Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: kered on May 30, 2009, 02:00:18 am

Title: Popping the Breaker
Post by: kered on May 30, 2009, 02:00:18 am

I have a 2002 Down East Portsmouth. When I turn on the GFI breaker, it just pops immediately. It had been working fine.I tried unplugging all the motor plugs, etc. from the spa control box and it still just pops. I opened the spa control box and there are 4 fuses and they were all good. I've checked my ground and that is good. Any ideas? Thanks.

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on May 30, 2009, 09:18:49 am

Bad heater element, water in the ozonator, water in the blower, bad GFCI...likelihood pretty much in the order

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: Swell-Tub on May 30, 2009, 10:31:14 am

Like Dr Spa posted. Unplug the Ozonator. It is easy for the check valves to let water in it and then breaker trips.

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: kered on May 30, 2009, 01:05:50 pm

The ozinator is one of the things that I unplugged when I tried unplugging everything from the control panel so that's not it. Is there a way to test the heater? Thanks.

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on May 30, 2009, 01:55:15 pm

Quote

The ozinator is one of the things that I unplugged when I tried unplugging everything from the control panel so that's not it. Is there a way to test the heater? Thanks.

 You can unhook the 2 leads going to the element, hit power to the tub, if it trips its probably not the heater, if it doesn't trip turn power off hook heater back up, hit power again.  If it trips their is a really good chance its the element.

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: kered on May 30, 2009, 06:03:53 pm

Ok, I feel pretty dumb. I knew to try unplugging everything to see if it was causing the problem but didn't think about disconnecting the heater - I guess just cause it didn't have wires but metal terminals instead.

It turns out that that is the problem. Looks like it's a Balboa 825 M7 / 58010 - 15" 5.5 kw. Now I see it looks like I might be able to replace just the heating element or the whole heater. What's the way to go with this model?

And any recommended online parts dealers?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: Steve on May 30, 2009, 06:38:14 pm

All you need is 5.5kw element. You can pick that up anywhere as they're not brand specific and by the sounds of it, install it yourself without an issue!

Steve

Check here: http://www.rhtubs.com/store/elements.htm

Title: Re: Popping the Breaker
Post by: kered on May 31, 2009, 05:52:21 pm

Ok, one last question. The tub is 7 years old so how long do the sensors last? Not sure which model I would need but looks like they can get expensive. If it would be good to replace them, then I'd probably just go with the whole heater assembly with the sensors.

Thanks alot everyone. Really appreciate the responses!