Alpinespas Vx3 User manual

The VX3 Cover Lifter is an add-on accessory, sold separately and not included by default with

a spa pool. Instructions vary per spa pool model, see compatibility list before installing.

If spa model does not exist, contact alpine spas customer support.

INSTALLATION GUIDE

VX3 COVER LIFTER

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Contents

Before Getting Started 2

Operation Overview 2

Model Compatibility 2

List of Parts 3

Tools Required 3

Obstructions 3

Warnings 3

Alpine Spas Instructions 4

Master Spas & Alpine Elite Instructions 8

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*New Zealand customers only.

Subscribe to our Autoship Products and save up to 30%.

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of our products

Operation Overview

The cover lifter is attached with two mounting brackets,

screwed into the cabinet, on two opposite sides of the spa pool.

Start Position

Finish Position

Front Side of Spa Pool

SPA POOL BIRDS EYE VIEW

Model Compatibility

• The VX3 Cover Lifter will not t circular models, or square spas with a large corner radius. Enquire about the

‘Cradle Cover Lifter’ instead.

• The VX3 Cover Lifter will not t spa pools with width/length greater than 2300mm.

• For rectangular shaped spa pools, the cover will only fold one way, stacking parallel with the short end.

• Rectangular shaped spa pools usually have a smaller depth/width and may require the support arms to be

trimmed down to t.

*Table is a guide only. See specic model instructions for requirements and cautions.

Not all compatible or incompatible models are listed. If unsure, see your sales consultant.

BEFORE GETTING STARTED:

Range Compatible Models*Incompatible Models*Notes*

Alpine Spas

(Pages 4-6)

Fuji, Nordic, Belmont, Oregon, Nepal,

Tibet, Vermont, Aspen, Nevada,

Blackburn, Sierra, Matterhorn,

Vancouver, Munro, Nevada, Entertainer

Lucania, Yukon, Quebec, Duo,

Barbados, Malibu

Smaller rectangular spas may require

support arms to be cut down with a hack-

saw. Logo plates may obstruct mounting

brackets on certain sides.

Alpine Elite

(Pages 8-9) Kingston, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton Alberta The Calgary may require support arms to

be cut down with a hack-saw.

Master Spas

(Pages 8-9) Honolulu, Phoenix Florida, California, Houston Cabinet vents may need to be removed to

install mounting brackets.

1 2

3 4

Tools Required

Obstructions

Warnings

List of Parts

Before you begin to put together your cover lifter, make sure to double

check that all the parts are supplied. If you are in need of any extra parts for

whatever reason, give us a call on 0800 99 33 88 (NZ) or 1800 99 33 88 (AUS)

• Your spa pool may have obstructions on the cabinet that get in the way when trying to install the cover lifter’s

mounting brackets such as logo plates, vents or docking stations etc. Take these into consideration when planning

your mounting bracket positioning as you may need to choose another side to install on. Not every side can be used.

• It is likely that some of the spa pool cover straps and clips will be obstructed by the mounting brackets. You will

potentially need to attach these clips on angle or refrain from using these clips.

• The VX3 Cover Lifter requires approx 500mm of clearance space behind the side it is mounted on so that the cover

can swing out.

• The mounting brackets require 150mm of clearance on the sides they are mounted to.

• The resting position involves the cover sitting roughly halfway above the acrylic (see previous page ‘nish position’

image) - keep this in mind as it may block a particular view.

• If your spa pool is not listed in the compatibility section, please contact Alpine Spas before proceeding.

• Unclip the spa cover clips before beginning installation.

• The VX3 Cover Lifter is not compatible with circular spa pool models.

• The VX3 Cover Lifter is not suitable for spa pools with dimensions wider/longer than 2300mm

• Do not use the VX3 Cover Lifter in high wind conditions. Injury can occur from the spa cover being blown

over and onto the user.

• The VX3 Cover Lifter is designed to assist the removal of the cover from the spa pool. Always fully complete

the removal motion by taking weight from the cover and NEVER let it slam down by itself.

• Keep the VX3 Cover Lifter free of dirt and cobwebs.

