Basic hot tub electrical questions - first time buyer

[brownmola]

I have a bunch of questions that need help answering because this is all pretty foreign to me. Some background, I don't have any outlets or electrical in our very small backyard, and I want to install a hot tub. We are looking at a refurbished Hot Springs TX model (triangular shape).

Money is a factor and I was told that if I don't care if the jets are on high and the heater turns off, that 110v would be fine. If the jets are on low, will the water still heat and maintain temperature on 110v? Our weather never drops below 45 degrees. I also don't care if it takes 24 hours to heat up initially, as long as we can maintain the temp once it hits 98 or 99.

The plug it comes with is 110v/15amp, but there is an option to hardwire it for 110v/30amp. What is the difference/advantage of the 30amp vs. the 15amp?  

Thanks in advance!  I apologize if these are super basic questions, but they are definitely out of my expertise and I want to make sure I make the right decisions as it is a one of the larger purchases we've ever had for my family.

Rick

[Cusser]

I'm in Arizona, our temperature rarely goes below 45F.  Our 1988 spa is 240 VAC but the heater rarely even comes on when we're in it because it's well insulated, but we rarely use the jets either, and rarely say in longer than 30 minutes at a time.

You'll need to run a dedicated circuit (and GFCI) to your new spa. 

[Whitepine]

On 3/28/2019 at 11:34 PM, brownmola said:

I have a bunch of questions that need help answering because this is all pretty foreign to me. Some background, I don't have any outlets or electrical in our very small backyard, and I want to install a hot tub. We are looking at a refurbished Hot Springs TX model (triangular shape).

Money is a factor and I was told that if I don't care if the jets are on high and the heater turns off, that 110v would be fine. If the jets are on low, will the water still heat and maintain temperature on 110v? Our weather never drops below 45 degrees. I also don't care if it takes 24 hours to heat up initially, as long as we can maintain the temp once it hits 98 or 99.

The plug it comes with is 110v/15amp, but there is an option to hardwire it for 110v/30amp. What is the difference/advantage of the 30amp vs. the 15amp?  

Thanks in advance!  I apologize if these are super basic questions, but they are definitely out of my expertise and I want to make sure I make the right decisions as it is a one of the larger purchases we've ever had for my family.

Rick

Hi Rick, I have a Hot Springs SX model, 285gal., so a bit bigger than the TX. If a TX/SX is wired for 110/30, the heat will operate with the jets on high as well as on low. 110/15 will only do heat when jets are on low. 

As stated by Cusser, if you're in for 30 mins or less you probably won't notice much drop in temp, if any. We are in a cold climate and sure, when it's below freezing it will drop maybe 2 degrees in 30 mins, but that doesn't hinder our experience.

If you want to use it for hours on end (prob not with a TX) then you'll want to wire it for 220 to get the higher heat ability (4kw vs 1kw).

Good luck and have fun!

[brownmola]

Awesome, thank you everyone!

[brownmola]

Okay, the hot tub has been delivered! Very exciting.

 

Does anyone know if there is a different exit point for the power cable other than right in front of the controls? I am having it hardwired but would prefer the exit point to be on the side, instead of the front. I know the older Solana TX models had two exit points on the side but I couldn't find any information on the Hot Spot TX models having this. I believe it is a 2014 model. 

Thanks!

[north_of_boston]

brownmola,

This is just my humble opinion.     You're dealing with several hundred liters of water.   And two or three or four rear ends.   And 110V or 220V.

Hire an electrician who has done this work before.   Use a GFCI standard receptacle AND special breaker.

Please.

[brownmola]

I appreciate it north_of_boston. Totally agree. All of those questions were actually for the electrician who was not that familiar with hot tubs. I think I would fry myself if I did it myself for sure  :   )

Good news is that the electrician set it all up with a GFCI subpanel and everything is working really well, 110v/30amp.