HotSpring ACE User manual

A C E O WNER’S MANUAL

Contents
Important Safety Instructions (Read, Follow, and Save all Instructions)
WARNING: Operate the ACE salt water sanitizing system only according to
these instructions.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock, replace damaged cords or cell
immediately.
WARNING: Remove power from the spa before performing any maintenance or
troubleshooting.
CAUTION: To avoid damage DO NOT insert any objects into the cell.
CAUTION: Prior to using the spa, check water parameters and adjust if necessary.
When using the spa, the chlorine level must be maintained between 1-5 ppm.
Supplement sanitizer generation with dichlor or MPS as needed. The ACE
system is compatible with diclor, MPS, and silver. It is NOT compatible with
bromine or BaquaSpa®/biguanide.
Disclaimer: This is not an automatic water care system. The system is sized for
the typical user. Heavy users may need to supplement sanitizer generation with
dichlor or MPS.
THE SPA OWNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING PROPER
SANITARY WATER CONDITIONS.
Carefully review the entire Owner’s Manual before using the ACE system, and keep
this manual available for reference. If you have any questions about your ACE salt
water sanitizing system’s set-up, operation, or maintenance, contact your authorized
Hot Spring
®
dealer.
Overview of the ACE System..................1
Spa Owner Responsibilities ....................2
Getting Started ........................................2
Ongoing Maintenance .............................4
System Operation....................................5
Features & Settings.................................5
Cell Cleaning ...........................................8
Troubleshooting.......................................8
Important Additional Information............11
Specifications ........................................12
Customer Service..................................12
ACE®Salt Water Sanitizing System
Warranty ................................................12

ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System Page 1
Overview of the ACE System
The ACE salt water sanitizing system automatically generates powerful cleaners
to improve your hot tub ownership experience. The ACE system makes water care
easy, provides better quality water, and with proper care, allows spa water to last
much longer than with traditional water care – up to 12 months*.
*Visit www.hotspring.com/save-water for more information.
The ACE Cell - Installed in the circulation pump filter of your Highlife Collection or
Limelight Collection spa, the ACE cell contains a diamond electrode that generates
active oxygen, chlorine and other cleaners. Depending upon your spa usage, source
water make-up and proper cell maintenance, the average ACE cell life is 2-3 years.
To maximize ACE cell life: clean and inspect the cell a minimum of every 90
days, keep spa water balanced and maintain a calcium hardness level of 50 ppm.
The ACE Cleaning Cycle - The ACE system cleans the water with active oxygen
first, before it creates a measurable amount of chlorine. While the system is cleaning
the spa water, you will not get a chlorine reading on your test strip. If the chlorine
level is at 0, add bottled dichlor or allow the system more time to build and
maintain a chlorine level.
Calcium Hardness - To ensure effectiveness of the ACE system and maximize ACE
cell life, keep the calcium hardness level of the water between 25-75 PPM. There are
two options to reduce hardness:
1. Vanishing Act Calcium Remover. The standard Vanishing Act can remove
up to 100 ppms of calcium hardness from spa water after the hot tub has
been filled, or after the spa has been topped off. The XL version can remove
up to 300 ppm. Follow instructions on the box.
2. On the Go Portable Water Softener (sold separately). The On The Go
portable water softener allows you to fill your spa with softened water at start
up, and when you need to top the spa off. If you live in a region with hard
water we highly recommend the On the Go portable water softener.
Supplemental Water Care Products - To properly maintain your spa water you
will need additional water care products, some of which are included with your ACE
system. The items included are:
• Vanishing Act
®
Calcium Remover
• FreshWater
®
Spa Salt
• ACE Cell Cleaning Bottle
• FreshWater 5-way Test Strips
• FreshWater Salt Test Strips
Sold separately:
• Clean Screen®Pre-Filter
• Freshwater pH/Alkalinity Up and pH/Alkalinity down

