Hotspot Tempo User manual

Before you begin reviewing the manual, please take a moment to register your warranty. Doing so will assist us in contacting you for any
important product notification.
Prior to registering, you will need the serial number that is located within the equipment compartment of your HOT SPOT spa.
To register please go to http:/www.hotspring.com/owners/product-registration or simply scan the QR code below:
FOR YOUR RECORDS
Spa Model/Serial Number:
Date Purchased:
Dealer:
Address:
Cover Serial Number:
Accessory Serial Number:
If you have any questions about any aspect of your spa's set-up, operation or maintenance, contact your authorized HOT SPRING
dealership. They are trained professionals who are familiar with the product as well as new spa ownership concerns. Their expertise will
facilitate the enjoyment of your new HOT SPOT spa.
IMPORTANT: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation reserves the right to change specifications, or design, without notification and without
incurring any obligation.
Important!
In most cities and counties, permits will be required for the installation of electrical circuits or the construction of exterior
surfaces (decks and gazebos). In addition, some communities have adopted residential barrier codes which may require
fencing and/or self-closing gates on the property to prevent unsupervised access to a pool (or spa) by children under 5 years
of age. Your HOT SPOT spa is equipped with a locking cover that meets the ASTM F1346-91 Standard for Safety Covers
and as a result, is usually exempt from most barrier requirements. As a general practice, your local Building Department will
inform you of any applicable barrier requirements at the time a permit is obtained for the installation of an electrical circuit.
Your HOT SPRING dealer can provide information on which permits may be required.
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation congratulates you on your decision to enjoy the
finest spa available... Welcome to the growing family of HOT SPOT spa owners.
Safety Information Page ClipboardPageNumber

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .............................. 1
IMPORTANT
SPA INSTRUCTIONS............................................................. 3
GETTING STARTED
SPA FEATURES TEMPO RELAY & RHYTHM MODELS ... 4
SPA FEATURES SX & TX MODELS..................................... 5
QUICK START-UP INSTRUCTIONS .................................... 6
START-UP ............................................................................... 7
PRIMING THE PUMP(S)........................................................ 8
WATER QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE
BASIC INFORMATION........................................................... 9
HOW TO ADD CHEMICALS
TO THE WATER...................................................................... 9
FUNDAMENTALS OF
WATER MAINTENANCE ..................................................... 10
THE HOT SPOT SPA WATER
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM............................................... 11
VACATION WATER CARE INSTRUCTIONS..................... 12
WATER TERMINOLOGY ..................................................... 13
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
SPA CONTROL PANEL........................................................ 14
SYSTEM MODE ................................................................... 14
CLEANING MODE................................................................ 14
TOOLS MENU....................................................................... 15
AUDIO MENU (OPTIONAL)................................................. 16
JET MENU
TEMPO
®
(MODEL TEM) ..................................................... 19
RELAY
®
(MODEL REL) ...................................................... 20
RHYTHM
®
(MODEL RHY)................................................... 21
SX (MODEL SX) ................................................................... 22
TX (MODEL TX) ................................................................... 23
SPA CARE AND MAINTENANCE
DRAIN & REFILL INSTRUCTIONS..................................... 24
PREVENTION OF FREEZING ............................................ 24
FILTER SYSTEM .................................................................. 25
FILTER CARTRIDGES
REMOVAL & CLEANING ..................................................... 25
CARE OF THE SPA PILLOWS............................................ 25
CARE OF THE EXTERIOR.................................................. 26
CARE OF THE SPA CABINET ............................................ 26
CARE OF THE SPA COVER ............................................... 26
COVER LIFTER SYSTEM ................................................... 26
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
230 VOLT PERMANENTLY CONNECTED MODELS ...... 28
230 VOLT CONVERSION 30 OR 50 AMP
(SX & TX ONLY).................................................................... 29
115 VOLT CONVERSION 30 AMP (SX & TX ONLY)......... 29
115 VOLT GFCI SX & TX...................................................... 30
115 VOLT OPERATION (60HzONLY) ................................ 30
SERVICE INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................. 31
GFCI AND HIGH LIMIT THERMOSTAT.............................. 31
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE INFORMATION.................. 31
ACTS INVALIDATING WARRANTY.................................... 31
DISCLAIMERS...................................................................... 31
WATKINS CUSTOMER SERVICE...................................... 32
TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................................... 32
TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................................... 33
SPA SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................ 34
LIMITED WARRANTY.......................................................... 35

Page 1
Safety Information
Safety InformatIon
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
(READ AND FOLLOW ALL
INSTRUCTIONS)
AVOIDING THE RISK TO CHILDREN
DANGER - RISK OF CHILD DROWNING
Extreme caution must be exercised to prevent unauthorized access
by children. To avoid accidents, ensure that children cannot use a spa
unless they are supervised at all times.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, do not permit children to use this spa unless
they are closely supervised at all times.
