Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company Balboa Controls from 1995 - 2001

The Saratoga Spa Trouble Shooting Guide is a tool designed to help the Dealer effectively diagnose a spa problem over the phone. The guide is characterized in separate sections to help the Dealer distinguish the problem through a series of questions. Proper phone screening of service calls will increase the Dealers profitability, improve customer service and eliminate call-backs. The guide was created to assist service and store personnel to effectively diagnose spa problems over the phone, your first line of communication with a potentially unsatisfied customer. The guide will help the Dealer to narrow down the problem, possibly eliminate the service call, gather information needed for a warranty claim and appropriately prepare for a service call if needed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 6-2 Page 6-3 Page 6-4 Page 6-5 Page 6-6 Page 6-8 Customer Information Control Trouble Shooting Leaking Trouble Shooting Shell & Cabinet Trouble Shooting Topside Self Diagnostic Guide SAR200 Symbol Descriptions and Explanations Water Chemistry Guide Trouble Shooting Basics

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

Customer Information:
Customer Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Type of Spa: Serial Number: Date of Manufacture: ESTABLISH IF THE SPA IS RUNNING: Spa Pack ................................... Fuse & Breaker Topside Self Diagnostic Symbols: OH SN1 SN3 FLO FLASHING/FLO ICE SSET Pumps Functioning..................... YES Blower Functioning .................... YES Laing Circulation Functioning ...... YES Ozone Functioning ..................... YES Electrical Wired by 220/30AMP Electrician NO NO NO NO 220/50AMP Homeowner Date:

Gauge Wire Used:________________________________________________ Other Control Problem or Symptom:

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

LEAKING
SPA SHELL:
Blisters Cracks Sun Damage Was spa left outside empty? Location Location Location

INTERNAL PLUMBING
Location (Facing the spa controls) Left side Right side Front Rear

EQUIPMENT AREA
Was spa just delivered? Was spa just drained & refilled? Are all internal unions tight? Is the drain bib closed properly? YES YES YES YES NO NO NO NO

IDENTIFY EQUIPMENT AREA SOURCE

Laing Circulation Pump Hydro Pump or Pumps Heater Plumbing

MISCELLANEOUS
Is the cover properly attached creating a vacuum? Other: YES NO

Note: Water level below highest jet, spa will drain itself.

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

SHELL & CABINETRY WOOD SKIRT
Scratches Gouges Broken Boards Stain

WOOD FRAME
Broken Chipped Paint

PLASTIC BOTTOM
Broken Disconnected

FEATURE TRIM
Scratched Gouged Broken

SHELL
Crack Blistered Scratched Flawed Sheet

FIXTURES
Jets Pillows Filter Cover Other: Was spa just delivered? Was spa just received from Saratoga? YES YES NO NO Page 4
Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Will Not : Spin

Remove

Function

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

TOPSIDE SELF DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
OH: If water temperature is above 112F the unit will automatically trip the internal high heat safety limit switch. The panel will display OH. The customer should turn off all power to the spa and they should not enter the water. FLO: When the symbol FLO is flashing alternately with the temperature, the following problems may exist: The filters may be plugged. Remove and clean filters. The amount of water flow may be inadequate. Make sure the water level is correct in the spa. The flow switch may have malfunctioned. The spa will continue to operate and the heater will not activate. If the panel is constantly displaying FLO, the flow switch has malfunctioned and the spa will shut down. ICE: The display showing ICE indicates a freeze protection situation. If the high limit detects a temperature at or below 40F, the pumps and blower will run automatically and circulate the water. When the water temperature reaches 45F, the pumps and blower will turn off. The process is completely automatic. No corrective measure is necessary unless the heater is not functioning. SN1: The high limit sensor is nonfunctional and must be replaced. SN3: SSET: The water temperature sensor is nonfunctional and must be replaced.

The display flashing SSET represents the spa going into the summer setting mode. This is a totally automated process that reduces heat buildup in the spa. See Owners Manual for complete details.

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

WATER CHEMISTRY GUIDE
Balanced water is a critical element in the function of a spa. All operational features and warranty repairs are linked to proper water chemistry. Following is a basic water chemistry guide. BALANCED WATER
Balanced water is obtained by correctly adjusting a few chemical components: the pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness.