• Chlorinated spa pool water can cause corrosion of parts. Clean your cover lifter regularly with fresh water

and towel dry.

• Do not use water logged covers with the VX3 Cover Lifter, the excessive weight can place extra stress on

the device and or spa pool cabinet.

Tape Measure Flat Head

Screwdriver

Wrench

Power Drill

& Drill Bit Set

Hack-Saw

PRE-INSTALLED

Step #2 - Attach the Pivot Arms to the

Mounting Brackets

Two opposite ‘bracket assemblies’ (a mounting bracket & pivot arm piece

connected) should rst be made up as per ‘Figure 1b’

To make up each bracket assembly, use ‘Figure 1a’ as a reference. Place

a washer (M) on the hex cap bolt (K) and insert through the pivot arm (D)

surrounded by both bushings (F). Continue to feed the hex cap bolt (K)

through the mounting bracket (H), using the lower hole as per ‘Figure 1a’.

Thread a washer (M) and locknut (L) onto the hex cap bolt and tighten

gently, enough so that the pivot arm (D) moves freely on the mounting

bracket and is secure, but not too sti. Rotate the pivot arm into the

upright position as seen in ‘Figure 2’ if it is not already.

Step #1 - Position the Spa Cover

Position the spa cover in the closed position on the spa. Make sure that

the four corners are evenly positioned and sitting correctly.

Note the positions of the hanging cover locking straps. It is likely that

the mounting brackets of the cover lifter will restrict the installation

of two of your spa cover clips, so you will need to nd a way to secure

these to the cabinet, either by attaching them an angle or by shorten-

ing/lengthening the cover straps.

ALPINE SPAS INSTRUCTIONS:

LMounting Bracket

Acrylic Shell

Cabinet

Mounting Bracket

300mm

Vertical Slat

Bushing

Pivot Arm

Washer Washer

Hex Cap Bolt

Locknut

Assemble each mounting bracket (H) as per ‘gure 1’.

Place a washer (M) on the hex cap bolt (K) and insert through the

pivot arm (D) surrounded by both support clips (A & B).

Continue to feed the hex cap bolt (K) through the mounting bracket (H),

using the lower hole as per ‘gure 1’. Thread a washer (M) and locknut (L)

onto the hex cap bolt end and tighten gently. Adjust locknut so pivot

arm (D) moves freely on the mounting bracket and is not too sti.

The bracket (and pivot arm) assembly needs to be screwed into each opposite

side of the cabinet in the right position for the lifter to work correctly.

To Find the Horizontal Positioning:

Take a bracket assembly and press it against the spa cabinet.

Gently slide the bracket assembly to the left as far as possible until the locknut

rests up against the vertical slat (see vertical slat marked in gure 2).

To Find the Vertical Positioning:

While keeping the horizontal position (pressed up against vertical slat)

gently slide the bracket up or down to your desired position while staying

between the marked red line in gure 2). The height in which you choose to

install is optional, as long as you match on resting position on both sides.

Choose a vertical position between the indicated

red space shown in gure 2 (between the top of the acrylic and the

second cabinet indentation down)

Step #1

Step #2

Pivot Arm

Mounting Bracket

Figure 1a Figure 1b Figure 1c

LMounting Bracket

Acrylic Shell

Cabinet

Mounting Bracket

300mm

Vertical Slat

Bushing

Pivot Arm

Washer Washer

Hex Cap Bolt

Locknut

Assemble each mounting bracket (H) as per ‘gure 1’.

Place a washer (M) on the hex cap bolt (K) and insert through the

pivot arm (D) surrounded by both support clips (A & B).

Continue to feed the hex cap bolt (K) through the mounting bracket (H),

using the lower hole as per ‘gure 1’. Thread a washer (M) and locknut (L)

onto the hex cap bolt end and tighten gently. Adjust locknut so pivot

arm (D) moves freely on the mounting bracket and is not too sti.

The bracket (and pivot arm) assembly needs to be screwed into each opposite

side of the cabinet in the right position for the lifter to work correctly.

