DaveR

go to http://www.backyardplus.com/and type in your serial number you can then download the owners manual for your tub. Great source for HS parts too.

Sorry I normally don't respond to this type of post but this hit me wrong. Was that comment really called for? It adds no value. If you feel someone needs to learn more, instead of making another comment like that, point them in the direction that is helpful, it would be more productive.

From the owners manual - I'd just keep repeating. Usinging a brush may damage the titanium coating. I'd email Hotsprings support before trying anything. You could try something like Acid Magic even diluted it might be to strong and destroy your cell. If it gets to the point where it just won't clean then you might as well try the brush because you will be replacing it if you can't get it clean. Cell Cleaning Periodic cleaning of the ACE cell is recommended to maximize the life of your equipment. Use of the Vanishing Act calcium remover will help reduce the cleaning frequency. On average, the cell should be cleaned every 3 months. When the status message on the screen indicates Low Salt and the water has not been changed or topped off recently, it may be time to clean the cell. 1. Turn off the power to the spa. Open the spa cover and remove the filter lid. 2. Unscrew gray filter cap and gently pull the cell out of the filter. 3. Unscrew the lid to the cleaning bottle included with the ACE system and fill with spa water to the fill-line indicated on the bottle. Add 1 tablespoon of pH down to the cleaning bottle and secure lid. Shake bottle to create cleaning solution. 4. Remove the lid from the cleaning bottle. Place the cell in the bottle, ensuring that the bottom of cell is floating. 5. Soak the cell for 10 minutes or until bubbles stop coming from the cell. If bubbles are still releasing from the cell after 10 minutes, change the cleaning solution and repeat. 6. Replace cell into the filter standpipe. Screw on the gray filter cap, replace the filter lid, and power up the spa. Ensure that the cell is at the bottom of the filter standpipe by feeling for the pull of the pump’s suction.

I am using insteon throughout my house they just posted this on their website. I wouldn't use the iPhone I'd use a waterproof an IR or RF remote which works with my insteon network too. I can run programs, either from my security system or the ISY I use to manage my insteon network. Might be a cheaper solution if my controller ever goes bad. Check out he complete article here clickhere

Pillows were replaced last fall as well as the filters - Tri-X. Dave

What are your current test results? What did you test with? The range of test results you gave is not really useful. You stated that they are you targets, not acutal test results. How often have you been out of the target range and on which tests? Test your water with the 2106 and post the results please. How often do you shock the tub and when you do does the tub run uncovered with all aeration going afterward for at least 30 minutes?\ What are you using to oxidize (shock), chlorine, MPS, ozone, combination? Thanks in advance I am draining and repairing the seal and will follow the decontamination procedure and start from scratch. Given our schedules it might be a couple of weeks before we are up and running again. My sniffer isn't that great it smells metalic to me to my wife its like mildew. Not out of range that often and usually just barely. I tried to keep it in the middle of the range I gave. Last readings before drain were TA 100 PH 7.6 didn't take calcium reading the time before it was 200 Bromine 4ppm We use MPS - during the winter I shut the cover right after adding MPS still ran it for 30 min though - possible issue? tub temp 104

The cover is new but I wondered if it could be the cover. My bad I knew after I posted someone would ask. Test method(s) we have both the Taylor 2106 kit and a Lamotte ColorQ 7 I also kept my Octa-Slide I run the tub all jets on about 5 minutes before testing my targets TA between 90 and 125 - I always adjust first PH 7.4 to 7.8 Calcium 150-350 - I don't test this very often TB 6 Adjust based on what numbers are out of whack run tub for 15-20 minutes retest After heavy use I shock and hit the timer but don't test until we use again. Thanks.

