Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Campsalot on May 08, 2006, 10:39:20 am
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Okay guys, take a shot at this one! 3 of the 4 headrests I have in my 05 Sundance Maxxus are dissolving. This tub is not 1 year old and I really kind of bummed about this.
The water chemistry is kept balanced and is always good. The tub is not used a tremendous amount, maybe 3 times per month. I have a bromine floater and keep it set at about 3 (very minimal total bromine usually 2 to 3ppm) and I change the water every 9 weeks.
I'm thinking the warranty needs to replace these babies. Also, why just are just 3 of the 4 headrests dissolving?
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Do you have Ozone?
Are your pillows constantly in the water (I was told to keep the water level just below the pillows).
Both of the above will effect the pillows longevity. Also, are you cleaning these with some harsh chemical?
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One of the secrets of the spa industry:
Pillows head rests in warm steamy chemical environment deteriorate. They are consumable items, generally not covered by warranties. :-[
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One of the secrets of the spa industry:
Pillows head rests in warm steamy chemical environment deteriorate. They are consumable items, generally not covered by warranties. :-[
They do fade but the material used nowadays should not deteriorate like that so quickly. I'd contact the dealer about this even though it's not really a warrantied item (sometimes they'll help you if the issue is way out there).
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Pillows are only covered for three months on a Coleman spa, however a few years ago we had some pillow issues on the 700 series spas. They fell apart right away. In fact my coworker ended up with the defective pillows on her new 706. The problem was not water chemistry and so Coleman replaced the pillows.
How soon did you notice the damage on the pillows?
Have you reported it to your dealer and if so , how did he handle the claim?
What does the underside of your cover look like? I would think less than one year would be too short of a time to destroy pillows, even with poor water chemistry.
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About 7 years ago my parents bought a spa and the headrests disolved after about a year or so. My theory on this was they were not told to shock with the cover off and always did with it on. Not sure if I'm right but the Cover was going bad too so I'm thinking maybe.
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I had always heard it was ozone and not venting the chlorine after adding it
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Campsalot, I am wondering if a spa blanket would offer more protection for your head rests?
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About 7 years ago my parents bought a spa and the headrests disolved after about a year or so. My theory on this was they were not told to shock with the cover off and always did with it on. Not sure if I'm right but the Cover was going bad too so I'm thinking maybe.
Shocking with it open for 10 minutes is a great idea in general to allow off-gassing. The pillows from about 7 yrs ago would fall apart no matter what IMO. The newer "foam" like pillows you see out there now are a different story. They'll fade like everything else due to ozone and chems but you should find them to be much more structurally sound. Some stay away from pillows due to the way they used to fall apart but what's out there nowadays works really well IMO.
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Spa tech, do you think the spa blanket offers some protection from the ozone and chemical off gassing?
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Spa tech, do you think the spa blanket offers some protection from the ozone and chemical off gassing?
Sure, I just don't like the inconvenience but for heat retention and off-gassing they are nice though you defintiely want to leave it open and jets on for 10 minutes after a shock before you put the blanket on and close the cover.
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Padded headrests aren't supposed to last, and they don't. If they did last, they wouldn't be excluded from the warranty.
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Padded headrests aren't supposed to last, and they don't. If they did last, they wouldn't be excluded from the warranty.
The newer materials actually last pretty well, though they do fade. The ones that were around 5 to 10 years ago always fell apart but with the ones today it's better a faded pillow than no pillow IMO (unless you can't handle the color fading).
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One of the secrets of the spa industry: Pillows head rests in warm steamy chemical environment deteriorate. :-[
Well that's just great! It's not a secret anyMORE.
>:(
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I think most everything's been covered that I could think of except one thing- biguanides.
I don't think I've ever seen a customer on biguanide get issues with pillows, and their covers seem to last a little longer.
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Some companies got rid of them :)
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My head rests seem as good as the day I got the tub. I even have 2 of them sitting in the water for about 3/4 of an inch and there isn't a difference in color.
I'm using chlorine and I have ozone running 10 hours a day, also using a foam blanket covering about 95% of the water's surface.
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Like Markee said, some companies got rid of them. My Epic has the head rests molded in the spa shell and unless you have tried them, you can't believe how comfortable they are. I bought my husband a spa pillow and he used it once. I guess Marquis had the best idea, just get rid of them and you won't have to worry about what chemical to use or having to replace them.
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Have you discussed this with the dealer? ???
Pillows are warrantied on delivery. The only thing you have going on under the cover is water and chemicals and it is not the water causing it to occur.
You are using bromine in a floater on #3. WHY? ???
Are you not aware that you have a bromine feeder in the floating filter weir gate? Bromine pulls your pH down and you should be using a lot of pH increaser but I don't think you are.
Water chemistry is your culprit. IF you have ozone, take that floater out and maintain 1 tablet of bromine in the weir gate. It has a little grid door right on the gate to put bromine. IF you don't have ozone, get one. Also, ask your dealer about Sunpurity.
Tell us what you dealer has to say about this problem, pm me and I will "suggest" a solution.
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My Cameo did this also after about the first year. My dealer was nice enough to replace them. No problem since. Can't remember been so long ago but I might of not been leaving the cover off after shocking.