• Freshwater Concentrated Chlorinating granules.
• On the Go Portable
®water softener (if needed)
• Vanishing Act™ Calcium Remover XL (if needed)
• Freshwater Cell Cleaner
For more information, including helpful videos, visit www.Hotspring.com/ACE
Spa Owner Responsibilities
Always maintain balanced spa water. Use a test strip to test/adjust water at
start-up and beyond. Ensure that pH and alkalinity levels stay within the OK range.
Keep total hardness between 25-75 ppm. Use the Vanishing Act calcium remover as
needed.
Test for chlorine regularly. Use a test strip. The recommended chlorine level is
between 1 and 5 ppm. Add FreshWater Concentrated Chlorinated Granules to
supplement the system as needed. You can reduce the chlorine level in the spa
water by adding hydrogen peroxide.
Adjust Output level as needed. To maximize cell life, keep the output level set as
low as possible to meet your needs. If your use pattern changes you will need to
adjust the output level up or down accordingly. The boost function or Freshwater
Concentrated Chlorinating Granules can be used on occasions when more chlorine
is needed.
Clean the ACE cell. The cell should be cleaned at a minimum of once every 90
days. High levels of hardness in the water will mean the cell should be cleaned more
frequently.
Keep the filters clean. Dirty filters can impact the ACE systems ability to maintain
spa water. Clean filters every 30 days to ensure optimal ACE system performance.
30-day check-up. Every 30 days test and balance spa water, confirm your output
setting, rinse filters, and shock with FreshWater
®Concentrated Chlorinating
Granules. A 30-day timer will remind you to perform this step.
Getting Started
Fill your Spa
Fill the spa using the CleanScreen
®
pre-filter (with the valve 50% closed at a 45º
angle). Soft water can be used to fill the spa.
If you have hard water, fill the spa using the On the Go portable water softener or
other soft water source. Ensure hardness no lower than 25 ppm by topping the spa
off with a small amount of tap water.
If you are filling with well water or have metal issues see TREATING FOR METALS
in the troubleshooting section for additional instructions.
NOTE: If you are not filling your spa for the first time, clean your filters with Filter
Cleaner or replace with new filters, before refilling spa.
Page 2 ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System

System Start-up
1. Test and balance spa water using a 5-way test strip. Measure pH, Total
Alkalinity, and Hardness levels, to determine if your water is in the "OK" ranges
specified for the ACE system (see table below) and adjust as needed.
ACE System
Parameter
Target Min - ”OK” Range - Max
Salt 1750 ppm 1500 ppm 2000 ppm
Hardness 50 ppm 25 ppm 75 ppm
Alkalinity 80 ppm 40 ppm 120 ppm
pH 7.4 7.2 7.8
Chlorine 3 ppm 1 ppm 5 ppm
2. Reduce Hardness if needed. Using the Vanishing Act calcium remover may
take 24 hours or longer. Rinse the calcium remover before use, and follow
instructions on the box. Continue the start-up process while the calcium remover
is working; be sure to reposition the bag after jets are turned on/off. Ensure that
the calcium level reaches 50 ppm. Additional Vanishing Acts may be required.
3. Treat for metals if needed. See troubleshooting.
Spa Model Salt
(cups) or (grams)
Estimated
Increase in ppm
per 1 cup/290g
Grandee
®
/NXT 9.5 2750 170 ppm
Envoy
®
/NXT 8 2500 170 ppm
Aria
®
7.5 2200 210 ppm
Vanguard
®
7.75 2250 190 ppm
Sovereign
®
6.75 1950 220 ppm
Prodigy
®
6.25 1800 235 ppm
Jetsetter
®
/NXT 4.0 1150 360 ppm
Gleam
®
9.5 2750 170 ppm
Pulse
®
7 2030 210 ppm
Flair
®
6 1750 250 ppm
Bolt
®
5.5 1595 275 ppm
Glow
®
5 1450 310 ppm
4. Add Salt based on your spa model (see table) one cup at a time to the filter
compartment with jets running. Run jets for 5 minutes to allow salt to dissolve.
Verify salt level with salt test strips.
ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System Page 3