Any ideas on the source of the odor? Tub sat for about a year. HS Grandee. We did a decontamination before filling - spaflush, chlorine soak etc.. Filters were replaced with Tri-X filters before final fill after decontamination. Chemistry checks out and a SPA service confirms our numbers (we are using bromine), water is clear and feels fine. Odor was there even after a couple of months, doesn't get any worse and water is still clear. We are going to do another decontamination when we drain and refill due to a seal leak on one of the pumps. Could it be high metal content? Last time we filled with city water and did not use soft water. Dave

Sounds like there may have been an air lock.

agreed - I believe only 6 ft of water tight flex is allowed. Dave

I had a qoute of $1,800 which included upgrading my main panel to 200 amp a 40ft run to the sub panel and a 30ft run to the tub. I ended up doing it all myself for under $700. Inspected and signed off. Here just a tub hookup runs around $500-700. Dave

If the price is right on the 1998 HS Sovereign you can't go wrong. If they are doing the refurb you should be able to get some kind of warranty. I love my '97 HS Grandee. I'd expect to pay anywhere from $2,500-$4,500(w/cover) depending on the condition and warranty they offer. Dave

I would prefer to get the whole thing for reference as I set this up. Thanks If you go to BackyardPlus and put in your serial number you will be able to download a scanned copy of the manual. Here is the link for the pdf manual of all 1993 hotspring models http://www.backyardplus.com/pdf/owners_manuals/hot_spring/1993_Scanned_Hot_Spring_%20Owners_%20Manual.pdf Dave

That's really important the measurement is from the waters edge not the connection point. Dave

Most of the time it is <50ft and >5ft and must be in line of site. Some local codes the MAX is less than 50ft. Our local code is 50ft and just 5 miles away their code is 15ft.

Need more info on the tub. Since you said there may have been changes posting pictures of the control panel and mechanical would help get your question answered correctly.

I agree with the other posts. Electrical hook-up can cost as little as $500 or as much as $2,000, if upgraded load center (200amp service) is needed. You also need to do pad prep if you don't have one already, and that can be as little as a 4-6 " of compacted class 5, as much as a new 4" inch concrete slab. So it's easy to see how you can have as anywhere from $500 to $3,000 tied up before you even get the tub. Make certain that any tub you look at you can test and take a look into the equipmet area for small leaks (usually pump seals). Good luck! Dave

A friend has their Bromine generator that you toss in the tub he likes it but said he still has to test and add chemicals so he wouldn't buy it again knowing what he knows now. He has a high use situation - 4 teenage kids daily use. Having said that everyone that has the Ace system seems to like it. So for another $100 over the Freshwater III I'd take a gamble, but I like techie stuff and it's your money I gambling with. If you do it I want to know how it works because I might buy one too. My biggest concern would be how long they last. Dave here is an interesting read on salt water pools/spa mostly pool focused. They mention using an ozonator with the chlorine generator. http://phoenix.about.com/cs/wet/a/saltpool01.htm

What make & model? Are you turning it off between each use? Do you have a cover?

Need more info. Tub make model & year. Did this just start or is it the first time you started the tub.

Sorry for the OT Roger, I just added the sig. a week ago. My nephew is in the business and has no time to deal with disposals/rebuilds but he comes across tubs from time to time. Some are really old and not even good for parts but many have some value left. The owners would rather give them away than have the dealer offer to take them off their hands for free or worse having to pay for removal. As far as moving them I really screwed up last summer someone sold all their spa moving equipment on CraigsList for very little money. I do have a couple of young bucks available when I need them (son-in-laws). It's amazing what you can do with 10'x6" schedule 80 used as rollers. Dave

I am bored so I followed up. Nice website really easy to navigate good info on product including some service data, but no warranty information other than the online registration form which must be sent in within 7 days after installation. The only place I saw reference to a warranty was in the product manual on features chart it says "3 (Three) Year Warranty" - there was no detailed info. on what that means. Just for fun I went to 7 other brands and found the detailed warranty info on their websites without any trouble usually a pdf document. Dave

Loose connections/wires can cause overheating and eventually fried wires like you describe.

Your in MPLS aren't you? I had -33 on my thermometer Thursday night. Balmy -9 right now. Yes, Actually southern burb, Lakeville, and it's currently -17. Trying to get my wife to go out, she not having it.

Got up early and had a soak early yesterday before work, temp gauge said -23F. After about 10 min I jumped in the big pile of snow along side the tub and back in, seemed like a good idea at the time. Actually it was fun. What's the lowest temp you've taken a dip? Dave