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Some companies got rid of them :)
Which I understood at the time because the old pillows sure fell apart but the new foam type pillows hold up well so I'm not sure how not having a pillow nowadays is a plus. I'm not saying the tub is incomplete without them, I just think it's kind of old thinking to disregard them altogether based on teh fact that the ones from the late 90's sucked so bad. i'm sure it's cost effective to not put them in so I can obviously understand that.
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Thanks for all the help. This forum never lets me down. I spoke to the dealer. I'll call him Mr. Sleepy, because this guy I swear sleeps in his store and always seems like he just woke up. I really don't think his dealership is doing real well. He thinks Sundance might replace the headrests but he is not sure. I do know if I don't stay on him he'll totally blow me off. I'll keep everyone posted as this continues.
Regarding the other questions everyone asked: No, I do not have an Ozonator. Yes, I was aware that there is a bromine tablet area in the filter gate. I do not use it anymore because the thing just does not work as well as a floater. Remember this tub is very rarely used. I am a self proclaimed freak about chemistry. I only use a Taylor full test kit, no strips and I check my water twice per week even when we only use the tub 2 to 3 times per month. Bromine is always at 2 to 3 PPM and yes, sometimes I need to add PH increaser. No the cover is fine, just 3 of the head cushions are dissolving. Do I shock? Yes, once per month right after the last use. Cover is always left open for 15 minutes after the shock with the pumps running. I shock with bromine super shock at 1 tablespoon per 200 gallons for a total of 3 tablespoons as the Maxxus holds 600 gallons.
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Remember this tub is very rarely used.
I think you need to use your spa more often. The pillows are probably dissolving from lack of love.
;D ;D ;D
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Spatech t.u.o: The companies who put them in their spas know they are prone to failure. If they improved so much from pillows in the 90s, how come they are not covered by any manufacturers warranty?
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Because they are a consumable item. They are MUCH better than they were, but they will still wear out over time.
The spa companies have no control over how much sanitizer you put/keep in your spa. Nor do they have control over the other aspects of your water chemistry.
From my experience, Sundance has been very helpful when dealing with pillows that seem to fail way too quickly.
If filters are supposed to last a certain amount of time, why aren't they covered? Because they are a consumable product that totally depends on the user.
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I concur with Serj: and I find that most dealers do help if they can: For one thing I will spend time with a customer to try to get more life out of the second set of pillows. What are they doing that will cut the life of these items?
Secondly, if they have gone bad in an extremely short time, I will call the factory and try to get a set sent out, or I will sell a set at my cost, or sometimes I will hand over a new pillow and just smile.
We are not getting many pillow issues these days - I do think they are making them better.
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Because they are a consumable item. They are MUCH better than they were, but they will still wear out over time.
Exactly, it is a "consumable" item and it doesn't surprise me that they aren't warranted like plumbing is but they're much sturdier than they were 5 or 6 yrs ago. Some of those that don't use them may make it sound like they're a loaf of bread that'll get moldy in a week but I don't see it. Sure they'll fade a bit but they're structurally sound and won't get waterlogged and fall apart like they old type. If you don't use them that's fine but not everyone shares the opinion that they're not worthy. I'd rather have one than not, though if it was the old type I'd probably skip them altogether.
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Problem resolved. Sleepy, my dealer has come through. Sundance is replacing all the head rests. They have said they will do this only once. Please understand this really is not a chemical issue. I truly am freaky about this chemistry issue. Rearding use; "hotubn" you said, " I think you need to use your spa more often. The pillows are probably dissolving from lack of love." I agree! My wife wanted the tub and now she never wants to get into it. Going in alone is either something I'll have to get used to and do or just keeping it as an expensive stereo with water features is our next best option. The way I look at it is this is a state of the art less than 1 year old Sundance Maxxus. It has been kept up by a self proclaimed freak who changes water more ofetn then some people change underwear. The cover is always swept clean of snow and washed regularlily and reprotected. Filter replaced every 6 months. Chemicals, well we have cvered that. Bottomline, if we don't start using it more often I'm selling it for the first $7000.00 offered. I'll take the 3g loss. I'll also freight the bugger anywhere and pay 1/2 that cost.
I think it would move quickly.
Thanks again everyone for your help. This forum is so cool in the fact that it actually consistently delivers.
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Great to hear your problem resolved! Beachcomber is of the "pillows just fall apart" camp also; mine are molded into the tub, and are PLENTY comfortable; don't miss them at all.
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How old is your beachcomber that has a headrest? What model do you have?? Beachcomber is a great tub!
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On my old Nordic tub, we didn't have pillows (and we had to walk 10 miles to school in the snow, barefoot, uphill both ways). But I did buy some of the "saddle bag" style pillows that flopped over the edge. I'd take em out when I was done soaking and they held up wonderfuly.
My point?
I don't have one. :)
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Some companies got rid of them :)
And I don't miss 'em either! ;D
Phil
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Campsalot, why won't your wife use the spa? ???
Terminator
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Campsalot PM me if you EVER decide to sell that spa. I'm sure I could sell it right here and you wouldn't have to pay any frieght.
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consumers wanted the pillows so they got em.
I never cared for them because we knew they'd deteriorate. Hotspring avoided them for years, until the consumer insisted.
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Two years ago when I upgraded my 10 year old Coleman spa, to my new Coleman 706, I took the pillows out. My reasoning was I didn't want the pillows faded when I decided to sell the tub. Now that I've had my new Coleman for two years, it's not going anywhere, I love my spa. Still haven't put the pillows back in and don't miss them.