PH

The indication of whether the water is acidic or basic. It is measured on a scale of 0 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is basic. The ideal range is 7.0 7.8

0-------------------------------------------------7----------------------------------------------------14 Acidic Basic Problems or Symptoms: pH too low can 1. corrode metal surfaces 2. use excess sanitizer 3. irritate bathers skin and eyes pH too high can 1. deposit scale on surfaces 2. contribute to cloudy water 3. cause eye irritation 4. reduce sanitizer efficiency TOTAL ALKALINITY
The measurement of the alkaline materials (minerals) in your spas water that act as a buffering agent. Correct alkalinity will keep the waters pH consistent and easily adjustable. The recommended range for Total Alkalinity is 80 120ppm (parts per million).

Potential Problems: 1. PH difficult to maintain 2. PH drift if total alkalinity is too low 3. Corrosive tendencies if pH is too high 4. PH is difficult to adjust (remains fixed) 5. Cloudy water 6. Potential for scaling 7. High pH results in low sanitizer efficiency Page 6
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Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

WATER CHEMISTRY GUIDE (contd)
CALCIUM HARDNESS The measurement of the amount of dissolved calcium in the spas water. Too little calcium will etch plaster surfaces. Too much will leave deposits on equipment. The recommended range for calcium hardness is 200ppm. Potential problems Calcium Hardness too low: 1. Some surfaces may be etched. 2. May lead to equipment corrosion. Calcium Hardness too high: 1. May contribute to cloudy water 2. Scaling surface, piping and equipment

ADJUSTMENTS
Calcium Hardness Raise hardness by the addition of Calcium Chloride. Decrease hardness by draining the spa and replace with water with lower levels of calcium hardness. PH Can be adjusted by using pH Increaser or pH Decreaser at the chemical manufacturers recommended dosage. Total Alkalinity-Can be raised by using Alkalinity Increaser at the chemical manufacturers recommended dosage.

WATER CHEMISTRY POLICY:

The Saratoga Spa Company reserves the right to deny any warranty claim on the basis of improper water chemistry. This guide represents only the basic information on water chemistry to help trouble shoot spa problems. Saratoga Spa Company recommends that all of its Dealers employ the following policies: 1. Operate a water test lab for customers 2. Properly train employees on spa water chemistry 3. Offer spa demo to customers and include water chemistry training in the demo 4. Carry a complete line of spa chemicals

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

GENERAL PROCEDURES SPA DOES NOT OPERATE:
NO DISPLAY ON TOPSIDE:

1. Check main power to spa 2. Check GFCI 3. Check system fuses

POOR WATER FLOW: 24

HOUR CIRCULATION PUMP

1. Whisper Clean filter may be plugged 2. Check water level in spa (minimum of 2 above cartridge) 3. Circulation pump may be clogged with debris Note: On initial fill circulation pump may be airbound (check Owners Manual for filling requirements)

SPA SHUTS DOWN DURING OPERATION

1. Check topside for fault message 2. Check GFCI breaker (Note: To isolate defective component it will be necessary to unplug each component at right hand side of control box) 3. Check system fuse

SPA PUMP SURGES:

1. Check water level. Fill if necessary 2. Check filter cartridges (they may be dirty or clogged)

WEAK JET ACTION:

1. Check and clean filter cartridges 2. Jet inserts are not completely installed Note: on initial fill or refill jet pump(s) may be airbound (check Owners Manual for filling requirements).

WATER FLOW BUT NO HEAT

1. Initial fill spa takes 12 to 24 hours to heat 2. Check spa cover; be sure it is properly installed 3. Check water level, fill if necessary 4. Check topside for self diagnostic icon. 5. Check circulation for proper operation Note: on initial full circulation pump may be airbound (check Owners Manual for filling requirements).

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001

Trouble Shooting Guide Saratoga Spa Company

GENERAL PROCEDURES (contd) WATER DOES NOT CLEAR UP:
1. Check water chemistry. Balance water. 2. Clean filter cartridges 3. Check chemical sanitizer level. Shock if needed. 4. Check Ozone Generator for proper operation 5. Refer to Water Chemistry Guide or Owners Manual. Note: spa may be chemically saturated. If so, remove existing water and refill with new water.

CONTROL PANEL DOES NOT OPERATE:

1. Check panel for lock feature 2. Lock feature symbols are LOCP for Panel Lock, LOCF for Full Lock and ULOC for when Unlocked. 3. Refer to Owners Manual for locking and unlocking procedures.

SEE THE SARATOGA SPA OWNERS MANUAL FOR INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
Safety Instructions Electrical Requirements Topside Features Hydrotherapy System Filter Maintenance Spa Cover Care Draining the Spa Water Care Installation Instructions Start Up Procedures Operation Instructions Cartridge Installation Spa Light Replacement Wood Skirt Care Winterizing the Spa Wiring Diagram

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Balboa Controls 1995-2001