4
4. If you cannot reproduce the Watchdog error and the hi-limit and temperature sensors check out OK, tell the
customer to call you if the Watchdog display reappears.
A Understanding Ozone
Oxygen is an element, and like other gaseous elements, normally exists as a pair of atoms bonded together to
make a whole molecule. Chemists therefore use the symbol O
2
to speak of “oxygen molecules” rather than oxygen
atoms.
In the presence of an electric discharge like lightning or a strong source of ultraviolet light, three molecules of
O
2
can combine to form O
3
known as Ozone. While oxygen has no smell, ozone has a very pronounced smell in
large concentrations. In small quantities, it causes the pleasant “fresh air” smell that laundry has when dried on an
outdoor clothesline. Some clothing dryer manufacturers have installed an ultraviolet light inside their machines
to give clothes that “fresh-as-all-outdoors” smell. Jacuzzi Hot Tubs offers a type of ozone system, the corona dis-
charge (CD). The corona discharge (CD) uses a highly efficient low current/high voltage arching chamber to gen-
erate ozone. The CD ozone introduces ozone into the hot tub water through a “Ozone” venturi injector fitting.
The technician must understand three things about ozone:
•
Ozone (O
3
) breaks down quickly into plain oxygen (O
2
).
•
Ozone kills germs.
•
Ozone is a strong oxidizer.
Because ozone breaks down quickly into oxygen, the hot tub would have to run 24 hours a day with the ozone
generator operating to insure constant disinfecting. Even then, a residual sanitizer must be used. There are two
choices, chlorine or bromine. While chlorine is oxidized by ozone just as quickly as bromine, the resulting bro-
mine compounds are a much better disinfectant than the resulting chlorine compounds. Therefore, ozone and
bromine team up better to do the overall job than ozone and chlorine.
A Understanding pH
Keeping the hot tub water clean and clear involves a very complex set of chemical reactions. Most importantly, the
hot tub must be sanitized. Bacteria, algae and other single-cell life forms that may find their way into the hot tub
must be killed. Three chemical elements, chlorine, bromine and ozone are all good sanitizing agents. When any
of these elements come into contact with bacteria or algae, these single-cell organisms die. Therefore, to keep the
water germ free, we must simply keep a residual of the sanitizing agent in the water.
Making germs dead is only half the objective, however. The dead cells of the bacteria and algae we have killed, and
the organic “stuff” (dandruff, perspiration, dead skin cells, etc.) That our bodies deposit in the hot tub, will make
the water cloudy and uninviting as they decompose. These microscopic contaminants must be “burned out” or
oxidized. These oxidation reactions occur simultaneously with reactions known as reduction reactions. The bal-
ance of these chemical reactions is quite critical and can occur properly only if pH levels are maintained from 7.2
to 7.8 pH. If the pH is out of range, the sanitizing agent itself will be oxidized or reduced and in effect be “used
up” before it has a chance to do it’s job.
pH is critical for maximum disinfection, sanitizing and cleaning results with the least amount of chemical ad-
dition. Make sure your customer understands the importance of regular water test intervals and the proper use
of chemicals. Both are necessary to ensure maximum water quality and to maintain a healthy and fun hot tub
environment.
Summary of Contents for Premium J-315
Page 45: ...45 Appendix...
Page 62: ...62 Notes...
