Need Help With Spa Heater Not Working

[Derek]

I just got a brand new Keys Backyard Big Sky model KB120CA the other day. The pump is working, and the heating light is kicking on. But there is NO heating of the water going on. Ran for 8 hours, not 1 degree warmer. =( And the company doesnt answer phones on weekends, but I'd like to get it running now! What should I do?

Does anyone own this model or know what I can do to get it running? Its the model that can run 110v, or be converted to 220v. The heater doesnt run while jets on high, but is supposed to when they are on low, and the heating light does come on. Just no heat...... ?

[Roger]

I just got a brand new Keys Backyard Big Sky model KB120CA the other day. The pump is working, and the heating light is kicking on. But there is NO heating of the water going on. Ran for 8 hours, not 1 degree warmer. =( And the company doesnt answer phones on weekends, but I'd like to get it running now! What should I do?

Does anyone own this model or know what I can do to get it running? Its the model that can run 110v, or be converted to 220v. The heater doesnt run while jets on high, but is supposed to when they are on low, and the heating light does come on. Just no heat...... ?

8 hours with no increase, even for a 110V seems slow. Close the cover tight and wait another 8 before you lift and look and see if there is any increase. If there isn't then you have a problem. It could take up to a couple days for it to reach temp at 110V.

[New NW tub owner]

I just got a brand new Keys Backyard Big Sky model KB120CA the other day. The pump is working, and the heating light is kicking on. But there is NO heating of the water going on. Ran for 8 hours, not 1 degree warmer. =( And the company doesnt answer phones on weekends, but I'd like to get it running now! What should I do?

Does anyone own this model or know what I can do to get it running? Its the model that can run 110v, or be converted to 220v. The heater doesnt run while jets on high, but is supposed to when they are on low, and the heating light does come on. Just no heat...... ?

Since the heat light is coming on, it sounds like the heater unit is just not electrically connected to the controller relay. Look at the connections and be sure that they're good. (Be sure to disconnect the power first). Maybe it's just unplugged or loose. The other possibility is that the heating unit is defective for some reason, perhaps damage in transit. It might also be possible that the relay on the controller is not energizing but that is much less likely. If you are knowledgable about power and controls, you can test that by putting multimeter leads on the heater connection and seeing if you have power there when the heat light comes on. Putting taps on the circuit when it's energized should only be done by someone with the necessary skills and equipment, though, so that we're not reading an obituary here. My guess is loose connection.

[Derek]

Thanks for your help so far guys. As far as waiting another 8 hours, that wouldnt do anything. The manual says its supposed to raise 6 degrees per hour with the cover on. And it raised 0 degrees in 8 hours, so yeah, definitely not working. I took that panel off on the side where the heating element is. Its not even the least bit warm, the pump is putting off heat, but not the heating element. 110v would still put off a good amount of heat though, think of any spacer heater for comparison. I just cant run the jets on high and the heater at the same time, thats the only disadvantage for 110v instead of 220v.

Now it seems when the heating light on the top display comes on I hear a "click" down near the controller box or heating element. What is this noise I'm hearing then? The heating element seems to be in a metal tube with two copper contacts on top. This metal tube shouldnt actually be juiced with power right, but rather there is a heating element inside of that tube right?

What is bad is I waited 4+ weeks for delivery, they delivered it a block from my house, I had to get it here by trailer (that was fun). And then the jets wouldnt work at first since there was air in the pump. I got everything working, including the jets, so I'm down to just the heater! PLEASE HELP! I'm so excited to jump in this thing, but not with 65 degree water, haha! (i fell in eariler, was cold....)

[Dr. Spa]

220 might heat 6 degrees per hour, 110 will heat only 1/4 that. Even when it is heating you WILL NOT feel any heat from the heater, or even in the water coming out the jets. The clicking you hear is most likely the heater relay (that supplies power to the heater) closing. This leads me to believe you either have a faulty heater, or there's a wiring problem between the heater and relay.

IF, you're the do-it-youselfer type, you could check for voltage at the heating element, if none, trace it back till you find voltage, and determine where it stops (and hopefully why).

[Derek]

See I thought you'd be able to feel heat coming off of the heater itself, or maybe the jets. You sure the heating element wont even get hot? We testing the copper tabs on top of the heating element. One was showing 120volts AC, but the other one was only showing like .8 volts or something. What does that mean? I understand the thing would have resistance, but I thought the volts should stay the same, and only the amps would drop? Still cant figure this friggin thing out.... It ran for 8 hours though with no change, so....

This was last night, we've got it on now too, it shows 68 degrees instead of 65, but thats not much. That will compensate for the fact that its in the sun on the front porch.....

So what else can I do, and how long would you estimate it'd take for 200 gallons to heat at what rate with 110v then? Thanks again!