Alber36 Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Hi all, new to the forum and thanks in advance. I have a 2015 Vita Spa Model MONYG, Balboa MXBP501X PN 56549-01 pack. When I increase the goal spa temp above the current temp, the light flashes for calibration, then the low jet setting turns on, however water is not being warmed and the spa temp never rises. Only when I turn the Jets on High will the temp rise 1 degree in a half hour. There are no error messages, and everything else seems to work properly. The circuit board (from the front seems okay, pic attached). I have not recently filled the tub, there are no air locks, the filters are clean and water chemistry is perfect. Issue seems to have started out of the blue. Everything appears 100% normal except that water is not warming. Note I have never seen ANY error messages displayed over the lift of the spa. Please help! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Check the spa mode and set to standard. Check voltage at the heater terminals when heat indicator is on/ low speed pump engaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Spa mode is set to standard/ready. See 3 images below with the multimeter readings. One testing both connections, the other two testing one connection plus the heating pipe. The one with both connections measured zero. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Forgot to mention, when i did this test the heat light was on as it was trying to heat with the low jets circulating. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy not sure what part needs to be replace or if I need to still test something else? 😑 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 Bad relay on the circuit board. It can be repaired by an electronics/computer repair shop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy Awesome, thank you! If I brought the circuit board into an electronics shop, I’m not sure I’d be able to tell them exactly what needs to be done- is there a specific part on the board that needs to be fastened properly? (Circuit map attached) Any idea what could have caused the issue? Last night I did notice that there was a leak coming from the heater union gasket when jets are on high. (See photo) and also the control panel temp up/down button sometimes after getting wet or heavy use has a difficult time registering the request (have to leave it be and return a few hours later), and has led to using objects to push the arrows hard (see pic). Lastly, I had initially tested the voltage with a voltage meter (not multimeter) and tripped the circuit... not sure why but perhaps I was careless in where I was making contact. Thanks so much, you’re a lifesaver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 Disconnect the heater from the pack by removing the 2- 3/8" nuts while holding the small nut under the copper tabs (see attached) and then lift the copper tabs up so they are not touching anything. Then power up the spa and test the 2 copper tabs for 240V while the heat light is solid and not flickering. If you get 240 replace the heater element. If you don't get 240 remove the board and you will likely see a burnt area on the backside of the circuit board. Take it to repair shop and have them re[place the Y1, Y2, K5, K2, K3 relays. You could likely get away with just replacing the K2, K3 relays but I get my guy to replace them all while the board is out and freshen it up so you don't have issues going forward. Relays a fairly inexpensive so why not IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @CanadianSpaTech thanks, meter read zero still (see pic). Though the connections had some corrosion on them. @RDspaguy sounds like you agree that I need to fix circuit board. better to fix board or replace? Sounds like boards are super pricey so may be quicker to fix just hoping I can find the right place. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy @CanadianSpaTech I removed the circuit board, see pics. I don’t see any damage. Do you still think those relays need to be replaced? Or could it be something else? thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 If the heat indicator is on solid, not flickering, with no errors and there is no voltage out to the heater then it is a relay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy i don’t seem to see Y1, Y2, K5, K2, K3 on the circuit board... do you agree those are the ones that should be replaced? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 There are 3 relays above the heater connection. It is one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 I see K3 and K5- pic attached also the back. Maybe it is a little black. Having a tough time finding a place that will do it so I just want to make sure when I find a place that I’m specific with instructions... thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 An electronics repair shop can tell you which is bad. That is their job. Visible burns and blown solder joints are the result of a bad relay not the cause. That dark spot is a burn. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy Thank you! I assume they need to take off the black unit just under the K3 and K5 notation and then reconnect it? I ask specifics because they are asking me exactly what need to be done... Is there something else that I should look at to prevent it from happening again? thank you A MILLION!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 This is the most common board problem. The thermostat relay takes the most amp draw so arcs the most when switching which wears down the contacts creating heat, which eventually damages a solder joint or internal relay part. I don't repair circuit boards, I replace them. I will not have them repaired for my customers because I cannot warranty the repair. If a customer chooses to do this I will charge them to come remove it and then charge them to put it back in. They are on their own on the repair and any issues that result. If your electronics guy needs to be told what to fix, get a different electronics guy. That's his job, not yours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy Understood, much appreciated. Just trying to understand if what needs to be re-affixed is the two black Hongfa boxes to the circuit board? Pic below. thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @CanadianSpaTech @RDspaguy how do these two hongfa pieces come off the circuit board without damaging them? Or do I need to order these two pieces to replace them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 Those are 2 of the three relays controlling the heater. The single thermostat relay is the one that fails, as it is the one that switches on/off during normal use. They are soldered to the board, hence the need for an electronics guy. If your repair guy doesn't know this, he is not an electronics repair guy. Perhaps you should just buy a new board. It sounds like the guy you are talking to doesn't know what the **** he is doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 I guess not he is telling me that I need to buy those two black pieces as they probably cannot be saved when the relay is re-soldered... will try to find the right electronics person or I guess buy a new board for 650 bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cranbiz Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 Those 2 black things ARE the relays. Unfortunately, this guy is a moron or doesn't want to do the work. Peel back the white paper sticker and take a new picture of the relay with all the numbers in it. Then we can at least find the replacement relay. Removing the old relay and soldering in a new one isn't rocket science for anyone that has worked with a soldering iron before. It would probably take me 20 minutes tops and that would be because I would be really careful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @cranbiz, you are a no BS kind of guy, and I like it. 2 hours ago, Alber36 said: buy a new board for 650 bucks Ouch. You can get a new aftermarket pack for less than that, which comes with a heater and topside. Post a pic of the topside and list your equipment (# of pumps, ozone, etc) and maybe we can find you a better option. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alber36 Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 @RDspaguy Maxx VitaSpa 2015. 2 pumps. See pics attached which should have all the details. thanks, you rock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 https://pool-spa-supplies.com/balboa-control-balboa-water-group-retrofit-kit-bp7-tp600-g6406?utm_source=google_shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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