5. Add FreshWater® Concentrated Chlorinated Granules as directed on the
bottle to create a chlorine residual of 5 ppm. Allow jets to run for 5 minutes per
jet system, rotating diverter valves.
6. Turn the ACE system ON. Use your spa’s control panel.
7. Enter Output level. Access the Water Care menu. Scroll through Output Levels
(0=system off, 10=maximum output) by pressing the soft button near the word
Output on the Standard Control Panel or press the or on the Wireless
Remote Control Panel. The recommended Output Level at start-up is between 3
and 5 depending on the spa size.
Note: It may take up to 24 hours for the ACE System Status to register in the
green/OK range of the system status bar.
24 Hours Later
Test spa water with a FreshWater 5-way test strip. Adjust alkalinity and pH as
needed. If hardness is above 50 ppm, use additional calcium removers at this
time.
If there is not a measurable amount of chlorine in the spa water after 24 hours,
the ACE system is still cleaning the water. If there are contaminants in the fill
water or if you use the spa heavily initially, it may take the ACE system a few
days to clean the spa water and keep up with your chlorine demand.
You can still enjoy your spa, simply add FreshWater Concentrated Chlorinated
Granules to the water to achieve a chlorine level of 3 ppm. Repeat this as
needed until your test strip shows that the ACE system is sustaining a minimum
of 1 ppm residual of chlorine in the water.
Ongoing Maintenance
Test spa water with a 5-way strip regularly (at least once every A week)
- The pH level may increase during the first few weeks after start-up. Add pH
down if needed.
- Use the Vanishing Act calcium remover to reduce hardness to 50 ppm as needed.
- Adjust output setting to maintain 1-5 ppm chlorine.
Monthly: Test the water, shock & confirm output level
- Ensure water is balanced. Confirm/adjust output setting via the control panel.
- Shock the water with granular chlorine to 5ppm and flush all jet systems.
- Inspect Cell.
Clean the ACE Cell (at least once every 90 days)
- Visually inspect the ACE cell for calcium scale between the plates (if fill water
has hardness over 50ppm inspect cell monthly).
- Clean the cell as needed, or at least once every three months following
instruction on the cell cleaning solution or cell cleaning bottle.
Page 4 ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System

System Operation
Bartop Control Panel
Access the water care menu by pressing the Options hard key on the Highlife
Collection bartop control panel. Within the water care screen, shown below, you can
easily verify the System Status, test the system, or activate a system Boost.
Test System Status
Press Soft key to test
and refresh display
Displays Output Setting
Press Soft key to scroll
through settings.
Display Boost Status
Press Soft key to
turn Boost on or off
System Status Message
is displayed and
provides instructions
for operation.
Wireless Remote Control Panel
Access the water care menu by pressing the water care icon on the Home screen.
Within the water care screen, you can easily verify the System Status, adjust
output,test system or activate a system Boost.
Features & Settings
Output Level:
The ACE system cleans the water throughout the day. The output setting of 0 -10
determines how long the cell runs each day. Observe your usage patterns and
measure the chlorine level before each use to guide your output setting. Adjust
output up or down to increase or decrease output. Keep your setting as low as
possible to maintain 1-5 pm chlorine. Use Boost or add Freshwater Concentrated
Chlorine Granules for occasional high use situations.
Output Settings
0 No output/System off
1 Vacation/low output mode
2-7 Normal use settings (recommended)
8-9 High use settings
10 Maximum system output, equal to Boost (system runs constantly)
ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System Page 5

Turning the ACE System off
By setting Output to 0, the system will stop generating sanitizers. You will need to
manually maintain the sanitizer level using FreshWater Concentrated Chlorinated
Granules if the ACE system is off.
Vacation or limited use
When the spa is not going to be in use, shock the spa by increasing chlorine to 3-5
ppm and then run the automatic clean cycle. Clean or replace filters. Lower Output to
2. For extended vacations, lower Output to 1 for low output mode.
Boost:
The Boost feature activates the ACE cell for 24 hours of consistent operation,
overriding the output setting. The system returns to its previous setting once the
Boost cycle is over. Use the Boost function to gradually increase the chlorine level
prior to a high use situation.
Freshwater Concentrated Chlorine Granules can also be added to create an
immediate chlorine residual to remove bather load and assist the ACE system in
building a sanitizer residual.
30 Day Reminder:
You must check your spa water at least once every 30 days. To remind you, the
green light on the logo light and the ACE water care icon will flash and the status
message will read, Check Water/Confirm Output at the end of each 30-day cycle.
1. Test and balance spa water using a 5-way test strip. Measure chlorine, pH,
Total Alkalinity, and Hardness levels, to determine if your water is in the “OK”
ranges specified for the ACE system. Adjust as needed. Reduce Hardness to 50
ppm using the Vanishing Act calcium remover if needed.
2. Confirm output setting. Access the Water Care menu. To clear the 30 day
reminder:
Standard Control Panel
• Press the Output soft key.
• Reset your Output setting as needed to maintain a 1-5 ppm chlorine residual.
Wireless Remote Control Panel
• Press or to lower or raise OUTPUT.
• Reset your Output setting as needed to maintain a 1-5 ppm chlorine residual.
3. Superchlorinate/Shock spa water. Add granular sodium dichlor as directed on
the bottle to bring the spa water to 5ppm. Allow jets to run for 5 minutes per jet
system, rotating any diverter valves.
The 30-day timer resets any time the output setting is adjusted. If the output setting
is not confirmed at the 30 day reminder, the ACE system will automatically lower the
output setting.
Page 6 ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System