• To reduce the risk of injury, lower water temperatures are
recommended for young children. Children are especially sensitive to
hot water.
• Extreme caution must be exercised to prevent unauthorized access
by children. To avoid accidents, ensure that children cannot use a spa
unless they are supervised at all times.
DO:
• Make sure you always lock the child resistant locks after using the
spa for your children’s safety. Every HOT SPOT spa is equipped with
a locking cover that meets the ASTM F1346-91 Standard for Safety
Covers.
• Test the water temperature with your hand before allowing children to
enter the spa to be sure that it’s comfortable. Children are especially
sensitive to hot water.
• Remind children that wet surfaces can be very slippery. Make sure
that children are careful when entering or exiting the spa.
DON'T:
• Allow children to climb onto the spa cover.
• Allow children to have unsupervised access to the spa.
AVOIDING THE RISK OF ELECTROCUTION
DANGER - RISK OF ELECTROCUTION
• Connect only to a grounded source.
• Do not bury the power cord. A buried power cord may result in death,
or serious personal injury due to electrocution if direct burial-type cable
is not used, or if improper digging occurs.
• A ground terminal (pressure wire connector) is provided on the control
box inside the unit to permit connection of a minimum No. 8 AWG
(8.4 mm²) solid copper bonding conductor between this point and
any metal equipment, metal water pipe, metal enclosures of electrical
equipment, or conduit within five feet (1.5 m) of the unit as needed to
comply with local requirements.
• Do not operate the audio main controls while inside the spa (if spa is
equipped with an audio component).
• Do not connect any auxiliary components (for example, cable
additional speakers, headphones, additional audio components) to the
audio system unless approved by Watkins Manufacturing Corporation .
• Do not self service audio component by opening spa door as this may
expose dangerous voltage or other risk of injury. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
• Do not attach an external antennae to a spa audio system unless
installed by a licensed electrician in accordance with Article 810 of the
National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.
WARNING
• To reduce the risk of electrical shock, replace a damaged cord
immediately. Failure to do so may result in death or serious personal
injury due to electrocution.
• Your spa is provided with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
for user and equipment protection. To ensure proper operation of this
important safety device, test according to the following instructions per
electrical configuration.
• Cord-Connected 115 volt, 15 or 20 amp models: The GFCI is
located at the end of the power cord. Before each use, with the unit
operating, push the TEST button. The unit should stop operating and
the GFCI power indicator will go out. Wait 30 seconds and then reset
the GFCI by pushing the RESET button. The GFCI power indicator will
turn on, restoring power to the spa. If the interrupter does not perform
in this manner, there may be an electrical malfunction and with it, the
possibility of an electric shock. Disconnect the power until the problem
has been corrected.
• 115 volt 30 amp hard wired, 230 volt permanently installed or
converted models:
• A ground terminal is provided on the terminal block (TB-1, system
ground terminal) located inside the control box. To reduce the risk
of electric shock, connect this terminal to the grounding terminal
of your electrical service or supply panel with a continuous green,
insulated copper wire. The wire must be equivalent in size to the
circuit conductors supplying the equipment. In addition, a bonding
terminal (pressure wire connector) is provided on the outside of
the control box for bonding to local ground points. To reduce the
risk of electric shock, this connector should be bonded with a No.
8 AWG (8.4 mm²) solid copper wire to any metal ladders, water
pipes, or other metal within 5 feet (1.5 m) of the spa to comply with
local requirements. The means of disconnection must be readily
accessible, but must be installed at least 5 feet (1.5 m) from the
spa.
• Your spa is provided with a suitably rated circuit breaker to open all
ungrounded supply conductors.
• Your spa uses ground fault circuit interrupters in the electrical
subpanel. Before each use of the spa and with the unit operating,
push the TEST button on each breaker. The switch should click
over to the “Trip” position. Wait 30 seconds and reset each GFCI
breaker by switching it completely off and then completely on.
The switch should then stay on. If either of the interrupters does
not perform in this manner, it is an indication of an electrical
malfunction and the possibility of an electric shock. Disconnect the
power until the fault has been identified and corrected.
IMPORTANT: Failure to wait 30 seconds before resetting the GFCI
may cause the spa’s Power Indicator (on the control panel) to blink. If
this occurs, repeat the GFCI test procedure.

