cal spa troubleshooting
By Holly Chavez
|
On Apr 28, 2015
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Cal Spas
Cal Spas was founded in 1979, and they currently offer more than 250 product models. Each of their hot tubs can be customized from a list of thousands of options, and the company places an emphasis on innovative touches and quality workmanship. Cal Spas is based out of California, and they have earned an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
Cal Spas focuses on offering home resort experiences, and they have been honored with numerous industry awards. The company’s products are also TradeCertified, meet the UL Certified standard of excellence and are ETL Listed. Consumers can add a Spa Surround to any of the company’s hot tubs that makes the whole hot tub area look custom to their backyard. Cal Spas is one of the oldest manufacturers of hot tubs in North America and with that comes tremendous experience and a quality product.
Spa Models:
- Genesis Spa
- Gen II Spa
- Patio Spas
- Connect Spas
- Escape Spas
- Platinum Spas
- Swim Spas
- Inground Spas
Cal Spas Hot Tub Covers:
The Cover Guy custom manufacture’s all Cal Spas replacement Spa Covers. The Cover Guy has all the Cal Spa models on file so you never need to measure for your new hot tub cover! When ordering your Cal Spa replacement hot tub cover just leave the dimensions field blank. Leave us a note in the note section saying what model you have, and The Cover Guy will take care of the rest. You can Order your new Cal Spa Replacement Spa cover here.
Cal Spas Error Codes
These are the error codes and display messages that all 2015 Spa models may display except for the Platinum Spas, along with what they mean and the action required:
| Message | Meaning | Action Required |
| PUMPS PURGE AIR | Priming Mode-Every time that the spa unit is started (powered up), it enters the Priming Mode. Priming Mode functions to enable you to run the pumps and manually verify that water is flowing and that air is purged from pumps. This verification is typically not possible in normal operating mode of the spa and requires the separate observation of the output of each pump. | Keep in mind that the spa will turn on with Jets 1 during Priming Mode if it has a Circ Pump. When you exit the Priming Mode, the Circ Pump runs by itself.Priming Mode goes on for 4 minutes, but can be exited earlier by depressing the Temp button. During Priming Mode, the heater is not permitted to run. |
| – – –°F – – –°C | Means that the temperature of the water is unknown. The temperature will be displayed after the pump runs for 1 minute. The pumps may cycle on and off in some cases, and the heater may function during Freeze Protection. | No action required. |
| 42F Too Cold | Freeze Protection – Means The equipment has detected a potentially freezing condition to the unit. All of the blower and pump devices are activated. These devices stay on for at least 4 min after the potential freeze condition ends. In some examples, the heater may operate, and the pumps may cycle on and off during Freeze Protection. | This is not an error indication, but an operational message. No action required. |
| Water is too Hot (OHS) | Means that a water temperature sensor has detected water temperatures 110°F (43.3°C). Spa functioning is then disabled. | Once water temperature is below 108°F (42.2°C), the System will then auto reset. Check for high ambient temperatures or extended pump operation. |
| SFTY TRIP | This is a safety trip error message which means the switch to the vacuum switch has closed. This situation happens with suction issues or a possible entrapment situation avoided. Note that all spas don’t have this feature. | Clear any blockages or debris covering the drain or Cal Spa filter, then reset by depressing any button located on the top side panel. |
| HTR FLOW LOSS | Indicates possibility of inadequate water flow to heater to carry heat away from the spa unit’s heating element. | Check to determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prime, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. Heater starts again after 1 min. |
| HTR FLOW FAIL | Heater Flow is Reduced-means there is inadequate water flow to heater to carry heat away from the spa unit’s heating element. The heater is disabled. | Check to determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prime, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. Heater starts again after 1 min. |
| HTR MAY BE DRY – WAIT | Means there isn’t enough water to start it or a possibility of a dry heater – spa is shut down for 15 minutes. | Check to determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prime, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. You can depress any button to reset theheater start-up. |
| HTR DRY | Indicates that there isn’t a sufficient amount of water in the heater in order to start it. The system shuts the spa down. | Check to determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prime, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. Once the issue is resolved, clear the message in order to restart the heater startup. |
