Watkins MAL, LAP, SOR, TRI General Operation Troubleshooting Guide, Page, Service Information

TROUBLESHOOTING

Watkins Manufacturing Corporation strives to provide the most trouble-free spas on the market. Should you experience any problem whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact your authorized Hot Spot® Spa Dealer. Here are some tips to help you to diagnose and rectify some more common sources of trouble yourself, if you choose to do so.

GENERAL OPERATION TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Problem		Probable causes		Solutions
Entire spa is inoperative		•	Power failure / not plugged in	•	Check power source
		•	GFCI tripped	• Reset GFCI; call for service if it will not reset.
		• Heater high-limit thermostat tripped		• Disconnect power for at least thirty seconds to reset heater high-limit. If it
					will not reset, check for clogged filter. If tripping continues, call for service.
Spa jets and heat off,		•	Pressure switch is open and should be	• Check for clogged filter. The pressure switch will reset when the flow of
light operates	_ . _ . _ . _		closed.		water through the heater has been restored. Call for service if the pressure
(Display reads					switch trips frequently.
	_ . _ . _ . _ )
(Display reads	_ _ _ _	•	Pressure switch senses flow through heater	• Contact an Authorized Service Technician
	_ _ _ _ )
			even though the jet pump is off
READY icon flashes		•	Control Sensor open or shorted	• Contact an Authorized Service Technician
Jets weak or surging		•	Spa water level too low	•	Add water
		• Filters clogged / Jet intake screens clogged		• Clean filters / Clean jet intake screens
		• Jet nozzles closed / Air valve closed		• Open jet nozzles / Open air valve
Light inoperative		•	Spa lock activated	•	Deactivate spa lock
		• Light wiring or assembly is faulty		•	Replace light assembly
Display reads - - - -		•	Heater high-limit thermostat tripped	• Disconnect power to the spa for at least thirty seconds to reset the heater
(Entire spa inoperative)					high-limit. If tripping continues, clean the filter, then if tripping still occurs,
					call for service.
Set water temperature		•	System Controls	• Contact an Authorized Service Technician
significantly different from
display temperature
			SPA WATER MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Problem		Probable causes		Solutions
Cloudy Water		•	Dirty filters	•	Clean filters
		• Excessive oils / organic matter		• Shock spa with sanitizer
		•	Improper sanitization	•	Add sanitizer
		• Suspended particles / organic matter		• Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended range
		• Overused or old water		• Run jet pump and clean filter
				• Drain and refill the spa
Water Odor		•	Excessive organics in water	• Shock spa with sanitizer
		•	Improper sanitization	•	Add sanitizer
		•	Low pH	• Adjust pH to recommended range
Chlorine Odor		•	Chloramine level too high	• Shock spa with sanitizer
		•	Low pH	• Adjust pH to recommended range
Musty Odor		•	Bacteria or algae growth	•	Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean,
					and refill the spa
Organic buildup /		•	Build-up of oils and dirt	• Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe, drain the spa, use a spa surface
scum ring around spa					and tile cleaner to remove the scum and refill the spa
Algae Growth		•	High pH	• Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH
		•	Low sanitizer level	• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
Eye Irritation		•	Low pH	•	Adjust pH
		•	Low sanitizer level	• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
Skin Irritation / Rash		•	Unsanitary water	• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level
		• Free chlorine level above 5 ppm		• Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
Stains		•	Total alkalinity and/or pH too low	• Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH
		• High iron or copper in source water		• Use a metal deposit inhibitor
Scale		•	High calcium content in water – total	• Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale requires removal, drain the spa,
			alkalinity and pH too high		scrub off the scale, refill the spa and balance the water

Page 34 Service Information