Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: sergey on October 26, 2015, 07:15:00 pm

Title: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on October 26, 2015, 07:15:00 pm
Hello All.
I was at a Cottage Show recently ans was introduced with a Spa Boy from Arctic Spa ...
Does anyone has it ? Use it ? Is it accurate ? Worth it ? :)
Salt System + SpaBoy should allow to maintain spa very easy .. Is it like that ?
Thank you !!

Some info from a dealer:
Spa Boy does monitor your spa for Ph and Sanitizer.
It will turn your salt system on if your sanitizer gets low.
It will alert you to your Ph level.  It does not adjust your Ph level. 
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: av8r on October 26, 2015, 07:26:57 pm
Looks neat, but why add all the complexity?

Also, salt systems seem to have a reputation for corroding components.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ken046rHXyM
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on October 26, 2015, 07:41:26 pm
Yes I know :) salt is corroding all but not dramatically - very manageable level.
But this Spa Boy allows me to do not maintain spa for for 3 month in a row (theoretically)
I have a cottage and rent it out and thinking about installation hot tub - so I can monitor it remotely and make sure the chlorine and ph level are good.
The question is - Where are the underwater stones :) I do not see any alternative and no reviews about the system so far ...
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: av8r on October 26, 2015, 10:27:53 pm
Yes I know :) salt is corroding all but not dramatically - very manageable level.
But this Spa Boy allows me to do not maintain spa for for 3 month in a row (theoretically)
I have a cottage and rent it out and thinking about installation hot tub - so I can monitor it remotely and make sure the chlorine and ph level are good.
The question is - Where are the underwater stones :) I do not see any alternative and no reviews about the system so far ...

It's likely you'll get to beta test the system for them.  Seems like stuff like this on spas is never ready for prime time.  The wifi setup on my new spa is terrible.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on October 27, 2015, 11:13:16 am
Very possible ....
I see no info - no-оne has it... Do not think Wi Fi is an issue , PH reader probably is .. Have not seen any working yet.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: av8r on October 27, 2015, 11:54:31 am
Very possible ....
I see no info - no-оne has it... Do not think Wi Fi is an issue

Don't be so sure.  Tub manufacturers buy stuff like wifi modules from only a few vendors.  If they don't work right for one, they're not going to work right for others.  Inexcusable today when wifi is so ubiquitous and simple to implement.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on October 27, 2015, 02:24:48 pm
Even if WiFi does not work , the system should balance PH and Sanitizer level automatically ... without my supervision
Exxx ... Anyone who has it can comment ? No one yet?
Maybe a dealer can add something? Thank you !
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hottubguy on October 27, 2015, 08:22:56 pm
Very possible ....
I see no info - no-оne has it... Do not think Wi Fi is an issue

Don't be so sure.  Tub manufacturers buy stuff like wifi modules from only a few vendors.  If they don't work right for one, they're not going to work right for others.  Inexcusable today when wifi is so ubiquitous and simple to implement.

What kind of tub avr8?  My customers haven't had any issue with the wifi. The ones that have were setup improperly. Marquis uses the balboa app and it works pretty good. The reviews in it online suck but I'd be willing to bet that it just. Wasn't setup properly in the first place
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: av8r on October 27, 2015, 09:09:53 pm
Very possible ....
I see no info - no-оne has it... Do not think Wi Fi is an issue

Don't be so sure.  Tub manufacturers buy stuff like wifi modules from only a few vendors.  If they don't work right for one, they're not going to work right for others.  Inexcusable today when wifi is so ubiquitous and simple to implement.

What kind of tub avr8?  My customers haven't had any issue with the wifi. The ones that have were setup improperly. Marquis uses the balboa app and it works pretty good. The reviews in it online suck but I'd be willing to bet that it just. Wasn't setup properly in the first place

Bullfrog so it's the Balboa stuff.  I've run a 50,000 node enterprise network at a university for 20 years so I've got a pretty good handle on setting up wireless network stuff.  I've called Balboa support and they were not particularly helpful.  I can connect to the tub directly from the app, but it will not connect to either of my home wireless networks (doesn't even see them even though the tub is 10' LOS from both wireless APs)  Additionally, the app disconnects from the tub frequently.  Since last Friday when i turned it on I've had to reboot the wifi module or the tub 5 times so far to get it to connect to my devices directly.

Seems like my experience is pretty close to what the iOS and Droid OS store reviews relate.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Vinny on October 27, 2015, 09:18:25 pm
As far as being on Autopilot ... I would think it's not what it's cracked up to be. I think it gives a false sense of security that a "computer" is correcting everything. Does the system check for alkalinity and bump or lower it for changing water conditions, what happens when your water isn't behaving the way it's supposed to be? I think there are too many variables.

