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Operating Instructions Page 11
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
START-UP AND REFILL PROCEDURES
Your Hot Spot
®
spa has been thoroughly tested during the manufacturing process to ensure reliability and long-term customer satisfaction. A
small amount of water may have remained in the plumbing after testing and, as a result, may have spotted the spa shell or the spa siding prior to
delivery. Before filling the spa, wipe the spa shell clean with a soft rag.
The following instructions must be read and followed exactly to ensure a successful start-up or refill.
CAUTIONS
• Do not fill the spa with hot water, as tripping of the high-limit thermostat may result.
• DO NOT CONNECT POWER TO AN EMPTY SPA. Power to the spa automatically activates critical components within the spa,
such as controls, heater, and other systems. If power is supplied to these components prior to the spa being filled, the
components will be damaged, and this may result in a non-warranty component failure.
• Do not use your spa after filling until all of the steps listed below are completed.
• Do not add chlorine if treating your spa with polyhexamethylene biguanide (Biguanide, PHMB, eg. BaquaSpa
®
) sanitizer.
• Before filling your spa for the first time, remove the equipment compartment door and check to ensure that the unions on either
side of the pump(s) and heater are hand-tight.
1. Ensure the drain is closed and remove the filter compartment cover, skimmer basket, weir, and filter. Then insert the end of a garden hose into
the filter hole and begin filling the spa. The water level of your Hot Spot spa should be maintained at a level one inch above the highest jet in
the spa. Reinstall the skimmer basket, weir, and filter once the spa is filled.
IMPORTANT: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend that the spa be filled with “softened” water, as this may damage the
spa’s equipment.
2. Install SPA FROG bromine and mineral cartridges. See Spa Frog Replacement Instruction section and install the cartridge.
IMPORTANT: Each time the spa is filled with water, you must remove and reinstall the SPA FROG cap, even if you are not replacing
the cartridge, in order to properly prime the jet pumps.
3. AFTER the spa has been filled with water and the equipment compartment door is secured, power must be applied to the spa.
• 115 volt models: Connect the GFCI to the waterproof receptacle and push the RESET button on the GFCI.
• 230 volt models: Open the door of the electrical subpanel and reset the GFCI breaker. Close and secure the subpanel door.
4. The jet pump(s), heating system and all internal plumbing will achieve a partial prime as the spa is filled. To check the operation of the jet
system and to purge any remaining air from the heating system, push the JETS button on the control pad twice (three times for Mallorca
®
) to
make the jet pump(s) run on high speed for one minute. Once the jet system is fully operational (as indicated by strong, non-surging jets),
priming of the spa is complete. If you do not feel a steady stream of water from your jets, refer to the instructions for priming the pump in the
SPA TROUBLESHOOTING section in the back of this manual.
5. Adjust Total Alkalinity (TA) to 125 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) to 150 ppm, then spa water pH to between 7.4 and 7.6. These procedures are
listed in the “Water Quality and Maintenance” section.
IMPORTANT: Add spa water chemicals directly into the filter compartment after activating “Clean Cycle” (Press SET, then Jets button).
OPERATION NOTES:
1. Your spa is equipped with a ten-minute timer delay on the heating/maintenance mode. Whenever the jet pump has been turned off (and a
three-degree temperature drop has occurred) or the temperature control has been turned up, it will take ten minutes before the low speed of
the jet pump and heater become activated. Always push the JETS button to turn off the jet pump when exiting the spa. In the standard 115
volt, 20 amp electrical configuration, the heating system does not operate simultaneously with the high speed pump. On the other hand, on
the 230 volt system, the heating system does operate simultaneously with the high speed pump.
2. The spa controller has an automatic two hour “time-out” feature should the high speed jet mode be left on inadvertently. After one hour of
continuous operation, the controller will automatically return to the maintenance/heating mode.
3. The spa controller also has a six-hour “time-out” feature should the light be left on inadvertently. After six hours of continuous operation,
the controller will automatically turn the light off.