HotSpring ACE User manual

Contents
Welcome............................................................................1
Product Contents...............................................................1
Overview of the ACE System ............................................1
Spa Owner Responsibilities...............................................2
System Status ..................................................................2
Before Start-Up..................................................................3
ACE Water Care System Spa Water Guidelines ...............3
Start-Up and Refill Procedures..........................................3
Spa Model Table................................................................4
30-Day Check Up .............................................................5
Chlorine Boost ..................................................................6
Salt Test .............................................................................7
Cell Cleaning .....................................................................8
IQ 2020 2
®Remote Control (optional)................................8
Tips ....................................................................................8
Troubleshooting .................................................................9
Status/Service Messages ................................................10
Customer Service ............................................................10
Warranty ..........................................................................11
This Owner’s Manual will acquaint you with the operation of the ACE water care
system. We suggest that you carefully review the entire Owner’s Manual before us-
ing the ACE water care system. Please keep this manual available for reference. If
you have any questions about any aspect of your ACE water care system’s set-up,
operation, or maintenance, contact your authorized Hot Spring® dealer.
THE SPA OWNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAINTAINING PROPER SANITARY WATER CONDITIONS.
IMPORTANT:
When using the spa, the chlorine level must be maintained between 3-5 ppm.•
Ozone, Dichlor, MPS, and sliver are compatible with the ACE system.•
The ACE system is • NOT compatible with bromine or BaquaSpa®/biguanide.
Disclaimer: T his is not an automatic water care system. The system is sized for
the typical user. Heavy users may need to supplement generation with dichlor or
MPS.

ACE Water Care System Page 1
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the ACE water care system – a sanitizer
generating system that, when used as directed, makes it easy to keep spa water
sparkling clean.
Product Contents
Your ACE water care system includes:
Owner’s Manual•
Controller (a)•
Cell (b)•
Calcium Filter (c)•
Spa Salt (d)•
Installation Instructions•
NOTE: Installation of the ACE water care system must be performed by an
authorized Hot Spring technician to insure proper operation.The ACE water care
system is compatible with all Hot Spring spas built after August 1, 2009. Your
local Hot Spring dealer can verify if your spa is ACE water care system-ready.
Purchase these items separately from your local Hot Spring dealer. Not included:
Hot Spring Freshwater Spa Care Kit – includes Concentrated Chlorinating•
Granules, MPS Oxidizer, pH Up, pH Down, Defoamer, Stain & Scale, 5-Way
Test Strips, and a Spa Water Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide.
FreshStart10,000• ®Pre-Filter
Salt test strips (optional)•
Overview of the ACE System
The ACE water care system makes water care easy by:
Turning salt into powerful mixed oxidants like chlorine, ozone, and Potassium•
Peroxymonosulfate (MPS) to keep water crystal clear.
Generating the right amount of sanitizer needed based on spa size and use•
level – easily input through your spa’s control panel.
Testing for high or low salt levels, using the ACE system salt test.•
Increasing chlorine levels as needed with a convenient Boost function.•
Enjoy peace of mind while the illuminated water care icon and system status
messages on the spa’s main control panel tell you the ACE system is working. This
system greatly reduces the time and expense of maintaining your spa water, so you
can relax and enjoy.
abcd

Spa Owner Responsibilities
Balancing the pH level and Total Alkalinity to the “OK” range.Note: The•
generation of sanitizer from salt will cause the pH to drift upwards over time.
Check the pH level at least once a month and adjust as needed to maintain
water quality. An extensively high pH will cause premature failure of the system,
cloudy water, and decreased effectiveness of the sanitizer.
Maintaining low Hardness levels using the Watkins Calcium Filter as needed.•
Note: The ACE system works best with low levels of calcium and minerals in
the water. Softened water prolongs the equipment life, while enhancing the spa
experience. The ideal hardness level when using the ACE system is between
25 – 75 ppm.
Inputting spa size and spa use parameters.•
Check chlorine level weekly after initial start up to determine best Use Level to•
maintain healthy water quality.