For Wifi, it's possible to have crappy reception outside and inside a house, same holds true with  all wireless technology. Things that come into play - how far away you are from the router, what obstructions are in the way, is the house aluminum sided ...

I have personally been on a cell phone and have gone from crappy reception to decent reception just by moving a couple of feet.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on October 28, 2015, 09:57:58 am
"being on Autopilot" - I know that maintenance still required.
The system shows that PH level or Sanitazer level are not good and if it does not correct it for a while I assume that other parameters Are not good - So i know that I need to send someone to check it .. This is how I see that ..
The more I reading about salt water hot tubs the more I think that is is a bad idea in general ... too expensive to replace broken parts .. or sensors or ONZONE parts ...
Looks like Hot Tubs are still in need of good engendering help :-)
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: BullFrogSpasMN on October 29, 2015, 01:24:17 pm
Looks neat, but why add all the complexity?

Also, salt systems seem to have a reputation for corroding components.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ken046rHXyM


Do you have direct experience with this? or is this something you read on a forum? I am genuinely curious

Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on October 29, 2015, 03:24:53 pm
I think that is it clear that salt systems will corrode more that just water+bromine or so (if nothing special done to a hot tub)
Any element of a hot tub will live less in salt water than in bromine water.
Maybe they use ceramic heater elements or ceramic pump elements ... but I do not think so .. Most likely they do not bother :)
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on November 03, 2015, 02:48:23 pm
Found another automatic solution :
http://www.shop.controlomatic.com/PoolWarden-Single-Pool-Water-Chemistry-Controller-PoolWarden-S.htm

It is for pools but might work for a spa ... Also there is no need to use salt. Could be just chlorine +PH level control ...
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on December 22, 2015, 04:45:31 pm
Is there any Arctic Spa Dealers here to ask a questions about that Spa Boy ? or maybe owners of the system ?
Thanks !
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Quickbeam on December 22, 2015, 06:07:21 pm
Water Boy is a pretty regular poster here and I believe he is an Arctic dealer. If he doesn't see your post you could always send him a PM.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on December 30, 2015, 11:14:55 am
I am an Arctic Spa Dealer as well for over 16 years now.  We do sell Spa Boy.  I have one at my house as well.  It does monitor your spa for Ph and Sanitizer.  It will turn your salt system on if your sanitizer gets low.  It will alert you to your Ph level.  It does not adjust your Ph level.  Now as far as WiFi it does come with a link to your router.  Now WiFi does go in and out at your home it will then go in and out on your spa.  However if you can run an ethernet cable to your spa that is a better method. 
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on December 30, 2015, 01:28:55 pm
Thank you for the info! Appreciate it. I was thinking that it regulate PH too ... A bit disappointed. PH down pump would be a good addition.
So the main advantage is that SpaBoy increase or decrease bromine level automatically? Am I Right ?
I did not see this feature anywhere else so far ...
How does the system check bromine level ? I did not see a probe on the Arctic Spa website. Just PH probe.
Thank you !
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on December 30, 2015, 01:34:01 pm
Hot Tub Guru, How long do you have this system at home ? (I mean salt system)
I am just trying to understand how long would a pump and a heater work in salty water. Will they still work 5+ years?
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on December 30, 2015, 09:25:09 pm
I'm hoping that Ph regulation comes out in the future.  Yes Spa Boy will increase the sodium chloride level.  It won't decrease it, the system just doesn't run so naturally it will decrease.  There is a Ph and sodium chloride probe that is one probe that tests the water. 

The SpaBoy is just our Onzen system taken to a new level.  We have been selling salt systems for 5 or 6 years now.  I can't remember when it first came out.  As far as equipment lasting we haven't seen a decrease in how long the components last. 
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on January 04, 2016, 08:58:10 am
Thanks ! So it is Chlorine Salt System ? not Bromine ?
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on January 04, 2016, 03:08:29 pm
You can use Sodium Bromide but the Sodium Chloride works way better with the SpaBoy system. 
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on January 04, 2016, 03:11:59 pm
And the Arctic Spa Boy Probe(sensor) still be able to read the level of sanitizer ?
I thought that Bromine works better in hot water ... more stable .. I could be wrong ...
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on June 28, 2016, 03:43:00 pm
It was a while ago ...
Is there anyone here who has "Spa Boy" to share your experience?
Thank you !!!
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on July 10, 2016, 04:42:09 pm
We have been selling LOTS of Spa Boy systems.  We have been selling our Onzen system for over 8 years.  The Spa Boy is just a little more advanced then our Onzen system.  Works Great!  It's best to have your tub hooked to the internet via an ethernet cable rather then the WiFi module if your able.  As hard wire is always better then wireless. 
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: spavatar88 on May 17, 2019, 03:20:50 pm
Hi Sergey,

