Sundance Watch Dog Error Code

[mgdad]

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy we lost power for about 20 hours. Luckily no freezing yet. When I checked the spa it had the Watch Dog error code. The dealer suggested I trip the gfi breaker, leave for 15 minutes then turn on the breaker. Here's the problem... When I push the "test" button on the breaker, it does not trip the breaker. The breaker is a 60 amp dual pole gfi breaker made by Square D. I did turn off the power at the breaker by flipping the switch to off and after 30 minutes turned it on again with the same error code. I also tried a reset by turning off the power at the house panel but that didnt work either. Is it possible that I have a faulty gfi breaker because I cannot trip it by pushing the test button? Would that possible be causing the error code? Any suggestions very much welcomed.

[mgdad]

Problem solved with the hair dryer trick. Can't believe it but it worked lol. Thanks forum!!!

[CoreyAsk]

Ok, so this seems to be a common question with owners of sundance hot tubs. I will answer the problem and explain why it happens. On the main circuit board of a sundance tub, there are 2 large capacitors in the center of the board. These 2 capacitors act as a filter for electricity which is mainly used on start up. A capacitor generally has a life span of about 2,000 hours, and when they start to go bad, they either will leak or buldge on the end. The buldge may be ever so slightly, but it is indication that the capacitor is bad. Again these are mainly used on startup when they are charged with a higher voltage and "blast" of electricity. If the capacitor can't handle it and "purify the current, it will trip the board. in turn this is why you see the watchdog code. you will notice when looking at these there are a few numbers on the side. when you order new ones keep in mind those numbers. but you need to change is the voltage. The current one is either 20 or 25v......buy one for 35v and use that as the replacement. yes this is ok...just means the capaciter can handle better voltage and will last longer. I believe this is something sundance overlooked when making the boards (lifespan and improper voltage) bot capacitors should run about $6. You may have read about a blow dryer trick, and everyone says this is not possible to make it work, but they are WRONG. What the blowdryer does, is apply heat to the capacitor which warms the gel like substance inside, the heat forces the gel back to its original place and shrinks it back so the electricity can flow---i forget the technical name, but if it is not severly shot, this blow dryer trick will work, either until the tub is put under heavy load or the power goes out. this usually only happens in cold weather, as when it is hot out the capacitor is warmed enough by the outside air temp.

to replace the capacitor your self you will need a soldier gun, soldier, and the cloth like strip to pull the older soldier when removing the old capacitors. keep in mind the positive and negative side, and that direction should be the same for both capacitors. with out cutting off the new capacitor wire insert them in the open holesben them slightly to hold in palce and re- soldier. have a good tip soo it does not splatter, ensure you have a steady hand and do not over do it! once secure in place take a wire snip and cut off remaining leads and make sure no ther connections ar touching where you soldiered. replace board in control unit and restart------of course shut the power off at the breaker before doing any of this. it is not necessary to remove the board completely, just enought to flip it down forward.

Hope this helps, i am sure there will be critics----hot tub repair companies as they will advise to buy a new board.---keep in mind hot tub reapir people are not electricians for this type of job...maybe plumber/electrician for household stuff.....they are there to make money and sell you expensive stuff to make a living. If you don't feel comfotable doing it yourself, simply take a picture of the wire connections, remove the board order the new capacitors and take to a tv/ electronic repair shop and tell them you want the 2 capicitors you bought swapped with the old-----no need to tell them anything else or even for what it is for and they should do it for a nominal fee. this litterally takes less than 5 min. take it home look at pictures and hook it back up.

Again this i believe was an oversight by sundance in these earlier models and is a very easy fix,,, don't fall fo rthe new board stuff.

In addition if you do the blow dryer trick other things such as the light and sensors may not operate as they are supposed---you may see erratic light changes, or the display saying their is air in the system---this is caused by the current not being pure as it passes through the defective capacitor that has been "over ridden"

Hope this helps, i know i will recieve critism, but guess what....i am right, i have done it, i have knowledge of electronics, and it works!

[Spa_Guru]

By the way, if your GFI breaker does not trip when you push the test button, replace it immediately.

[Spa Board Doctor]

The "- - - -" or "watchdog error" is common to Sundance and Spa Builders PC boards. It may be caused by several things but the most common are a bad temperature or high limit temperature sensors and bad filter capacitor(s) on the PC Board. I have never tried - nor will I - to heat the capacitors into working again as stated in a post above, but I have successfully repaired tens of these boards by replacing the affected caps. Often there are six of them that are bad on the Sundance boards. The only way to know for sure is to look at the regulated DC on the board with an oscilloscope. You can however spot the worst of them by looking for a bulging top.

BB

[n1oty]

I think pro's understand that either the caps need to be replaced or the board replaced if the caps are the cause of a watchdog error. The purpose of explaining this trick to people is so someone can avoid a freeze scenario until service can be performed. After all, this particular problem seems to crop up more often in the very cold weather. If somebody is dumb enough to simply keep on running for a long time, after utilizing this trick to save themselves from a frozen tub, then they deserve the complete failure that awaits them.

John

[xmnranger]

Blow dryer on slightly bulging cap worked! Five minutes on high heat and a light push with butt end of screwdriver. Freezing conditions moving in tonight, but hot tub is up and running! I will replace later at warmer weather as wise to do so. I did pull filter assembly prior to start attempt as somebody suggested, but do believe it was the capacitor. Thanks much to suggestions! Miller time!!!

[Spa Board Doctor]

The correct capacitor set is available at the following link:

http://ebay.com/itm/Sundance-Spas-800-850-Circuit-Board-Repair-Capacitor-Set-of-6-Spokane-Spas-/141758309284?nav=SEARCH

Brandon@spokanespas.com

[EastSacBrian]

Corey, I wanted to thank you for the thorough explanation because a quick capacitor test.  I went through control panel, sensor, transformer testing and went back to the voltage regulator and capacitors being the cause.  For future readers:

Spa: 2001 Sundance Cameo. 6600-056 RevB board

Symptoms: 45 degrees out / freeing evenings. Plug in the main 6 pin power supply to the control board, temp quickly displays and is cool, single pump cycles or press the light button, display fades to white with watch dog - - - -.  

By heating up the two main capacitors by the voltage regulator, I was able to get the panel to stay on and get my spa out of freezing risk temps.  New caps ordered and will self serve.

Cheers!