Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: suzieq on October 25, 2004, 08:48:24 pm

Title: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 25, 2004, 08:48:24 pm
Does anyone know anything about this spa? (The Dove Canyon by Artesian) My husband and I are considering this model in their Platinum Class of tubs.

The "local" dealer is 1 1/2 hours away so could be a problem for service etc...

Also, any idea what I should expect to pay in New England? (Southern Vermont)

Thanks.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: bulmer4nc on October 25, 2004, 08:54:27 pm
We were very close to buying a Piper Glen wich is pretty much the same Spa but without the lounger.  The best price we had was $8700 and that included cover lifter, steps, and 2 years worth of chemicals.  We ended up with a Sundance mostly because it was over $1000 cheaper and a few other things.   If the price were the same between them we may have gotten the Artesian.  Functionally we really liked that each seat had it's own control and they were variable speed pumps.  Let us know what you end up deciding.  Have you looked at any other manufacturers in your area?
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 25, 2004, 09:01:34 pm
We have looked at the Sundance models and the Dimension 1 models. They were "listing" at $8300 and $8600 respectively. That was for a Cameo (Sundance)and a Chairman or Diplomat (D-1).

All are nice tubs. We actually went and looked at the other 2 but not the Artesian yet. I guess we don't want to drive the hour and a half to find out that it is $10K which is out of our ballpark.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 25, 2004, 09:22:03 pm
The Artesian Dove Canyon is a very high end hot tub.  The unique thing that their platinum class offers is that every seat has it's own jet pump which allows a great deal of personal control.  In my opinion it is an unshoppable feature.  My suggestion, as always, is to test soak.  If the cost of the Dove Canyon turns out to be too much, you can go to the Onyx which is much less $$$ and the same type of jets.  The diff being you have one jet pump for every two seats.  good luck
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: stuart on October 25, 2004, 09:35:55 pm
Quote
The Artesian Dove Canyon is a very high end hot tub.  The unique thing that their platinum class offers is that every seat has it's own jet pump which allows a great deal of personal control.  In my opinion it is an unshoppable feature.  My suggestion, as always, is to test soak.  If the cost of the Dove Canyon turns out to be too much, you can go to the Onyx which is much less $$$ and the same type of jets.  The diff being you have one jet pump for every two seats.  good luck

So including the circ pump it has 6 pumps? :o What size breaker/service would you need to run that on? ???
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 25, 2004, 09:36:10 pm
Ok, Thanks. It sounds like this is a very good tub.

Any idea on what we can expect to pay? We sent an email to the dealer but haven't heard back yet.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: Vinny on October 25, 2004, 10:02:34 pm
Apparently all the Artesian lines work on 50 Amp max.

The Platinum series uses 3 HP motors for each seat and a circ pump.  At least that's what my dealer told me!

Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 25, 2004, 10:04:47 pm
They use 5 3-hp ( uprated) jet pumps and 1 circ pump.  50 amp.  It's pretty cool.  Each seat has its own control pad next to it.  Initially we thought it would be overwhelming but it is a very comfortable spa to soak in.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 25, 2004, 10:06:32 pm
OK Vinny, You & Windsurf have got to start letting me have my own thoughts.    :'(
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: stuart on October 25, 2004, 10:34:02 pm
Quote
They use 5 3-hp ( uprated) jet pumps and 1 circ pump.  50 amp.  It's pretty cool.  Each seat has its own control pad next to it.  Initially we thought it would be overwhelming but it is a very comfortable spa to soak in.

??? ??? ??? ??? ???

OK, now I'm confused!? Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the math is about 4 amps for every one HP, this would mean that you would need 60 amps before the heater, circ pump, lights, ozone or anything else. The heater will draw around 20 amps so now we're at 80 amps. Your breaker needs to be oversized by (I believe)25% more than the draw. That's well over 100 amps! Even if you "up rate" the pumps double what they really are you’d still be pushing it to use a 50 amp breaker?

More than likely they shut down the heater when the jets are on high which, with 5 pumps, would cool the water at an incredible rate. In addition to this you would have to "bypass" several of the pumps from the filter system allowing hair, debris and bacteria to gather within the pump head and impellor.

Don't take me wrong, I looked at the spa on line and am actually intrigued by it but am try to make some sense of how and why they do this. I think I would love the "marketability" of that spa but from a technical aspect would have to question the logic.