To Find the Horizontal Positioning:

Take a bracket assembly and press it against the spa cabinet.

Gently slide the bracket assembly to the left as far as possible until the locknut

rests up against the vertical slat (see vertical slat marked in gure 2).

To Find the Vertical Positioning:

While keeping the horizontal position (pressed up against vertical slat)

gently slide the bracket up or down to your desired position while staying

between the marked red line in gure 2). The height in which you choose to

install is optional, as long as you match on resting position on both sides.

Choose a vertical position between the indicated

red space shown in gure 2 (between the top of the acrylic and the

second cabinet indentation down)

Step #1

Step #2

Pivot Arm

Mounting Bracket

TO ENSURE CORRECT INSTALLATION, READ THE ‘BEFORE GETTING STARTED’

SECTION ON PAGE 2 BEFORE PROCEEDING.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALPINE SPAS MODELS - 1/3

Step #3 - Preparing to Attach

For the cover lifter to be installed on an Alpine model, two of the

spa pool’s vertical slats must be removed and altered (cut) as they

sit in the way of the mounting brackets (H) - see ‘Figure 1c’ for

nished install example.

Only two of the vertical slats need to be altered on the spa pool

- these correspond to the two mounting bracket (H) positions on

your chosen sides of the spa pool.

Mounting Bracket

Vertical Slat

Step #4 - Remove the Vertical Slats

Remove each slat by undoing the 3x philips screws holding the slat to

the spa pool using a screwdriver or power drill. The removal of the slat

will leave a ‘gap in the cabinet’ between the cabinet panel and corner

panel which is used as a reference to line up the mounting bracket.

TIP: Before removing the slat from the spa pool, take note of the

orientation of the vertical slat by marking the top and bottom of the

slat on the back side, and also note which side of the spa pool

it belongs to.

Gap in cabinet

Slat

Fuji, Nordic, Belmont, Oregon, Nepal, Tibet, Vermont, Aspen, Nevada, Blackburn, Sierra, Matterhorn, Vancouver, Munro, Nevada, Entertainer

NOTE - Spa Pools over 2200mm require a smaller ‘safe verticle

zone’ of 180mm from the underside of the spa pool acrylic.

Figure 2 Figure 3a

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALPINE SPAS MODELS - 2/3

LMounting Bracket

Acrylic Shell

Cabinet

Mounting Bracket

300mm

Vertical Slat

Bushing

Pivot Arm

Washer Washer

Hex Cap Bolt

Locknut

Assemble each mounting bracket (H) as per ‘gure 1’.

Place a washer (M) on the hex cap bolt (K) and insert through the

pivot arm (D) surrounded by both support clips (A & B).

Continue to feed the hex cap bolt (K) through the mounting bracket (H),

using the lower hole as per ‘gure 1’. Thread a washer (M) and locknut (L)

onto the hex cap bolt end and tighten gently. Adjust locknut so pivot

arm (D) moves freely on the mounting bracket and is not too sti.

The bracket (and pivot arm) assembly needs to be screwed into each opposite

side of the cabinet in the right position for the lifter to work correctly.

To Find the Horizontal Positioning:

Take a bracket assembly and press it against the spa cabinet.

Gently slide the bracket assembly to the left as far as possible until the locknut

rests up against the vertical slat (see vertical slat marked in gure 2).

To Find the Vertical Positioning:

While keeping the horizontal position (pressed up against vertical slat)

gently slide the bracket up or down to your desired position while staying

between the marked red line in gure 2). The height in which you choose to

install is optional, as long as you match on resting position on both sides.

Choose a vertical position between the indicated

red space shown in gure 2 (between the top of the acrylic and the

second cabinet indentation down)

Step #1

Step #2

Pivot Arm

Mounting Bracket

Acrylic Shell

Cabinet

Mounting Bracket

Vertical Slat

Pivot Arm

300mm

Safe Vertical Zone

To Find the Vertical Positioning for the Mounting

Bracket (Figure 2):

Take the bracket assembly and press it against the spa cabinet. Vertically

align the mounting bracket anywhere within the 300mm from the

underside of the spa pool acrylic (shown as the green zone) in ‘Figure 2’.

