Page 12 Operating Instructions
OPERATINg INSTRUCTIONS
START-UP ANd REFIll PROCEdURES
Your Hot Spot®
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.
CAUTIONS
• Donotfillthespawithhotwater,astrippingofthehigh-limitthermostatmayresult.
• DONOTCONNECTPOWERTOANEMPTYSPA.Powertothespaautomaticallyactivatescriticalcomponentswithinthespa,such
as controls, heater, and other systems. If power is supplied to these components prior to the spa being filled, the components will be
damaged, and this may result in a non-warranty component failure.
Do not leave spa uncovered when filling. Solar distress can damage shell.•
• Donotuseyourspaafterfillinguntilallofthestepslistedbelowarecompleted.
• Donotaddchlorineiftreatingyourspawithpolyhexamethylenebiguanide(Biguanide,PHMB,eg.BaquaSpa®) sanitizer.
• Beforefillingyourspaforthefirsttime,removetheequipmentcompartmentdoorandchecktoensurethattheunionsoneithersideofthe
pump(s) and heater are hand-tight.
1. Ensure the drain is closed. Insert the end of a garden hose into the filter compartment and begin filling the spa. The water level of your Hot
Spot spa should be maintained at a level one inch above the highest jet in the spa.
RECOMMENDED: Use the Clean Screen™pre-filter to remove unwanted contanimants from the tap water.
IMPORTANT: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend that the spa be filled with “softened” water, as this may damage the
spa’s equipment.
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 models: 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 and reset the GFCI breaker. Close and secure the subpanel door.
3. The jet pump(s), heating system and all internal plumbing will achieve a partial prime as the spa is filled. To check the operation of the jet
system and to purge any remaining air from the heating system, push the JETS button on the control pad twice (three times for TempoTM) to
make the jet pump(s) run on high speed for one minute. Once the jet system is fully operational (as indicated by strong, non-surging jets),
priming of the spa is complete. If you do not feel a steady stream of water from your jets, refer to the instructions for priming the pump in the
SPATROUBLESHOOTING section in the back of this manual.
4. Adjust Total Alkalinity (TA) to 80 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) to 100 ppm, then spa water pH to between 7.4 and 7.6. These procedures are
listed in the “Water Quality and Maintenance” section.
IMPORTANT: Add spa water chemicals directly into the filter compartment after activating “Clean Cycle” for Tempo and RelayTM spas only
(Press SET, then JETS button). Press Jets button 3 times for SprintTM and 2 times for DashTM and manually shut off after 10 minutes.
OPERATION NOTE: Adjusting the TotalAlkalinity 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. Superchlorinate the spa water by adding 1½teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons (950 liters) of spa water. The jet pump
should be running on high speed when adding the chlorine, and remain on high to circulate the spa water for a ten-minute period.
6. Set the temperature control to the desired temperature between 100ºF (38ºC) and 104ºF (40ºC), then place the cover on the spa and allow the
water temperature to stabilize (approximately 24 hours). Make sure you secure the cover in place using the cover locks. Periodically check the
spa water temperature. When the water temperature climbs above 90ºF (32ºC), proceed to the next step.
7. Press the JETS button three times (twice for Dash) and run the pump on high for 10 minutes to circulate the spa water. After the filter cycle is
complete, test the spa water for FreeAvailable Chlorine (FAC) residual, If the residual is between 3 and 5 ppm on the test strips (found in most
chemical test kits) go on to the next step. If the residual is less than 3 ppm, superchlorinate the spa water by adding 1½teaspoons of chlorine
(sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons (950 liters) of spa water, while the jet pump is running on high. Run the jet pump on high to circulate the spa
water for a ten-minute period.
8. Recheck the Total Alkalinity (TA) at 80 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) at 100 ppm, then spa water pH at between 7.4 and 7.6.
OPERATION NOTE: Make sure you adjust you TotalAlkalinity 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
chlorine level remains between 3 ppm and 5 ppm.
9. The spa temperature is pre-programmed to reach 100ºF (38ºC), and will normally do so within 18 to 24 hours. You may raise the water
temperature by pressing the Temp Up (
) button on the control panel, or lower it by pressing the Temp down () button.After a few hours
the water temperature will remain within 3ºF (1.5ºC) of your selected temperature.