Dr Error When Pumps Run And Water Follows In Balboa M7 System

[yingtixu]

My spa has a Balboa M7 system. It runs, but shuts off with dr error after passing 4 minutes Pr mode and starting SLP mode and heating. The water system seems ok, because two pumps run, all valves are opened, and water moves from the jets to the filter. The circuit board and heater are new. The voltage between two heater connectors are measured to be 240. Any advice and help are welcomed. Victor

[Spa Board Doctor]

The "dr" error is usually related to a lack of adequate water flow in the heater circuit. Dirty filters are a common cause. To see if your filters are the culprit remove them, reboot, and see if the error code goes away. Another "dr" error cause is heater element replacement with the wrong size/shape element. If the distance between the M7 temperature probes and the heater element is too close the probes will wick too much heat from the element causing the error code. Make sure to purchase the correct replacement element for M7 systems.

brandon@spokanespas.com

[Spa Board Doctor]

"dr" continued...

The "dr" error code may also be caused by a sticking heater relay on the circuit board. If the relay is stuck closed upon boot the heater will energize before the heat pump has had a chance to come on and often boil the water in the heater manifold (hopefully there's water in there!) or worse dry fire i.e. no water in the tube. With this failure you can often hear a sizzle coming from the heater manifold upon boot. The heater relay may either be stuck closed permanently or stick occasionally - error may occur sporadically. This is a repairable failure.

brandon@spokanespas.com