Spa Maintenance

Purchasing a spa or tub is a large investment.  At Northwoods Hot Spring Spas, Inc. we have the most comprehensive maintenance program to keep your spa in top running order and can be customized to fit your needs and schedule.  That way, it’s ready when you are.

Spa Water Troubleshooting Guide:

Spa START-UP AND REFILL PROCEDURES
Your Hot Spot® spa has been thoroughly tested during the manufacturing process to ensure reliability and long-term customer satisfaction. A small amount of water may have remained in the plumbing after testing and, as a result, may have spotted the spa shell or the spa siding prior to delivery. Before filling the spa, wipe the spa shell clean with a soft rag.

The following instructions must be read and followed exactly to ensure a successful start-up or refill.

1. Close all drains and fill the spa with water by removing the filter compartment cover, skimmer basket, weir, and filter. Then insert the end of a garden hose into the filter hole and begin filling the spa. The water level of your Hot Spot spa should be maintained at a level one inch above the highest jet in the spa. Reinstall the skimmer basket, weir, and filter once the spa is filled.
IMPORTANT: Watkins® Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend that the spa be filled with “softened” water, as this may damage the spa’s equipment.

2. AFTER the spa has been filled with water and the equipment compartment door is secured, power must be applied to the spa.

• 115 volt models: Connect the GFCI to the waterproof receptacle and push the RESET button on the GFCI.
• 230 volt models: Open the door of the electrical subpanel and reset the GFCI breaker. Close and secure the subpanel door.

3. The jet pump(s), heating system and all internal plumbing will achieve a partial prime as the spa is filled. To check the operation of the jet system and to purge any remaining air from the heating system, push the JETS button on the control pad twice (three times for Mallorca) to make the jet pump(s) run on high speed for one minute. Once the jet system is fully operational (as indicated by strong, non-surging jets), priming of the spa is complete. If you do not feel a steady stream of water from your jets, refer to the instructions for priming the pump in the SPA TROUBLESHOOTING section in the back of this manual.

4. Adjust Total Alkalinity (TA) to 125 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) to 150 ppm, then spa water pH to between 7.4 and 7.6. These procedures are listed in the “Water Quality and Maintenance” section.

IMPORTANT: Add spa water chemicals directly into the filter compartment with the jet pump on high speed for at least ten minutes.

OPERATION NOTE: Adjusting the Total Alkalinity as the first step is important, as out-of balance TA will affect your ability to adjust the pH correctly and will prevent the sanitizer from operating effectively.

5. Superchlorinate the spa water by adding 1-1/2 teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons of spa water. The jet pump should be running on high speed when adding the chlorine, and remain on high to circulate the spa water for a ten-minute period.

6. Set the temperature control to the desired temperature (between 100°F and 104°F), then place the thermal cover on the spa and allow the water temperature to stabilize (approximately 24 hours). Make sure you secure the cover in place using the cover locks. Periodically check the spa water temperature. When the water temperature climbs above 90°F, proceed to the next step.

7. Press the Jets button twice (three times for Mallorca) and run the pump on high for 10 minutes to circulate the spa water. After the filter cycle is complete, test the spa water for Free Available Chlorine (FAC) residual. If the residual is between 3 and 5 ppm on the test strips (found in most chemical test kit) go on to the next step. If the residual is less than 3 ppm, superchlorinate the spa water by adding 1-1/2 teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons of spa water, while the jet pump is running on high. Run the jet pump on high to circulate the spa water for a ten-minute period.

8. Recheck the Total Alkalinity (TA) at 125 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) at 150 ppm, then spa water pH at between 7.4 and 7.6.

OPERATION NOTE: Make sure you adjust your Total Alkalinity first, as an out-of-balance condition will affect your ability to adjust the pH correctly, and will prevent the sanitizer from operating effectively. The spa is ready for use when the spa water has circulated and thechlorine level remains between 3 ppm and 5 ppm.

11. The spa temperature is pre-programmed to reach 102F, and will normally do so within 18 to 24 hours. You may raise the water temperature by pressing the Temp Plus (+) button on the control panel, or lower it by pressing Temp Minus (–) button. After a few hours, the water temperature will remain within 3°F of your selected temperature.

OPERATION NOTES:
1. Your spa is equipped with a ten-minute timer delay on the heating/maintenance mode. Whenever the jet pump has been turned off (and a three-degree temperature drop has occurred) or the temperature control has been turned up, it will take ten minutes before the low speed of the jet pump and heater become activated. Always push the JETS button to turn off the jet pump when exiting the spa. In the standard 115 volt, 15 or 20 amp electrical configuration, the heating system does not operate simultaneously with the high speed pump. On the other hand, on the 230 volt system, the heating system does operate simultaneously with the high speed pump.

2. The spa controller has an automatic one-hour “time-out” feature should the high speed jet mode be left on inadvertently. After one hour of continuous operation, the controller will automatically return to the maintenance/heating mode.

3. The spa controller also has a six-hour “time-out” feature should the light be left on inadvertently. After six hours of continuous operation, the controller will automatically turn the light off.