51
50
12
11
Glossary of Chemical Terms
Bromamines: Compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Unlike
chloramines, bromamines have no pungent odour and are effective sanitizers.
Bromine: A halogen sanitizer (in the same chemical family as chlorine). Bromine is commonly used in stick, tablet or granular
form.
Calcium Hardness: The amount of dissolved calcium in the spa water. This should be approximately 80–100 ppm. High levels of
calcium can cause cloudy water and scaling. Low levels can cause harm to the spa equipment.
Chloramines: Compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc.
Chlorine: An efficient sanitizing chemical for spas.
Chlorine (or Bromine) Residual: The amount of chlorine or bromine remaining after chlorine or bromine demand has been
satisfied. The residual is, therefore, the amount of sanitizer which is chemically available to kill bacteria, viruses and algae.
Corrosion: The gradual wearing away of metal spa parts, usually caused by chemical reaction.
Halogen: Any one of these five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine or astatine.
Oxidizer: The use of an oxidizing chemical is to prevent the buildup of contaminants, maximize sanitizer efficiency, minimize
combined chlorine and improve water clarity.
Pathogen: An organism (i.e. bacteria) that causes disease.
pH: The measure of the spa water’s acidity and alkalinity. The recommended pH for the spa water is 7.4 to 7.8. Below 7.0, which
is considered neutral, the spa water is too acidic and can damage the heating system. Above 7.8, the water is too alkaline and can
result in cloudy water and scale formation on the shell and heater.
ppm: The abbreviation of “parts per million”, the standard measurement of chemical concentration in water. Identical to mg/l
(milligrams per litre).
Reagent: A chemical material in liquid, powder or tablet form for use in chemical testing.
Sanitizer: Sanitizers are added and maintained at recommended residuals to protect bathers against pathogenic organisms which
can cause disease and infection from unclean spa water.
Scale: Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces, heaters, plumbing lines and clog filters.
Shock Treatment: Shock treatment is a process of adding significant doses of a quick dissolving sanitizer (sodium dichlor is
recommended) to oxidize non-filterable organic waste and to remove chloramines and bromamines.
Total Alkalinity: The amount of bicarbonates, carbonates and hydroxides present in spa water. Proper TA is important for pH
control. If the TA is too high, the pH is difficult to adjust. If the TA is too low, the pH will be difficult to hold at the proper level. The
desired range of TA in spa water is 100 to 150 ppm.
GENERAL OPERATION TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
problem
possible
cause
solutions
Inoperative spa
∙ Power failure
∙ GFCI tripped
∙ Spa lock activated
∙ Check power source
∙ Reset GFCI; call for service if it will not
reset
∙ Turn off breaker for at least one
minute. If tripping continues, call for
service
∙ Deactivate spa lock
Not heating; jets and light operate
(spa pack display shows OK and green
LED is on)
∙ Circulation pump thermal cut-off
tripped
∙ Water temperature 2°F over set point
∙ Integrated pressure switch failure
(replace the heater)
∙ Heater is not connected (check if
rH/nF appears on the display)
∙ The wrench symbol appears on the
panel display
∙ Check for clogged filters
∙ Check for air locks in plumbing
∙ Disconnect power to the spa, allow
circulation pump to cool
∙ Circulation pump thermal cut-off will
reset when pump has cooled and
power is reapplied. Call for service if
circulation pump thermal cut-off trips
frequently
∙ Circulation pump is cut-off when water
temperature reaches 2°F over set
point.
∙ Call for service if the heater trips
frequently
∙ A hardware problem occurred, call
your dealer
Jets weak or surging
∙ Spa water level too low
∙ Filters clogged
∙ Air controls are closed
∙ Add water
∙ Clean filters
∙ Open air controls
Light inoperative
∙ Spa lock activated
∙ Light wiring or assembly is faulty
∙ Deactivate spa lock
∙ Replace light assembly
Pump not functioning
∙ Pump overload condition
∙ Top side control switches failure if jet
symbol does not come on
∙ Let cool for one hour. Pump (motor)
overload will reset automatically. If
problem persists, contact your Pacific
Spa dealer
∙ Turn breaker off and contact your
Pacific Spa dealer
Noisy pump
∙ Low water level
∙ Defective pump
∙ Add water to normal level (minimum
one inch above the highest jet)
∙ Turn breaker off and contact your
Pacific Spa dealer
Pump runs, but low or no water/jet
pressure
∙ Low water level
∙ Air control valve closed or blocked
∙ Air line clogged or blocked
∙ Dirty filter cartridge
∙ Jet blocked
∙ Clogged suction or skimmer basket
∙ Closed gate valve (if present)
∙ Add water to normal level (minimum
one inch above the highest jet)
∙ Open or clean air valve
∙ Clean filter cartridge
∙ Remove jet face and clean orifice
∙ Clean suction cover or skimmer
basket
∙ Open gate valves
Diverter valves, on/off valves are difficult
to turn
∙ Sand or debris inside valves
∙ Clean and lubricate valves
∙ Clean filters/change filters