To me it would be like having a 4WD vehicle and putting a motor over every wheel, how would you justify the cost of owning and operating this?
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: Vinny on October 25, 2004, 10:47:00 pm
I ain't saying a word!!!

I'll leave that up to salesdvl.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 25, 2004, 10:47:32 pm
I can't debate the amp/ hp formula.  I know they use the uprated hp rating system which means they are really 1.5's or so.  (each seat has about 10 jets)   They use GE motors that are "switchless" and they say they draw much less amperage than traditional motors.  So that would make them using 5 1.5 HP motors...does the math work out?    I can't type and use my abacus at the same time.    ???
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: stuart on October 25, 2004, 10:56:32 pm
If you throw the heater, the circ pump, lights and everything else into the mix, it still doesn't work. The issue of the pumps all "bypassing" would add to the cost of ownership also just for maintenance. I know that Master Spa had a similar set up when I sold them and the operational costs were astronomical!

I've been setting here thinking about this for over a hour since I first pulled up the website and honestly cannot see any reason for doing it the way they do other than marketing. You could accomplish the same thing with less pumps, more water flow and less potential for component failure but, as I said before, I’m intrigued so I have to go look at these at the show.....
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 25, 2004, 10:58:47 pm
Sounds like a plan
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 25, 2004, 11:19:29 pm
What show are you talking about?
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: stuart on October 25, 2004, 11:20:45 pm
Quote
What show are you talking about?

One of our 2 biggest trade shows of the year is in Vegas in 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: Drewski on October 26, 2004, 12:21:05 am
Hi All:

You’re doing the electrical load calculations wrong.  Peak amperage is only encountered at start-up.  Operating amperage is much lower.  Start-up sequencing on the tub is adjusted to accommodate this.

For a good review of the platinum class, I suggest you read Northman’s review on the Artesian web site:

http://www.artesianspas.com/feedback/index.asp?scid=16&cid=1

Drewski

8)
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 26, 2004, 02:48:24 pm
Ok, Drewski.......so do you mind me asking about how much you paid for your Piper? I know you bought it in 1999, but I am just looking for a ballpark number.

Thanks......
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 26, 2004, 03:03:18 pm
I'll answer in current $$ if you want.  A Piper Glen or Dove Canyon with ozone, cover & lifter, step, chem kit, del should be somewhere around $9000.  Stereo and LED lighting is optional.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 26, 2004, 03:19:01 pm
Thank you.........Do you sell these tubs?
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 26, 2004, 03:30:44 pm
yes.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: suzieq on October 26, 2004, 03:58:15 pm
Is it safe for me to assume that you are NOT located in the New England area?

;D
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: salesdvl on October 26, 2004, 04:39:23 pm
Neither New nor Old England.  I'm in the Chicago area.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: boston_tubby on November 09, 2004, 01:42:29 pm
I actually just had a Dove Canyon delivered to me in Boston last Wednesday.  The footjets induce an almost euphoric state when set on max.  The rest of the spa is pretty nice, too.  ;)

I had to haggle a bit to get a good price.  One dealer with locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire wanted over $10K for a Dove Canyon with steps, lifter, chemicals and lights.  They were willing to go down to more like $9300, but I wound up going with a dealer in Rhode Island who charged $8900 for the same package but with less impressive lights.  (Artesian has this one high-end light system that lights not only the water but also the pillows.  I went with something more like the Hotspring systems that just lights the water.  Eight or so colors.)  My guess is, if I had known about the lower-end light package, the dealer in MA/NH would have offered a comparable price.  Another dealer in northern Mass. offered $8950 but would have had to charge for delivery.
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: Drewski on November 09, 2004, 01:46:14 pm
Hi Suzieq:

Any update?  Have you wet tested the tub yet?

Drewski

8)
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: Gman on November 09, 2004, 06:09:46 pm
Boston Tubby,

I just sent you a PM -- looking for some info on the dealerships that you visited. :)

Thanks
Title: Re: Artesian Dove Canyon
Post by: SpaAngel on November 09, 2004, 11:51:19 pm
Hi, SuzieQ!  Just want to say don't make a decision until you do actually wet test the Piper Glen.  We've had ours a little over 5 months now and could not be happier!!!  We paid about $8,600 for ours (including steps/ozone/cover lifter/lights, etc.).  Nothing compares  to being able to control each seat independent of the other seats.  Good luck to you!   :)