Question 1

Why is my spa overheating?

Accepted Answer

If the spa is located in an area that is experiencing hot weather, it is normal to have the spa water temperature rise. To help keep your spa cooler, adjust the spa’s filtration cycles to no more than three hours per day, and only one hour per day during the warmer summer months. Set the cycles to run during later evening or early morning hours when the outside air temperature is cooler. During the summer, set only one filter cycle per day. Open the cover for several minutes, long enough to allow the water to cool down. Repeat a couple times weekly as necessary. For safety reasons, never leave your spa unattended with the cover open. If OHH is displayed on the control panel, this means that the thermometer has detected spa water temperature above 110 degrees F. Do not use the spa at this temperature. Take the advised steps above to cool your spa water to below 106 degrees F before use.

Question 2

Why won't my spa heat?

Accepted Answer

If your spa temperature is low, first check the thermostat to see if it has been turned down or set to low heat range. Adjust the thermostat to desired temperature or set to high heat range. Another common reason for your spa temperature to be low is because the high limit sensor has tripped. Press any button on your control panel to reset the system. If neither of the above steps works, your heating system may be defective. Contact your authorized Bullfrog Spas Dealer for further diagnosis.

Question 3

Why is my GFCI breaker tripping?

Accepted Answer

Warning: You must be a qualitied electrician and or service technician to perform diagnosing or serial injury or death can result: High voltage components are in use. If the spa was recently installed, the most common reason the GFCI would trip is the Load Neutral (white wire) between the spa and GFCI which must be connected to the Load Neutral port in the GFCI breaker. If the neutral wire is connected to the neutral busbar, the breaker will trip during startup. The neutral connection must not have contact to the ground on the load side of the breaker or it will trip. If the spa is not tripping immediately upon startup, a process of elimination should be used to identify the problem. Disconnect one component at a time from the control board and try restarting the spa. If the breaker trips, reconnect the component then try again by disconnecting a different component. Continue repeating this process until the breaker does not trip. Components include pumps, heaters, lights, stereos, ozone, etc. If the breaker does not trip after disconnecting the component, then the disconnected component is the source of the problem. Once you have determined which component is at fault, replace the component. If you have not found the source of the problem after disconnecting each spa component individually, disconnect all components from the control board and try starting the spa. If the breaker still trips, a certified electrician will need to inspect the breaker and wiring.

Question 4

Why is my spa making a vibration noise?

Accepted Answer

A light vibration noise is normal while the spa pumps and motors are running. If your spa’s vibration noise level seems excessive, the first thing to check for is the spa motor’s shipping bolts. Each spa motor has a shipping bolt that can contribute to the vibrating noise and can be removed once your spa is delivered and installed. The bolts have tags with red lettering for easy identification. If the bolts have been removed and your spa still makes an excessive vibration noise, contact your spa dealer for further assistance.

Question 5

Why is my spa pump creating a burning smell or making excessive noise?

Accepted Answer

If your spa pump is creating a burning smell or making excessive noise, the pump motor is defective. This can happen when running the pump during high ambient outside temperatures or due to excessive run times. Please contact your authorized Bullfrog Spas dealer for replacing the pump.

Question 6

Why are my control pad and spa equipment not operating?

Accepted Answer

If your hot tub control pad and spa equipment are not operating, that means you have no electrical power to the spa. Turn on or reset the GFCI circuit breaker to supply the spa with power again. If this does not solve the problem, have a qualified Electrician check the electrical service for issues. Another reason your control pad and equipment won’t work is if the fuse (20 or 30A depending on the system) has blown. Contact your authorized Bullfrog Spas Dealer for repair/replacement.

Question 7

Why are my hot tub jets not working?

Accepted Answer

If your hot tub jets are surging on and off, the first thing to check is your water level as it might be too low. Adjust water to the water level indication mark on the faceplate of the filter assembly. Next, check your filters as they may be dirty. If so, clean or replace them. If your spa’s jets seem weak or are not working, first double-check to make sure that the valves are open. JetPaks have valves at the bottom that open and close by turning the valve. Adjustable jets on M Series, A Series, R Series, and STIL spas open and close by turning the jet face. Adjustable jets on X Series spas open and close by turning the outer ring. The next thing to check is the suction fitting(s) normally located at the bottom of your spa shell to see if they are blocked. Remove any debris you find by hand or with a spa vacuum. If your jets are not working after filling your spa, you most likely have an airlock in the pump. Follow the directions in the “how do I fix an airlock in the pump” section below.

Question 8

Why won’t my spa won't work after draining and refilling it?

Accepted Answer

If your spa pumps/jets are not working after filling your spa, you most likely have an airlock in the pumps. Follow the directions in the “how do I fix an airlock in the pump” section below.

Question 9

How do I fix an airlock in the pump?

Accepted Answer

To prevent airlocks when filling your spa, be sure to open all valves in the JetPaks and all other jets in the spa before filling to allow as much air as possible to escape from the system during the filling process. Fill your spa through the filter by taking the filter cap off and put the hose directly in the filter. Detailed instructions for filling each spa series are found in your owner’s manual. Your hot tub’s pumps must be primed directly after filling to ensure correct operation of your spa and get rid of any airlocks. After initial startup, verify that the home status screen appears on the panel. Depending on your spa model, your spa has either 1,2, or 3 pumps. To prime the pumps, press the “Jets 1” button once to prime in low-speed. After the pump turns on and water is visibly flowing from the jets wait a few seconds and then press “Jets 1” again to initiate highspeed operation of Pump 1. The pump has primed when water is flowing from the jets. If your spa is equipped with a second jet pump, repeat the priming process for Pump 2 by pressing the “Jets 2” button once to turn on low speed and then a second time to turn Pump 2 on high. If your spa has a 3rd pump, press the “Jets 3” button to prime the third jet pump. All pumps will have primed when water is observed flowing from the jets associated with each pump. On rare occasions, priming the pumps will not get rid of an airlock. The next step is to remove the front panel and locate the pump with an airlock. The wet-end of the pump has a bleed valve—loosen this until all the air escapes and water starts to drip out, or loosen the union on the pump to let the air out until you see water. Do not attempt this while the spa pump is running. If you need help doing this or this does not resolve the problem, please contact your authorized Bullfrog Spa Dealer.

Question 10

Why do my spa jets turn off during operation?

Accepted Answer

If your jets turn off automatically after either 30 or 60 minutes, this is completely normal. The automatic timer has completed its cycle. Simply turn the pump back on to start a new cycle. Another reason your jets can turn off unexpectedly is if the pump has overheated due to the vents on the equipment door being blocked. Clear away any items from the vents and wait a while to see if your jets work again. The last reason your spa jets can turn off is if the pump motor is defective. In this case, contact your authorized Bullfrog Spas dealer for service.

Question 11

Why are my hot tub jets/pump not turning off?

Accepted Answer

If you are trying to turn off the pump for jets 1 on your spa and it appears that they are not turning off, your spa is in the middle of a filtration cycle. Spas not equipped with a dedicated filtration pump will turn on automatically, using jet pump 1 on low speed, to filter and/or heat. This is normal spa operation.

Question 12

What do I do if my spa is leaking?

Accepted Answer

If you notice your spa is losing water, check all fittings and equipment in the equipment compartment for the source of leakage. If a leak is detected, tighten the fitting by hand. If the leak persists, you cannot find the source of the leak, or the leak is coming from the shell, contact your authorized Bullfrog Spas Dealer.

Author: Dave Perry

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