Hotsprings Prodigy tripping 110V breaker

[ralpheburns]

Hello all,

I have a trusty 1999 vintage Hotsprings Prodigy (s/n HQ381371) that I'd like to make last a couple more years until the frankendeck is replaced.  

The current issue is that the 110V breaker is tripping and unable to be reset.  Very recently we had two days of power outage and cold weather while I was distracted fighting wildfires.  Today, a power-off cycle brought it from "blinking red" to function, and I ran the clean-jet timer.  I don't know if it was actually heating (I bet it was?) because after a few minutes, it tripped the 110V breaker and now the breaker cannot be reset. Service is booked out three weeks.  I added an incandescent shop light to heat the equipment compartment, because more freezing weather is coming.

I don't mind throwing a few of the common parts at it; plus my DIY parts prices will surely be a fraction of the full-service dealer's.  

Here's a clue; for the nine years that I've lived here, it's often had a problem throwing the breaker if the tub was allowed to get too full or overflow.  Mythologically, I suspected the jet knob on top and once repacked it with silicone plumbing grease and think that helped.  I wondered if water could drip to the control board below?  And, and, and in the prior month it's tripped the 110V three times with only high-water provocation without overflow.  

Got multimeter, tho that equipment compartment is such a rat's nest!  I'd also be open to temporarily using a submersible heater to keep it from freezing in the meantime?

Thanks, Ralph in Colorado

[RDspaguy]

Hey Ralph. Where in Colorado? I lived in Longmont for several years.

How fast does it trip? 

Post pics of the controls and equipment area. In 99 it likely has dials for the temp and light, and a multi-relay pack with a small circuit board. Hopefully we won't need to drop the pack.

The fact that it has tripped alot suggests a bad breaker. They wear out faster the more they are turned off/on, and will often have a period of random tripping before going out completely. You usually cannot simply disconnect the spa and test the breaker as it often won't trip with no load, though it may. 

Start by unplugging the heater and see if it holds. Next, the circ pump as well, then the light, then the jet pump. If it still trips with everything disconnected, unhook main power. If it still trips, replace breaker.

 

[ralpheburns]

Hello RD - thanks for the reply!

I live in the north Boulder Foothills, and volunteer with Boulder Mountain Fire.  I first responded to the Middle Fork Fire (just SW of Longmont and just east of the Greenbriar restaurant) on Thursday, and didn't get released from that until later at night and didn't make the cut to the Marshall Fire, but instead was backfill for my department who sent an engine once I returned from Middle Fork.  I did end up out in Louisville later that night to shuttle a paramedic-nurse friend after a vehicle accident, so got sleep deprived nonetheless.  My Louisville rentals, my ex's house, my daughter's house survived, but not my daughter's mom's house nor about eight other families that I know.  Or a thousand others.

Attached are photos.  I did get a trough heater this morning to protect against freezing in the meantime.  And doh, you are suggesting a systematic approach?!  I'll search for the heater connection first... and as of now the 110V breaker is unable to be reset / trips immediately.   I can just go get a new breaker.  The heat is provided by 220V, and that breaker has not been tripping.

The reason I don't initially suspect the breaker is because it had been tripping in response to overflow splashing... as if water goes down the jet diverter knob and drips onto equipment???  I can re-grease that diverter or just RTV it completely - I never use it.

Now we are seeing crust and moisture buildup around the equipment compartment that was not there a couple years ago.  This tub is showing it's age, but I would like to make it serviceable for another year or two.  When the deck gets replaced, I'll get another Hotsprings.

Edit:  Today the 110V breaker stays on with all equipment connected, and since there are little bubbles rising inside the tub middle, I'm hoping that circulation and heat are operating. So much for my systematic troubleshooting skills.  Perhaps the open equipment cover allowed for some internal drying out?  Stand by for updates; I have not run the jet pump, and won't until I see the tub up to temperature.

[RDspaguy]

I'm sorry to hear that. The fires out there have been terrible. You firefighters are heroes. 

Mr. Pool can't get out there? It's been many years, but they had good techs when I was working there. Mountain Mist in Longmont is another good option. You do not want to freeze a hot springs, so if you are busy you might want to call someone.

Those diverters are easy and cheap to rebuild, if that's what's leaking. 

On 1/4/2022 at 12:43 PM, ralpheburns said:

And doh, you are suggesting a systematic approach?! 

Indeed. I've learned to spell it out slowly in these threads. It saves time for those who need it spelled out. If I could include crayon drawings too, I would.😉

Ok, that is not the controls I expected to find in that 99. That is an IQ2000 control system, and uses 2 breakers. I thought we were talking about an old school control on 110v. Your heater, on its own breaker, is not the issue. But that ozone generator could be. It is protected by a check valve that is prone to failure over time and will allow water to get into the ozone unit. And that will trip the gfci.

[ralpheburns]

Update -

The 110V became stable without intervention.  It's possible that leaving the equipment cover open allowed for some drying out.  So I disconnected the ozone and tub light to reduce complications, and after turning both breakers off, drained and scrubbed the tub clean and refilled and re-powered.  The next day I noticed that the 220V breaker was off (was that me or other?), so I turned it back on.  I heard nasty current noises, heard the conductors shift inside the conduit, smelled "ozone", although the breaker did not trip.  Not being overly excited to start the next fire, I turned off the 220V and it's been sitting since.  It is winter outside, so I should probably completely drain it.

Unless there's a straightforward approach, I'm inclined to let it go. Perhaps I should instead replace the heater for a few hundred??  I've been missing tubbing!

I have a deposit down for a new Prodigy Hot Springs, securing last year's price, $14k.
And I've started the process to replace my huge deck.  Figuring $100k when all is done.
I had originally planned on doing both next year, but this pushes schedule ahead.  

 

[RDspaguy]

6 hours ago, ralpheburns said:

I heard nasty current noises, heard the conductors shift inside the conduit, smelled "ozone", although the breaker did not trip.

That's alarming. Turn it off.

Where exactly did you hear this?

6 hours ago, ralpheburns said:

so I should probably completely drain it.

Winterize it. That spa is junk if you freeze it. Lots of videos on it online.