Page 2 Safety Information
DANGER - RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
• Install at least 5 feet (1.5 m) from all metal surfaces. A spa may
be installed within 5 feet of a metal surface if each metal surface is
permanently connected by a minimum No. 8 AWG (8.4 mm²) solid
copper conductor attached to the wire ground connector on the
terminal box that is provided for this purpose if in accordance with
National Electrical Code ANSI/NMFPA70-1993.
• Do not permit any electrical appliances, such as a light, telephone,
radio, or television within 5 feet (1.5 m) of a spa. Failure to maintain
a safe distance may result in death, or serious personal injury due to
electrocution, if the appliance should fall into the spa.
• Install your spa is such a way that drainage is away from the electrical
compartment and from all electrical components.
DO:
• Be sure your spa is connected to the power supply correctly - use a
licensed electrical contractor.
• Disconnect the spa from the power supply before draining the spa or
servicing the electrical components.
• Test the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter(s) before each use.
• Replace audio components only with identical components (if your spa
is equipped with an audio component).
DON'T:
• Use the spa with the equipment compartment door removed.
• Place electrical appliances within 5 feet (1.5m) of the spa.
• Use an extension cord to connect the spa to its power source. The
cord may not be properly grounded and the connection is a shock
hazard. An extension cord may cause a voltage drop, which will cause
overheating of the jet pump motor and motor damage.
• Attempt to open the electrical control box. There are no user serviceable
parts inside.
RISKS TO AVOID
DANGER - RISK OF INJURY
• To reduce the risk of injury to persons, DO NOT remove suction fittings
(filter standpipes) located in the filter compartment.
• The suction fittings in the spa are sized to match the specific water
flow created by the pump. Never replace a suction fitting with one
rated less than the flow rate marked on the original suction fitting.
• There is a danger of slipping and falling. Remember that wet surfaces
can be very slippery. Take care when entering or exiting the spa.
• Never operate spa if the suction fittings are broken or missing.
• People with infectious diseases should not use the spa.
• Keep any loose articles of clothing, long hair, or hanging jewelry away
from rotating jets or other moving components.
INCREASED SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDICATION
• The use of drugs, alcohol may cause unconsciousness with the
possibility of drowning.
• Persons using medications should consult a physician before using
a spa; some medication may cause a user to become drowsy, while
other medication may affect heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation.
• Persons taking medications which induce drowsiness, such as
tranquilizers, antihistamines, or anticoagulants should not use the spa.
HEALTH PROBLEMS AFFECTED BY SPA USE
• Pregnant women should consult a physician before using spa.
• Persons suffering from obesity, or with a medical history of heart
disease, low or high blood pressure, circulatory system problems, or
diabetes should consult a physician before using spa.
UNCLEAN WATER
• Keep the water clean and sanitized with correct chemical care. The
recommended levels for your HOT SPRING spa are:
Free Available Chlorine:
3.0-5.0 ppm
Total Alkalinity:
40-120 ppm
Water pH:
7.2-7.8
Calcium Hardness:
50-150 ppm
• Refer to Water Quality and Maintenance section for complete
instructions.
IMPORTANT: Turn on the jet pump for a least ten minutes after adding
ANY spa water chemicals into the filter compartment.
Clean the filter cartridges monthly to remove debris and mineral buildup
which may affect the performance of the hydromassage jets, limit the
flow, or trip the high limit thermostat, which will turn off the entire spa.
AVOIDING THE RISK OF HYPERTHERMIA
Prolonged immersion in hot water can result in HYPERTHERMIA, a
dangerous condition which occurs when the internal temperature of
the body reaches a level above normal 98.6°F (37°C). The symptoms
of hyperthermia include unawareness of impending hazard, failure to
perceive heat, failure to recognize the need to exit the spa, physical
inability to exit the spa, fetal damage in pregnant women, and
unconsciousness resulting in a danger of drowning.
WARNING
The use of alcohol, drugs, or medication can greatly increase the risk of
fatal hyperthermia in hot tubs and spas.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY
• The water in the spa should never exceed 104°F (40°C). Water
temperatures between 100°F and 104°F (36°C and 40°C) are
considered safe for a healthy adult. Lower water temperatures are
recommended for extended use (exceeding ten minutes) and for
young children. Extended use can cause hyperthermia.
• Pregnant or possibly pregnant women should limit spa water
temperatures to 100°F (36°C). Failure to do so may result in
permanent injury to your baby.
• Do not use spa immediately following strenuous exercise.