Conduct a 30-day check up, including testing and balancing spa water, and•
confirming Use Level.
NOTE: The water care icon will flash as a reminder when the 30-day cycle is over.
Establishing a chlorine residual at start up.•
Manually flushing plumbing lines by super-chlorinating or “shocking” the spa monthly.•
IMPORTANT: Ensure that the chlorine level is always between 3-5 ppm before using
the spa. Add sodium dichlor manually if needed.
System Status
Water Care Icon – The water care icon, located on the icon bar below the •
screen of the main control panel, will only be illuminated once the ACE
water care system is installed.
The icon will flash when
the ACE system requires
attention.
Status Messages – The ACE •
system provides feedback via
the spa’s main control panel.
A status message will always
be displayed on the main ACE
water care system screen.
Refer to the Status/Service Messages section for a complete listing of
system status messages and their meanings.
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Before Start-Up
You will need a Hot Spring1. ®FreshWater®Spa Care Kit, which contains test
strips and balancers required each time you fill and refill your water along with a
FreshStart10,000®pre-filter, You can purchase these items from your local Hot
Spring dealer.
Fill your spa with fresh water using the FreshStart 10,000 Pre Filter.2.
NOTE: If you are not filling your spa for the first time, clean your filters with
FreshWater Filter Cleaner or replace with new filters, before refilling spa with
fresh water.
Once spa is filled, use a FreshWater test strip to measure the pH, Total Alkalinity,3.
and Hardness. Use the table below to determine if your spa water is in the “OK”
range.
ACE Water Care System Spa Water Guidelines
Parameter Target Min - ”OK” Range - Max
Salt 1000 ppm 750 1500
Hardness 50 ppm 25 ppm 75 ppm
Alkalinity 80 40 120
pH 7.4 7.0 7.6
Chlorine 3 3 5
Adjust pH and Total Alkalinity following instructions in the Water Quality and4.
Maintenance section of your spa’s Owner’s Manual.
To decrease the Hardness level of the water place the Calcium Filter over the5.
heater return at the bottom of the spa for up to 24 hours.
NOTE: The pH, Total Alkalinity and Hardness must be in the “OK” range as
indicated in the table above, before starting the ACE system.
Start-Up and Refill Procedures
At this point your spa should have balanced water, new or properly cleaned filters,
and power on.
STEP 1 – Add Salt
With the jets running, slowly add the directed amount of salt (see SPA MODEL1.
table on the following page) to the main tub, one cup at a time until all salt is
added.
Run jets an additional 5 minutes to ensure salt is totally dissolved. Note: After2.
adding the salt at start-up, the display may read low salt if water temperature
is low. Allow the spa to come to temperature (100-104F) before retesting or
adding salt.
ACE Water Care System Page 3

SPA MODEL TABLE
Spa Model Salt
(cups) or (grams)
Spa Size
Value
Vista
®
/ Summit* 6 1735 8
Grandee
®
6 1735 8
Envoy
®
5.75 1630 7
Aria
®
4.75 1410 6
Vanguard
®
5.25 1500 6
Sovereign
®
4.5 1360 6
Prodigy
®
4.25 1225 5
Jetsetter
®
2.75 820 3
* 50Hz Models only
STEP 2 – Access Water Care System menu
On the main control panel, press the1. Options hard button.
Press the2. Water Care soft button.
STEP 3 – Enter Use Level
In the Water Care System menu, press the1. Use Level soft button.
Adjust use level setting using the arrow soft buttons. The following are2.
approximate guidelines for determining use level.
a. 1 = Low bather load (1 person less than 1 hour per week, vacation mode).
b. 2–4 = Normal bather load (1-2 persons less than 3 hours per week).
c. 5 = High bather load (2 or more persons more than 3 hours per week).
Adjusting the Use Level will cause the value on the screen to flash. Once the3.
correct Use Level is displayed, press the Confirm? soft button to enter your
selection. The value will stop flashing, and the “?” next to the word Confirm
will disappear.
