Hot Spot 2014 REL, Owner'S Manual

TROUBlESHOOTING 

Watkins Manufacturing corporation strives to provide the most trouble-free spas on the market. should you experience any problem whatsoever, 

do not hesitate to contact your authorized 

Hot Spot

 spa dealer. Here are some tips to help you to diagnose and rectify some more common 

sources of trouble yourself, if you choose to do so.

gEnERAL OPERATIOn TROUBLESHOOTIng gUIdE

Problem

Probable causes

Solutions

entire spa is inoperative

•  Power failure / not plugged in

•  GFCI tripped 

•  Heater high-limit thermostat tripped

•  Check power source

•  Reset GFCI; call for service if it will not reset

•  Disconnect power for at least thirty seconds to reset heater high limit. If it 

will not reset, check for clogged filters. If tripping continues, call for service.

spa jets and heat off,  light 

operates 

(display reads =====

)

•  Pressure switch is open and should be 

closed.

•  Pressure switch senses flow through heater 

even though jet pump is off.

•  Check for clogged filter. The pressure switch will reset when the flow 

of water through the heater has been restored. call for service if the 

pressure switch trips frequently.

•  Contact an Authorized Service Technician

READY

 icon flashes

•  Control Sensor open or shorted

•  Contact an Authorized Service Technician

Jets weak or surging

•  Spa water level too low

•  Filters clogged / Jet intake screens clogged

•  Jet nozzles closed / Air valve closed

•  Add water

•  Clean filters / Clean jet intake screens

•  Open jet nozzles / Open air valve

Light inoperative

•  Spa lock activated
•  Light wiring or assembly is faulty

•  Deactivate spa lock
•  Replace light assembly

display reads - - - -  

(entire spa inoperative)

•  Heater high-limit thermostat tripped

•  Disconnect power to the spa for at least thirty seconds to reset the heater 

high-limit. If tripping continues, clean the filter, then if tripping still occurs, 

call for service

set water temperature 

significantly different from 

display temperature

•  System Controls

•  Disconnect power to the spa for at least thirty seconds
•  Contact an Authorized Service Technician

SPA WATER MAInTEnAnCE TROUBLESHOOTIng gUIdE

Problem

Probable causes

Solutions

cloudy Water

•  Dirty filters

•  Excessive oils / organic matter

•  Improper sanitization

•  Suspended particles / organic matter

•  Overused or old water

•  Clean filters

•  Shock spa with sanitizer

•  Add sanitizer

•  Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended range

•  Run jet pump(s) and clean filters

•  Drain and refill the spa

Water odor

•  Excessive organics in water

•  Improper sanitization

•  Low pH

•  Shock spa with sanitizer

•  Add sanitizer

•  Adjust pH to recommended range

chlorine odor

•  Chloramine level too high

•  Low pH

•  Shock spa with sanitizer

•  Adjust pH to recommended range

Musty odor

•  Bacteria or algae growth

•  Shock spa with sanitizer–if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean 

and refill the spa

organic buildup / scum ring 

around spa

•  Build-up of oils and dirt

•  Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe, drain the spa, use a spa 

surface and tile cleaner to remove the scum, and refill the spa

Algae Growth

•  High pH

•  Low sanitizer level

•  Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH

•  Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level

eye Irritation

•  Low pH

•  Low sanitizer level

•  Adjust pH

•  Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level

skin Irritation / Rash

•  Unsanitary water

•  Free chlorine level above 5 ppm

•  Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level

•  Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use

stains

•  Total alkalinity and/or pH too low

•  High iron or copper in source water

•  Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH

•  Use a metal deposit inhibitor

scale

•  High calcium content in water – total 

alkalinity and pH too high

•  Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale requires removal, drain the spa, 

scrub off the scale, refill the spa and balance the water

page 42 

Service Information