Here is a link to the reviews of actual clients we have using SpaBoy.   https://www.google.com/search?q=hot%20tubs&rlz=1C5CHFA_enCA847CA847&oq=hot+tubs&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i61j0l4.1371j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=48780682,-123703936,520&tbm=lcl&rldimm=29613668449583563&phdesc=kLidXM7O2Lk&ved=2ahUKEwjI8ZeZn6PiAhUVHzQIHQu3AlkQvS4wAHoECAsQIg&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10#lrd=0x548f4f66f0a55555:0x6935797c6f01cb,1,,,&rlfi=hd:;si:29613668449583563,y,kLidXM7O2Lk;mv:!1m2!1d49.304292399999994!2d-122.78508919999999!2m2!1d48.342377899999995!2d-124.10667540000001!3m12!1m3!1d465824.22574261023!2d-123.4458823!3d48.82333514999999!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i482!2i532!4f13.1;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10

I get that people don't really give much credence to what a dealer might say, but the above is what clients think. 

you had a couple of questions: 

1. Regarding automatic pH control. We agree that if SpaBoy adjusted the pH for you that it would be amazing and have been researching ways to do this from the get go.  There are some challenges with having a vessel filled with acid somewhere under the spa, (in fact, we have been testing pH feeding systems and the current generators have this ability already onboard, but we want this to be rock solid before releasing.) Stay tuned as this is the direction we are heading and rest assured, whatever solution we come up with will be backward compatible, so all Arctics with SpaBoy will be able to add it. 
2. Bromine is not allowable in in salt water generator systems in Canada, and as other posters have noted NaCl works better. 
3. As for corrosion, the salt concentrations used with SpaBoy are saline, about 0.8%, same as the human body, NOT ocean water with 20 times or more salt concentration, so far less corrosive than you might think.  In fact, look at the bottles of tradition chlorine or bromine and you will see on the label the skeletal hand immersed in a buck of chemicals indicating that those are very corrosive.  I have seen far more damage caused by chemicals then I have ever seen with SpaBoy systems.  SpaBoy manages the water in micro-doses, providing just the right amount of sanitizer, at levels far lower than in a traditional hot tub, because it is monitored.  With a traditional set up, we have to assume that clients will forget and keep the levels higher.  Further, when they do test they often make macro adjustments, particularly when they find the tub looking suspect because they forgot and now are playing catch up.  in these cases, they often over do it, and that is corrosive.  We use a sacrificial anode to reduce water corrosiveness and the electrode is designed to be replaced, like your filter, about once a year, which is really the only thing that is subject to failure due to water chemistry over time with the SpaBoy system.

Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Sebastien on June 23, 2019, 02:52:58 pm
Hi, i know it’s an old post but i think it’s bettre of a new post.

Do you have information about spaboy in canada ? Bécasse Canada will stop salt system and if spaboy not affected with that do you know if spaboy can make problem with healty?

Thanks
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on June 24, 2019, 04:50:29 pm
Spa Boy is allowed to be sold in Canada!
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Spatech_tuo on June 24, 2019, 06:04:11 pm
Spa Boy is allowed to be sold in Canada!

What Marketing genius came up with the name "Spa Boy"?
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: BullFrogSpasMN on June 24, 2019, 07:53:51 pm
Spa Boy is allowed to be sold in Canada!

What Marketing genius came up with the name "Spa Boy"?

probably the same company Hot Springs hired to come up with the name 'Freshwater Saltwater System'  ??? ???
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Sebastien on June 24, 2019, 08:30:19 pm
Spa Boy is allowed to be sold in Canada!

Thanks for your comment, do you know why spaboy will allowed to be sold?
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on June 28, 2019, 12:05:45 am
I don't know the specifics as I'm a US dealer.  I did get a memo from Arctic saying it is allowed to be sold in Canada this memo was sent out last week.  I'm sure one of the dealers up there in Canada has the specifics.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on August 19, 2019, 11:11:09 am
Thank you everyone for the input !

Spa Boy is chlorine (chloride) based system - allowed in Canada
Some other like Hydropool are Bromine (Bromide) based systems and are not allows in Canada anymore.
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: sergey on August 19, 2019, 11:15:09 am
One more related question :
The probe (to test PH and ORP) should last for about 2 years and than we need to replace it.
The question is : Why to replace - Why not to calibrate ? probes should last longer - Am I wrong ?
I have not found a calibration function on Arctic Spa website ...
Title: Re: Arctic Spa (Spa Boy) - Anyone has?
Post by: Hot Tub Guru on August 23, 2019, 05:14:43 pm
We have replaced very few probes in the time that we have been selling Spa Boy typically these ones that have been replaced are because a customer is ALMOST NEVER watching their water and their probe gets ruined.  The probes can't be calibrated as far as I know.