Medium-Well Posted May 13, 2017 Report Share Posted May 13, 2017 So I joined this forum after being smacked around year after year by Hotsprings/Watkins and having to buy a new heater after the end caps cracked each winter. I noticed that no one sold those replacement end caps and a google search showed I wasn't alone. People were using epoxy and glues to repair the caps rather than buy a new heater. To all interested, I decided to manufacture those end caps for anyone in the same situation. I am not a retailer or installer and I don't have a store. I am a regular guy who got fed up and had the end cap reverse engineered to help others in my situation and maybe make a buck or two if I can sell enough of them. I listed them on eBay for anyone interested but, you can PM me and I can save you another $5 or perhaps more directly to avoid fees. Hope this can help others or maybe some installers could use them for repairs. PS: I know they are expensive but, I need to recover the initial tooling costs, samples and CAD scans/drawings so please go easy. Still cheaper than a new heater by a lot!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/282476694523? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Hot Tub Repair Posted May 14, 2017 Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 Nice job. Hope they work well. FYI - Watkins just successfully sued a company that was making knock-off watkins triple bend heaters that virtually every web site and spa parts dealer was selling. My dealer told me it was for patent infringement, although that could just be shop talk. Hope they don't come looking for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medium-Well Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2017 I spoke to a Patent attorney about the part before I started the project. He stated that what I am doing is in no way a violation of any of their patents. I specifically made the part look different (even though I probably didn't have to) and I was very clear about the fact that it is an aftermarket part, not an original part and that I am not affiliated with Watkins or Hot Springs. I can't tell you they won't sue me because anyone can sue anyone for anything, but what I can tell you is that if they do I will fight back. There is no way they would bully me into settling or stopping just out of principle. And if I won it would open the door for a host of other manufacturers to start making all of the other parts that fail without any fear or recourse. I'm small potatoes to them, but you never know.. Their law suit was based on an exact replica of their design and operation. It was essentially a knock off as you correctly stated. Had they changed the design and the way it operated they wouldn't have lost the suit. You can't just copy a product in aesthetics and operation, rebrand it and try and sell it. Its theft of intellectual property. What I am doing is not at all the same thing, just like there are countless of companies making aftermarket parts for cars, blenders, ink cartridges, etc.. Fit and function can be the same or better (sometimes) but, you can't brand it as a genuine part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedStar Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 Good idea. I may have to contact you at some point. Do you have other parts you plan to offer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medium-Well Posted June 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 Hi Speedstar! Since starting this thread, I have sold well over 100 of these caps and keep making running changes to make them better and better. The latest link is here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HotSpring-Watkins-NO-FAULT-HEATER-Replacement-End-Cap-Part-ONLY-/282498340738?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT I am in the process of working on the O rings but, I cannot source even one pair to send out to be replicated. The ones I have are in use on my heater and I have tried all over to find a broken heater or cheap used heater to take the O rings from, but with no luck. If you or anyone else has a pair I can borrow, I will not only return your original O rings, but I will send you 6 more after I start making them for free!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBrez Posted July 7, 2018 Report Share Posted July 7, 2018 Looking for the end cap currently. My apologies for digging up this old thread. Are you still selling these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasons81 Posted July 26, 2018 Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 Here is my fix, with some hose clamps from a local hardware store: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXCVJNJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_R7IwBbFC7ED84 Silicone is very heat tolerant and I suspect this will long outlast the plastic piece as designed from the factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medium-Well Posted July 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2018 For those still interested in this part.. I sold several hundred of them and was contacted by Watkins (or someone claiming to represent them) asking to cease and desist. I told them I would not do so until they started making the part themselves and offer consumers an option. I told the rep that I would take it to court and make it the subject of news reports if they decided to move forward. I wasnt doing it to make money as it was far more troublesome and costly than you can imagine, but to screw the company over for screwing the consumers over. Well. right before summer I got a message that Watkins is now selling the part, with the O rings and for about 40% less than I was selling them for. So, now you have an option that doesnt involve a new heater. They dont advertise it and they arent happy to sell it, but here is the link. If they ever decide to stop selling them I have the file and will ramp right up again. High five for the little guys.. https://www.spadepot.com/Turnaround-Repair-Kit-Watkins-Hot-Spring-Double-Barrel-Heater-P3109 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBrez Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Embarrassing following question! Got my parts and went to put everything back together but unsure of which tube goes to which side of heater. One side is labeled inlet and the other outlet. Stupid me should have snapped some pics before disassembling. I would assume the flow from the circ pump would go to the inlet or does flow not matter here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Hot Tub Repair Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Circ pump goes to inlet. Might work either way, however. