Sovereign IQ46/ Bringing back to life.

[BDreamer]

Yesterday I picked up a Watkins Sovereign hot tub that was manufactured and purchased by the original owners in 1996.

The previous owners closed on their home, and needed someone to haul it away, and I was that lucky person. 

Now that I have it home and cleaned up and filled with fresh water, I have the privilege of fixing some plumbing issues.

This is my first hot tub, and I have a few questions that I hope you fine individuals can help me solve.

1. The 3/4in check valves that are installed are only connected on one side. I assume that they are for air, and that this is as designed? (The one in the picture below is broken so I have a new one ordered and should be here tomorrow.)

2. There is a small 1/4in hose with a red check valve that has broke off. Once replaced, I am not sure where to connect the other end of it...

3. There is a white 1/4in T that water was pouring out of of once the tub was full. I am not sure what plugs in here. (I removed the broken red check valve and plugged that black hose onto the white T to stop the leak. This doesn't seem like the correct location, but it temporarily solved the leaking issue.)

 

So far these are the only 3 issues that I have seen. I need to wire up a dedicated plug for power, so i may see some leaks, or find components that are not operational once power is applied.

Any useful input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mike223]

17 hours ago, BDreamer said:

Yesterday I picked up a Watkins Sovereign hot tub that was manufactured and purchased by the original owners in 1996.

The previous owners closed on their home, and needed someone to haul it away, and I was that lucky person. 

Now that I have it home and cleaned up and filled with fresh water, I have the privilege of fixing some plumbing issues.

This is my first hot tub, and I have a few questions that I hope you fine individuals can help me solve.

1. The 3/4in check valves that are installed are only connected on one side. I assume that they are for air, and that this is as designed? (The one in the picture below is broken so I have a new one ordered and should be here tomorrow.)

2. There is a small 1/4in hose with a red check valve that has broke off. Once replaced, I am not sure where to connect the other end of it...

3. There is a white 1/4in T that water was pouring out of of once the tub was full. I am not sure what plugs in here. (I removed the broken red check valve and plugged that black hose onto the white T to stop the leak. This doesn't seem like the correct location, but it temporarily solved the leaking issue.)

 

So far these are the only 3 issues that I have seen. I need to wire up a dedicated plug for power, so i may see some leaks, or find components that are not operational once power is applied.

Any useful input would be greatly appreciated.

1996 was a solid year and the second year of the externally connected thermistors 38415&38416. Solid tubs if maintained.

 

Yes those are air intake check valves. Being connected at one side only is correct. Normally they’re located up high under the bartop.

 

I don’t immediately recognize the red piece you are holding. Where did it come from?

The white T is the ozone injector / Venturi T. You can choose to either fully remove the ozone system or replace, it but I guarantee it is no longer producing ozone gas even if you see “ozone” bubbles, they’re just air at this point.

 

Glad to see someone taking time to rehab an old spa like this. I have refurbished dozens of old spas that we have sold for sometimes as much as $9,500 for a ten year old Vanguard.

 

I’ll check back and see how you do. Careful with old plumbing lines as they can be very brittle. If you need to separate a stubborn piece, add some heat slowly with a heat gun.

[Mike223]

Adding one set of before and after photos of a spa I freshened up. We give the newer ones a three year main component warranty because we stand behind them.

 

Don’t know why one of them wants to upload upside down. Oh well.