Day 30: Maintenance reminder, reconfirm output level
Day 33: Output setting automatically lowered to 2
Day 40: Output setting automatically lowered to 1 (Vacation/Low Output Mode).
Status Test:
The status test shows you if the ACE is performing optimally. It reflects a number
of elements that can impact performance including the salt level, cell status (clean/
dirty), filter status (clean/dirty), and water temperature. The status automatically
updates every six hours and prior to a Boost. You can manually update system status
by activating the status test using your control panel.
OK: Your cell and water are working together to clean the water.
LOW: Your system needs your attention and is NOT generating cleaners at this time.
Your cell may be dirty, or your salt level may be low. See TROUBLESHOOTING
HIGH: Your system needs your attention and is NOT generating cleaners at this time.
Your salt level is high. See TROUBLESHOOTING
Status Message On Screen Meaning or Action Required
Water Care System
Functioning
Operating normally
Water Care System
Off
System Off
Output setting 0
Water Care System
Low Output
Low Output
Output setting 1
Water Care System
Boosting - Output 10
Increasing Chlorine level
Output setting 10 for 24 hours
Water Care System
Testing Water
System test initiated/in progress
Water Care System
Check Water/Conrm Output
Test Water, Update Output Setting
Water Care System
Ofine - Circ Pump
ACE®is disabled for 8 hours when
Summer Timer is active
Water Care System
Ofine - High Salt
Non-operational
High salt level detected -
Correct salt level; Clean/Inspect Cell
Water Care System
Ofine - Inspect Cell/Check Salt
Clean/Inspect cell for scale, clean
cell if needed. Test water with salt
test strips and add salt if needed
Water Care System
Contact Dealer For Service
Contact Dealer For Service
ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System Page 7

Cell Cleaning
The cell should be cleaned a minimum of every 3 months. A dirty cell requires the
ACE system to work harder than necessary, and can shorten the life of the cell. A
dirty cell can also cause your System Status to register low, (in the yellow) and cause
the system to go off line.
Prevent Cell Damage: NEVER insert anything into the cell or pressure wash it. This
will damage the electrodes.
1. Turn off the power to the spa. Open the spa cover and remove the filter lid.
2. Unscrew gray filter cap and gently pull the cell out of the filter.
3. Inspect the cell for scale by looking between the electrodes.
4. Unscrew the lid to the ACE Cell Cleaner (or create a cleaning solution by fol-
lowing the instruction on the cell cleaning bottle included with the ACE system.)
NOTE: A stronger cleaning solution of 1 part muriatic pool acid and 10 parts
water, or a commercial cell cleaner, can be used if scale is excessive.
5. Remove the lid and place the ACE cell in the solution, ensuring that the bottom
of cell is floating.
6. Soak the cell for 10 minutes or until bubbles stop coming from the cell. If bubbles
are still releasing from the cell after 10 minutes, continue soaking until the cell is
clean and all scale is removed.
7. Rinse cell and inspect for cleaning completion. Repeat as needed.
8. Replace cell into the filter standpipe. Screw on the gray filter cap, replace the
filter lid, and power up the spa. Ensure that the cell is at the bottom of the filter
standpipe by feeling for the pull of the pump’s suction.
Troubleshooting
Treating for Metals:
High metal content can cause staining and discolored water. It’s important that
metals are removed before starting up the ACE system.
1. Fill the spa with the Clean Screen®pre-filter, ensuring that the valve is only 50%
open (45° angle).
2. Ensure that there is no ozone unit installed and that the ACE system is turned off.
3. Add FreshWater Stain & Scale metal control according to the instructions on the
bottle.
4. Place a Vanishing Act Calcium remover over the heater return.
5. DO NOT add oxidizers (chlorine, ozone, ACE) for at least 24 hours.
Flashing On/Ready light and Water Care Icon
The green ON indicator light, in the Hot Spring logo on the front of your spa will
slowly flash when the ACE system requires attention. The water care icon on the
Page 8 ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System