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopoffbaby Posted November 11, 2018 Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 On 7/26/2018 at 9:31 PM, jasons81 said: Here is my fix, with some hose clamps from a local hardware store: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXCVJNJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_R7IwBbFC7ED84 Silicone is very heat tolerant and I suspect this will long outlast the plastic piece as designed from the factory. Hi, This looks like an excellent idea for fixing this. I have noticed today I have this same problem. Could you please confirm the pipe sizing that is required and do you have any images of the pipe installed in your spa? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamicas5 Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 Just noticed our hot tub is leaking at the plastic part on the heater. Is it hard to get to and change out the cap and o rings? Does anyone have any instructions as to the best process for getting the heater out? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dug Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 I don't see the end caps on the link. Do you still have them? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane123 Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 I just had to post this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 That's not something you see everyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopoffbaby Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 Haha. That's pretty much the solution i came up with too. Works great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbaro08michael Posted June 22, 2020 Report Share Posted June 22, 2020 I am looking for new water heater for Hot Springs Sovereign Model 1. My tub I bought new in 98 this spring it would heat than shut off now it's leaking slowly. I believe it's leaking from heater. I went to dealer they weren't interested in helping a 20 plus year customer. Any information would be greatly appreciated I probably need those caps as well. Thank you Micheal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castletonia Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 Pretty sure that the original heater is obsolete. Can you take a picture of the heater and equipment area? You might need to do more than just replace the heater, might be some plumbing mods that need to be done too. As a dealer, I’m hesitant to have my service techs get involved with tubs of that age too. There are usually 4 outcomes: repair goes as planned and everyone is happy. Repair becomes time and money consuming for both customer and dealer. Repair goes bad and I’m either charging customer for work on an unfinished job or I’m out the labor cost and wasted everyone’s time. Decline the service and live another day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 23, 2020 Report Share Posted June 23, 2020 @castletonia, if you were in St Louis you would give them my number. That's what the local dealer did. But you are correct about the time and money part. Definitely need some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopoffbaby Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Random update on this. Firstly, my long bendy pipe with Jubilee clips worked great. After refilling my spa, and also getting my hands on a 3D printer I decided to design a u bend part: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4669602 Feel free to give it a go. It has a cutout to put a Jubilee clip and is very sturdy. Print in PETG so it can withstand the heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAB47 Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 Hi folks. I have a Hot Springs Envoy, purchased 2011. My heater element is leaking but at the opposite end of where most of these posts are referencing. It is the end where the inlet/outlet is labeled, maybe about a 3" square plastic housing. Does anyone know if there is an easy fix for this or is a new heater element in my future? Thank you - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted December 9, 2020 Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 I have never repaired one, I put in new. Others have made repairs, but I don't think they were on that end. @ratchett, any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchett Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 17 hours ago, RDspaguy said: @ratchett, any ideas? Call the dealer and let them fix it the right way 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 Well, that is replacing the heater. I thought it as you that had done a repair one one of those, but I remember that yours is new now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryone Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 On 12/9/2020 at 2:10 PM, JAB47 said: Hi folks. I have a Hot Springs Envoy, purchased 2011. My heater element is leaking but at the opposite end of where most of these posts are referencing. It is the end where the inlet/outlet is labeled, maybe about a 3" square plastic housing. Does anyone know if there is an easy fix for this or is a new heater element in my future? Thank you - @JAB47 have same problem on my Hotspring Jetsetter. Did you fix it or have to replace the heater ($$$)? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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