Step #5 - Find the Correct Positioning for the Bracket Assemblies

Ensure the rounded edge of the mounting bracket points towards the back of the spa pool and

the pivot arm is connected to the lower pivot point as per ‘Figure 2.

Step #6 - Cutting the Vertical Slat

Each vertical slat should be cut into two separates pieces to t back onto the cabinet

panel and sit ush around the mounting bracket for a tidy appearance as per ‘Figure 1c’.

Be careful cutting the verticle slat and make sure to wear PPE. Power tools such as an electric jigsaw or skillsaw can be used.

To Find the Horizontal Positioning (Figure 3):

While keeping your chosen vertical position, move the bracket

assembly left or right so that the you line up the 1st screw

hole as per ‘Figure 3’ to be centered over the gap between the

panel and the corner.

Screw the bracket assemblies to the spa cabinet using the

#10 x 1” mounting screws (O) through the holes provided

around the perimeter of the mounting bracket as per

‘Figure 3a’. Repeat these steps on the opposite side.

Figure 3

Gap in cabinet

Top Piece

Using a tape-measure, measure the space on the cabinet in-between

the underside of the spa pool acrylic and the top edge of the mounting

bracket as per ‘Figure 4’.

Apply this measurement to the top section of the corresponding vertical

slat as per ‘Figure 4a’ and cut across the slat with a hack-saw.

Bottom Piece

Using a tape-measure, measure the space in-between the bottom

edge of the mounting bracket and the bottom edge of the spa pool

cabinet as per ‘Figure 4b’.

Apply this measurement to the bottom section of the corresponding

vertical slat as per ‘Figure 4c’ and cut across the slat with a hack-saw.

Figure 4 Figure 4b Figure 4cFigure 4a

Fuji, Nordic, Belmont, Oregon, Nepal, Tibet, Vermont, Aspen, Nevada, Blackburn, Sierra, Matterhorn, Vancouver, Munro, Nevada, Entertainer

Step #10 - Finishing Up

Snap the Small Black Dome Caps (Q) on the heads of all exposed #10

Mounting Screws. Push the 7/16” plug (R) into the unused hole on

the mounting bracket. Place the Large Black Dome Caps (P) onto the

exposed Hex Cap Bolt head.

If using the TowelMate (I), install onto the side of the Pivot Arm by

replacing the self-tapping screws where required (see ‘Figure 8’).

Removing Cabinetry with a Cover Lifter Installed

Start by making sure the cover is on the spa pool and the cover lifter is in the closed position. Remove the Small Black Dome Caps (Q) on the heads of the

#10 Mounting Screws holding the Mounting Bracket onto the cabinetry. Remove the 12x #10 Mounting Screws from each Mounting Bracket. It might

pay to get a second person to hold one side while it’s being removed to prevent the Mounting Bracket dropping, which could scratch the cabinetry.

When all #10 Mounting Screws have been removed from the Mounting Brackets, gently lift the cover lifter o the spa pool.

If you only require access to the cabinetry on one side, remove the 12x #10 Mounting Screws from the Mounting Bracket, then remove the 3x #10 self

tapping screws holding the Support Arm (A) to the Pivoting Arm (D).

You can now continue to remove the slats and cabinetry to gain access into the Spa. Once you have ready to reinstall the cover lifter, reinstall the cabi-

netry using its pre-existing screw holes. Then secure the Mounting Bracket back in place using the pre-existing screw holes. Snap the Small Black Dome

Caps (Q) on the heads of all exposed #10 Mounting Screws.

Step #9 - Set the Positioning of Centre

Coupler & Support Arms

Lay the lifter bar down on the spa cover. Adjust the Center Coupler

parallel to the spa cover’s hinge about 1cm away (see ‘Figure 7’).

Using the #10 self tapping screws (N), fasten the support arms to the

pivot arms and the center coupler piece.

