HotSpring HOT SPOT Pace, Owner'S Manual

Page 6

Getting Started

START-UP

Your 

HOT SPRING

 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.

1.  CLOSE DRAIN AND FILL THE SPA

 with water through the 

filter compartment. Your 

HOT SPRING

 spa water level should be 

maintained at a level one inch above the highest jet in the spa. 

NOTE

: Remove 

FROG

 cap while filling to allow the air to escape the 

plumbing lines. Replace 

FROG

 cap once filled.

2.  AFTER THE SPA HAS BEEN FILLED

 with water and the 

equipment compartment door is secured, power must be applied 

to the spa.

•  115 volt model:

 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, reset 

the 50 amp GFCI breaker, verify the system is primed. Close 

and secure the subpanel door.

3.  TO CHECK THE OPERATION OF THE JET SYSTEM

 and 

to purge any remaining air from the heating system: 

RELAY

&

RHYTHM

Models:

•  Push the JETS button 3 times to run pumps on high speed, run 

for one minute.

•  Push the JETS button 2 more times to shut all the jets off.

PACE

Model:

•  Push the JETS button 2 times to run the jet pump on high 

speed, run for one minute. Press JETS button one more time to 

shut the JETS off.

Weak or surging jets are an indication of a low water level condition or 

clogged filter cartridges

.

IMPORTANT:

 Be sure the air Lever (see illustration in Spa Features 

section) is open by turning clockwise until it stops. Combination jet 

faces can be turned to completely shut off jet flow, these jets should 

be open as well.

4.  USING A TEST STRIP AND APPLICABLE CHEMICALS

,

adjust Total Alkalinity (TA) to 80 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) 

to 100 ppm,  then spa water pH to between 7.2 and 7.8. These 

procedures are listed in the “Water Quality and Maintenance” 

section. 

When using the FROG @ease system it is required to 

use the @ease Test Strips.
IMPORTANT: 

Always add spa water chemicals directly into the 

filter compartment with the jet pump on high speed for at least 

ten minutes. Adjusting the Total Alkalinity (TA) as the first step is 

important, as out-of-balance TA will affect your ability to adjust 

the pH correctly and will prevent the sanitizer from operating 

effectively.

5.  IF USING FROG @ease: 

Dial a new @ease mineral cartridge 

to setting 6 and snap into the top space of the cartridge holder. Dial 

@ease SmartChlor Cartridge per the setting chart based on your 

gallons (see page 11). 

IF USING FROG

 Bromine Cartridge (Canada Only): Dial the 

cartridge to setting 3 and snap into the bottom section of the 

cartridge holder. Leave the top section empty.

IMPORTANT: 

With 

FROG

 Bromine Cartridge shock once a week. 

WIth 

FROG

 @ease, shock once a month or when replacing 

a SmartChlor Cartridge. We recommend the FRESHWATER 

Chlorine Free Oxidizer (MPS).

6.  SUPERCHLORINATE THE SPA WATER

 by adding 1½ 

teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons (950 liters) 

of spa water with the spa in the Cleaning mode.  

All 

HOT SPRING

 spas are equipped with a Cleaning mode. When 

the mode is activated, the jet pump will turn on and run for ten 

minutes (used for water maintenance). To activate the “Cleaning" 

mode, press the MODE (



 or 



) button several times until the 

CLEAN menu is displayed. Press the 

(+)

button to activate the 

CLEAN mode feature.

7.  SET THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL

, the spa is  

pre-programmed to reach 100°F (38° C), and will normally do 

so within 18 to 24 hours. You may raise or lower the water 

temperature by:
•  Pressing the 

(+)

  button on the control panel to raise the 

temperature.

•  Pressing the  

(-)

 button on the control panel to lower the 

temperature.

Place the vinyl cover on the spa and allow the water temperature 

to stabilize. Make sure you secure the cover in place using the 

cover locks. Periodically check the spa water temperature. When 

the water temperature climbs above 90°F (32°C), proceed to the 

next step. 

To prevent tampering, you can lock your desired temperature 

setting. Refer to the Operating section for details.

8.  

IF NOT USING @ease SMARTCHLOR SYSTEM, TEST THE SPA 

WATER FOR CHLORINE RESIDUAL.  

If the residual is between 3 

and 5 ppm on the test strips, go on to the next  step. If the residual is 

less than 3 ppm, activate the Clean cycle, and then retest, add more 

chlorine as necessary.

IMPORTANT:

For Canada, if you are only using the 

FROG

 bromine 

cartridge, your bromine levels should be between 3.0 - 5.0 ppm.

WARNING:

High sanitizer levels can cause discomfort to the 

user’s eyes, lungs and skin. Always allow the sanitizer level to fall 

to the recommended range before using the spa.

IMPORTANT:

Each time the spa is filled with water, you must 

remove and reinstall the 

FROG

 cap, even if you are not replacing 

the cartridge, in order to properly prime the jet pumps.

9.  RECHECK 

the Total Alkalinity (TA) at 80 ppm, Calcium Hardness 

(CH) at 100 ppm, then spa water pH at between 7.2 and 7.8. using 

a 

FRESHWATER

 5-way test strip or an @ease test strip when 

using @ease cartridges . 

IMPORTANT:

 Make sure you adjust your Total Alkalinity first, as 

an out-of-balance condition will affect your ability to adjust the pH 

correctly, and will prevent the sanitizer from operating effectively. 

The spa is ready for use when the spa water has circulated 

and the bromine level remains between 1 and 2 ppm or 

chlorine level remains between 0.5 and 1 ppm with @ease, or 

3-5 ppm with regular chlorine.

10.  TEST WATER WEEKLY OR BEFORE EACH TIME  

THE SPA IS USED