Recommended initial setting: USE 4
Press the4. BACK hard button to return to the main menu.
RECOMMENDED: Following initial start-up, test the chlorine level of your spa once a
week. Adjust the Use Level up if the chlorine level is low, or down if the chlorine level
is high, to find the level that produces a stable chlorine level of 3-5 ppm. This will
help maintain water quality.
STEP 4 – Set Spa Size
Determine the value (1-8) associated with your spa model using the Spa1.
Model Table.
In the Water Care System menu, press the2. Set-up soft button.
Press the3. Spa Size soft button.
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ACE Water Care System Page 5
Adjust spa size using the soft buttons next to the arrows.4.
Adjusting the Spa Size will cause the value on screen to flash. Once the5.
correct Spa Size is displayed, press the Confirm? soft button to enter your
selection. The value will stop flashing, and the “?” next to the word Confirm
will disappear.
Once Spa Size has been selected, press6. Confirm? soft button to enter your
selection.
Press the7. BACK hard button to return to the main menu.
STEP 5 – Test for chlorine and establish residual
Once your spa is programmed, check chlorine level with a FreshWater test strip.1.
Add granular sodium dichlor, as directed on the bottle, to 5ppm as described in2.
the spa’s Owner’s Manual to create a sanitized residual until the ACE system
is generating sanitizer at full capacity.
Allow jets to run 5 minutes per jet system (rotating the diverter valves).3.
NOTE: Ensure that Calcium Filter is repositioned after running jets
STEP 6 – Remove Calcium Filter after 24 hours – discard.
IMPORTANT: Do not use the spa until the chlorine is between 3-5 ppm.
30-Day Check-up
You must check your spa water at least once every 30 days. To remind you, the ACE
water care icon will flash and the status message will read, “Monthly Maintenance”
at the end of the 30-day cycle. The 30-day cycle re-starts after you confirm the use
level.
STEP 1
Use a FreshWater test strip to measure the pH, Total Alkalinity, and Hardness.1.
Use the Spa Water Guidelines in this manual to determine if your spa water is
in the “OK” range.
Adjust pH and Total Alkalinity following instructions in the Water Quality and2.
Maintenance section of your spa’s Owner’s Manual.
To decrease the Hardness level of the water place a new Calcium Filter over3.
the heater return at the bottom of the spa for 24 hours.
STEP 2 – Access Water Care system menu
Press the1. Options hard button, followed by the Water Care soft button on the
spa’s main control panel.

STEP 3 – Enter Use Level
In the Water Care system menu, press the1. Use Level soft button
Adjust use level setting using the arrow soft buttons. The following are2.
approximate guidelines for determining use level.
a. 1 = Low bather load (1 person less than 1 hour per week, vacation mode).
b. 2–4 = Normal bather load (1-2 persons less than 3 hours per week).
c. 5 = High bather load (2 or more persons more than 3 hours per week).
Adjusting the Use Level will cause the value on screen to flash. Once the3.
correct Use Level is displayed, press the Confirm? soft button to enter
your selection. The value will stop flashing, and the “?” next to the word
Confirm will disappear.
Press the4. BACK hard button to return to the main menu.
NOTE: You must set and confirm the Use Level even if it’s the same as the prior setting.
STEP 4 – Shock Spa and Plumbing Lines
Use a Freshwater Test strip to measure chlorine levels.1.
Increase chlorine level to 3-5 ppm using granular sodium dichlor.2.
Activate spa’s automatic clean cycle using the main control panel.3.
Chlorine Boost
If the spa is being used more often than usual, it may be necessary to add more
chlorine to the water by “boosting” the ACE system. To increase the chlorine level:
Access the1. Water Care system menu by pressing the Options hard button,
followed by the Water Care soft button on the spa’s main control panel.
Press the2. Boost soft button.
Press the3. Yes soft button to confirm the manual Boost operation.
The system will automatically initiate a salt test before the Boost. Once salt4.
test is complete status will display "Water Care System Boosting" when active.
