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My Spa Adventure Begins


paxthar

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So my spa adventure has begun.

I purchased a 2000 Arctic Spa Cub SS model. First thing I did was take it directly to the Arctic Spa dealer in my area. He already has been very helpful, in that he wet tested it for me for $75 and lo and behold one of my pumps does not work. He said it could be a small thing or at max a whole new pump install for around $600. I am so glad that I took it there and not directly to my house so that I can get it all tuned up and running right before installing it.

Could a pump be damaged because of transport or during transport? If the chances of that happening or my dealer says that the pump was pooched for a while I am going to approach the previous owner about helping with the repair bill as she told me all was well with the tub, and everything was working perfectly when they put it away for storage.

I wasn't able to see the tub running as it was disconnected, and the previous owner swore up and down that everything was in working condition. Got the email to prove it!! I know everyone here would of suggested to see it run or even wet test it, but I didn't have that chance, and the selection of used tubs in this area is very limited.

Even with this setback I still feel I am ahead in that I will have an Arctic Spa for under 2K, the Arctic dealer said I didn't do that bad, even if I had to replace both pumps as a reconditioned tub of the same year or a year older would sell for around 4500 bucks. If anything this will give me time to figure out my placement of the tub in the back yard!!

Will keep everyone updated on my spa adventure!

Any suggestions re: new pump vs reconditoned pump? Do I have a leg to stand on approaching the previous owner re: helping out paying the repair bill?

Thanks again

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I would go with a new pump with a warranty, especially in Canada.

If memory serves me right this was a spa that was winterized and had been sitting. It's not uncommon for issues to show themselves after a spa has been sitting. Moving spas can also lead to issues too though I'm not sure that's why the pump isn't working. I wouldn't be surprised at all that the pump was working before it was shut down.

The other day someone asked me if they should drain before an 8 week vacation and refill later or keep it running while gone and my response was "newer spa I'd drain, older spa I'd keep running" because restart is when issues show themselves.

As far as new pump or reconditioned, that can't be answered without knowing the cost of the reconditioned pump ($200, $300...???).

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Well I emailed the previous owner, to see if we can come up with some kind of arrangement if it ends up being a $600 pump change. The previous owners did state to me that the tub was in excellent condition when I voiced my concerns about everything working, hopefully we can come to some arrangement.

Either way I'm still glad about what I have and will just have to take a bit more time in installing it. My dealer seems like a great guy, I asked him if when the tub is up and running and ready to go if I don't have all the cash if it can sit there for a bit and pay him as I can. He said he would work something out with me, was a relief to hear that from him!! :)

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Well I emailed the previous owner, to see if we can come up with some kind of arrangement if it ends up being a $600 pump change. The previous owners did state to me that the tub was in excellent condition when I voiced my concerns about everything working, hopefully we can come to some arrangement.

Either way I'm still glad about what I have and will just have to take a bit more time in installing it. My dealer seems like a great guy, I asked him if when the tub is up and running and ready to go if I don't have all the cash if it can sit there for a bit and pay him as I can. He said he would work something out with me, was a relief to hear that from him!! :)

Alternatively (yes, the dealers will get mad at me when I say this) you could save a few bucks and order the new pump yourself... It shouldn't be more than 400 bucks for a pump (your cost CDN) and I can't imagine it taking more than an hour for a dealer to install a pump. Then again, I've only had two spas and don't do this all the time...

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Well I went to the Arctic Spa dealer, and thankfully they were able to repair the pump. The impeller was busted, and it needed some seals. They found a couple leaks and fixed those too. So my repair bill shouldn't be that bad. Now all I got to do is shovel all the snow out of the way so that I can put it down in my back yard and hook it up. What is the distance the GFI breaker is supposed to be from the tub?

Thanks

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Well I went to the Arctic Spa dealer, and thankfully they were able to repair the pump. The impeller was busted, and it needed some seals. They found a couple leaks and fixed those too. So my repair bill shouldn't be that bad. Now all I got to do is shovel all the snow out of the way so that I can put it down in my back yard and hook it up. What is the distance the GFI breaker is supposed to be from the tub?

Thanks

Call your town / municipality. The shortest distance I've heard is 5 feet, and the longest distance I've heard is 25 feet. I would put it close(ish) to a deck area so you don't have to trudge through snow if you have to pop the GFI to look at equipment - these are words of regret!!! I have to walk on the grass and uneven riverrock to pop my GFI ,which is really fun and safe when it's covered with snow + natural melt ice + cover drip ice...

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Well I went to the Arctic Spa dealer, and thankfully they were able to repair the pump. The impeller was busted, and it needed some seals. They found a couple leaks and fixed those too. So my repair bill shouldn't be that bad. Now all I got to do is shovel all the snow out of the way so that I can put it down in my back yard and hook it up. What is the distance the GFI breaker is supposed to be from the tub?

Thanks

Like pkillur said the shortest distance is usually 5 ft from the closest water, and must be line of sight. As far as I'm aware this can be either a GFCI or a disconnect. If you use a disconnect then you still must have a GFCI on the circuit (main service panel, or a sub panel). Your inspector can advise further on all of this.

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