. I filled the tub and followed the directions per the dealer: (1) Put ACT bag over the spa drain for 24 hrs (flip it over at 12 hrs). (2) Check TA and pH, adjust if necessary. (3) Add salt (6 cups) (4) Set Spa Size = 8, Use Level = 3 (ACE should be running now) (3) Bring FC up to 3-5 range using Dichlor Everything went pretty well but the ACE system took a while to "catch up" with chlorine production. The FC would fall off each day to 1-2ppm until about the 4th day when everything finally seemed to be stabilzied. The Ace system is now keeping the water pristine and soft. With my Use set at 3, the FC is stable at 3ppm; TA and pH are not drifting, at least not noticably (my Taylor kit isn't here yet so I'm just using strips). I guess this is similar to the Dichlor/Bleach method except that it's the Dichlor/Salt method and the salt/ACE is maintaining the FC levels. Here are my questions: (1) Do I still need to do 'pre-dosing' with Dichlor or MPS if (significant) higher use is expected (like a party)? I know the ACE system has a boost if you know 24 hrs in advance of the higher usage but what if you don't know ahead of time? I don't think the ACE system measures anything other than the salt level, so it doesn't actively monitor or adjust sanitation. Would it be better to just shock it after the higher use? (2) What about weekly shocks to 12 ppm - are these still necessary or advised? Any other advice from those with more experience than me? Thank you. I get to start all over again in a week or two when the dealer comes to do my first repair - the electrician drilled a hole right through a drain line on the tub. What an idiot! At least I have a working temporary patch on it.
  12. I would be interested in how they assure consistency across the cameras in the iPhone and the lighting conditions. I guess it works kind of like the AquaChek Test Strip Reader?
  13. These are good points. I knew it made chlorine and ozone, but I missed that it generated hydrogen peroxide. Do any of the HS dealers here have access to engineering at Hot Springs for clarification? Not looking for marketing answers - just the technical answers.
  14. Glad to hear that - I just purchased a Grandee with ACE. Won't be installed until early July though. I travel fairly frequently, so the salt system was part of my decision due to the ability to extend time between maintenance. Hope it holds up to the hype long-term. Jeff
×
×
  • Create New...