| HTR TOO HOT | Means that a temperature sensor detected temperatures that are too hot in the heater ( 118°f /47.8°C). The system shuts the spa down. | Check to determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prime, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. Reset once the water level goes below 108°f (42.2°C) by pressing any button. |
| PRES BTTN TO RSET | Means that the spa unit will need to be reset. This message might appear with another message. | Reset by depressing any button located on the top side panel. |
| 102F SNSR BALANCE | The temperature sensors are not in balance and are more than likely are out of sync by 2°F – 3°F. | Put in a service call. |
| SNSR SYNC with call for service message | Indicates that sensors that monitor temps are not in balance and ARE out of sync. | Put in a service call. |
| SNSR A with call for service messageSNSR B with call for service message | Indicates sensor or sensor circuit failure(s). | Put in a service call. |
| NO COMM | The spa unit control panel isn’t receiving the communication from its system. | Put in a service call. |
| 102°T | °F or °C is replaced by °TThe spa unit’s control system is operating in Test Mode. | Put in a service call. |
| STUK PUMP | The pump is likely stuck ONWater most likely is overheated. | DO NOT GO IN THE WATER. Turn off the power to the spa unit. Call your service supplier or dealer |
| HOT FALT with with call for service message | A pump is likely stuck ONwhen spa unit was last powered up. | DO NOT GO IN THE WATER. Turn off the power to the spa unit. Call your service supplier or dealer |
These are the error codes and display messages that all 2015 Spa models may display for the Platinum Spas, along with what they mean and the action required:
| Message | Meaning | Action Required |
| – – –F- – – –C | The temperature of the water is unknown. The temperature will be displayed after the pump runs for 1 minute | No action required. |
| Possible freezing condition | The equipment has detected a potentially freezing condition to the unit. All of the water devices are being activated. In some examples, the heater may operate, and the pumps may cycle on and off during Freeze Protection. | This is not an error indication but an operational message. |
| Water is too hot | Means that a water temperature sensor has detected water temperatures 110°F (43.3°C). Spa functioning is then disabled. | Once water temperature is below 108°F (42.2°C), the System will then auto reset. Check for high ambient temperatures or extended pump operation. |
| Water flow is low | Means there may not be sufficient enough water flow through the heater to carry heat away from the unit’s heating element. | After 1 minute, the heater start up begins again. See “Flow Related Checks” below this table. |
| Water flow failed | Means there may not be sufficient enough water flow through the heater to carry heat away from the unit’s heating element, and the system has disabled the heater. | See box for “Flow Related Checks” below this table. Once the issue is taken care of, press any button to reset and to begin the startup mode of the heater. |
| Heater may be Dry | Means there isn’t enough water to start it or a possibility of a dry heater – spa is shut down for 15 minutes. | Reset the heater startup by depressing any button. See box for “Flow Related Checks” below this table. |
| Heater is Dry | Means there isn’t enough water to start it. Spa shuts down. | Reset the heater startup by depressing any button after issue is resolved. See box for “Flow Related Checks” below this table. |
| Heater is too Hot | Means a water temperature sensor detected temperature of 118°f (47.8°C) inside the heater. Spa shuts down. | You must press any button to reset when water is below 108°f (42.2°C). See “Flow Related Checks” below this table. |
| Sensors are out of sync | Indicates that the sensors that monitor temperature may be out of sync by 2-3°F. | Put in a service call. |
| Sensors are out of sync with a call for service message | Indicates that sensors that monitor temps are NOT in sync. The fault in category box above has been going on for an hour at least. | Put in a service call. |
| Sensor A & Sensor B Fault – Sensor A, Sensor B | Indicates a failure of a sensor circuit or temperature sensor. | Put in a service call. |
| No Communications | Means control panel of the spa isn’t receiving any communications from the System. | Put in a service call. |
| °F or °C is replaced by °T | The Control System is working in Test Mode. | Put in a service call. |
Check to determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prime, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. Some equipment may power on occasionally to continue monitoring to determine if freeze protection is required or for temperature checks on some systems even when spa is powered off.
Cal Spas Owners Manuals
Cal_Spas_Owners_Manual
A lawyer never retires. So I would just say that I am not as active as I used to be. Now I simply dedicate myself to fishing, my hobby, and my grandchildren. For Business Finance News I write about legal aspects of mortgage policies, mostly regarding the rights of policyholders. I also have articles about personal injuries.