Note: Before screwing in screws, be sure to rotate the center coupler

so that the screws are screwed in at a horizontal angle (parallel with

the spa cover). This way when the cover folds over the lifter bar,

the screw heads will not rub on the cover. Consider placing a piece

of cardboard underneath where you are screwing into the center

coupler to catch the metal shavings.

Step #8 - Setup the Support Arms &

Center Coupler

Insert the long end of the Support Arms (A) into the Center Coupler (C)

then slide the short ends of the Support Arms into the Pivot Arms (D)

(see ‘Figure 6’). We will refer to connected Support Arms and Center

Coupler bar as the ‘lifter bar’ for the next step.

Step #7 - Replacing the Slat Pieces

Replace the freshly cut top and bottom slat pieces into their correct

positions either side of the mounting bracket. Simply screw back in

to their pre-existing holes in the cabinet.

Covermate I Plastic

Installation Instructions - Updated as of 08/30/12

Step #1

Position the spa cover (in closed position) on the spa, making sure that all four corners

are properly positioned and square on the spa.

CMI-PLAST 120830

Step #2

Using the #10 x 1” mounting screws, attach the left and right Mounting Brackets to the

appropriate sides of the spa. Caution: to prevent splitting of wood cabinet, pre-drill

holes with a 1/16” drill bit. Mounting height is optional (see Fig. 1). By positioning the

Brackets 8” down from the top of the spa shell, approx. 9” of clearance behind the spa

will be needed. Mounted at this position approximately 75% of the spa cover will be

standing above the spa surface in the o position. By positioning the Brackets 12”

down from the top of the spa shell, approx. 15” clearance behind the spa will be

needed. Mounted at this position, approximately 50% of the spa cover will be standing

above the spa surface in the o position.

Step #3

Connect the Pivot Arms to the Mounting Brackets (see Fig. 2). After the Pivot Arms are

connected, tilt them back into the upright position.

Step #4

Insert the long end of the Support Arms into the Center Coupler piece. Then slide the

Support Arms into the Pivot Arms (see Fig. 3).

Step #5

Lay the Covermate on the spa cover. Adjust the Center Coupler piece and Support

Arms so that the Center Coupler is laying parallel to the spa cover’s hinge about 1/2”

away (see Fig. 4). Using the #10 self tapping screws, fasten the Support Arms to the

Pivot Arms and the Center Coupler piece. Note: Be sure to rotate the Center Coupler

so that the inserted screws are at a horizontal angle with the heads facing the back

of the spa.

Step #6

Slip the black hand grips to the edge of the spa cover and snap the Small Black Dome

Caps on the heads of all exposed #10 screw heads. Push the 7/16” plug into the

unused bracket (H) hole.

CAUTION!

Do not use the Covermate in high wind condition. Injury from the spa cover being

blown over and impacting the spa user can occur.

ITEM PART# DESCRIPTION QTY

A 100001 SUPPORT ARM 2

B 100002 FOAM GRIP 2

C 100003 CENTER COUPLER 1

D 100004 PIVOT ARM 2

E 100007 PIVOT ARM CAP 2

F 100344 BUSHING 4

H 100021 MOUNTING BRACKET 2

I 100008 TOWELMATE 1

K 100010 3/8 X 3" HEX CAP BOLT 2

L 100011 3/8 NYLON LOCKNUT 2

M 100012 3/8 FLAT WASHER 4

N 100013 #10 X 5/8" SELF TAPPING SCREWS 12

O 100014 #10 X 1" MOUNTING SCREWS 24

P 100015 LARGE BLACK DOME CAP 2

Q 100016 SMALL BLACK DOME CAP 36

R 100347 7/16" PLUG 2

Step #7

Attach the provided 3 hook TowelMate on the preferred side of your Covermate by

simply snapping it into place and inserting the middle self tapping screw (see Fig. 5).

Pivot Arm

Support Arm

Center Coupler

Cover Hinge

Figure 4 Figure 5

Figure 3

TowelMate

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 1

Mounting Bracket

Self-

Tapping

Screw

Mounting Bracket

Pivot Arm

Washer Washer

Hex Cap Bolt

Locknut

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALPINE SPAS MODELS - 3/3