IMPORTANT: It may take up to 24 hours to complete the Boost cycle. The
chlorine level must be maintained between 3-5 ppm at all times. Manually add
sodium dichlor if necessary for regular use or shocking the spa.
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Salt Test
The ACE system automatically tests the water’s salt level. A manual Salt Test is only
required if the water care icon is flashing and the status screen indicates High salt or
Low salt levels.
To conduct a manual Salt Test:
Access the Water Care system menu by pressing the1. Options hard button,
followed by the Water Care soft button on the spa’s main control panel.
Press the2. Set-up soft button, followed by the Salt Test soft button.
Note location of the salt level indicator on screen.3.
Press4. Yes soft button to start the salt test and wait 20 seconds for the test
to complete.
a. If proper amount of salt is present, screen will display “Water Care
System Functioning”.
b. If “High Salt” or “Low Salt” is still displayed proceed as follows:
For Low Salt –
i. If the cell is new, or has just been cleaned, review the location
of the salt indicator to determine how low the salt level is.
ii. Add (1) cup of salt to the water and circulate for 5 minutes.
Activate a second salt test and repeat the process as needed.
iii. If 50% of the spa’s recommended salt has been added and
icon continues to flash, contact your Hot Spring Service
Professional for assistance.
NOTE: A low salt reading may indicate the need to clean the ACE cell.
For High Salt –
i. Review the location of the salt indicator to determine how high
the salt level is.
ii. Drain 25% of the water from the spa and refill with clean clear
water.
NOTE: If salt indicator is above 50% in the red indicator, drain
completely and refill. (See Start-up and Refill Procedure)
iii. Run the jet pumps for 5 minutes and then conduct another
manual Salt Test.
iv. The salt level will be displayed as OK when the salt is in
range. Repeat as needed.
ACE Water Care System Page 7

Cell Cleaning
Periodic cleaning of the ACE cell is recommended to maximize the life of your
equipment. Use of the Calcium Filter will help reduce the cleaning frequency. When
the status message on the screen indicates low salt and the water has not been
changed or topped off recently, it maybe time to clean the cell.
Turn off the power to the spa. Open the spa cover and remove the filter lid.1.
Unscrew gray filter cap and gently pull the cell out of the filter.2.
Fill a 16oz cup half way with vinegar.3.
Place the cell in the cup ensuring that the bottom of cell is floating.4.
Add more vinegar as needed to cover the cell by 1” (2 cm).5.
Soak the cell for 15 minutes or until bubbles stop coming from the cell. If6.
bubbles are still releasing from the cell after 15 minutes, change the
vinegar and repeat.
Replace cell into filter standpipe ensuring it reaches the bottom of the7.
standpipe. Screw on gray filter cap lid, replace filter lid, power up the spa.
Ensure that the cell goes all the way down the pipe.
IQ 2020
®Remote Control (Optional Accessory)
The IQ 2020 remote control has the same control capability as the spa’s main
control panel.
To access the ACE system menus, press the MODE button until1. CHEM+
is displayed on the screen.
Press the (+) button to enter into the ACE system menus. The word2. ADD
will appear on the screen.
Press the MODE button to scroll through the ACE system menus.3.
To change a setting, find the desired menu, press the (+) button to enter4.
that menu. Press the (+) again to change the setting. Press the (-) button
once to set a new setting, and a second time to confirm.
To exit the ACE system menus, press the MODE button until the5. EXIT
screen is displayed. Press the (+) button to exit.
Tips
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 Use Level setting to 1.
Water Changes.• Because the ACE water care system reduces the amount of
chemicals added to the spa water, it is possible to extend the life of the water
2 to 4 times depending on use level. Test your water regularly to ensure safety.
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ACE Water Care System Page 9
If heavy bathing is expected.• Initiate a Boost a few hours prior.
Periodically measure the chlorine and add granular sodium dichlor as need.
MPS use.• Granular MPS (Pottasium Peroxymonosulfate) can be used in
place of sodium dichlor to establish a sanitizer residual at start up, and for
shocking the spa at the 30-day check up. Use FreshWater MPS test strips
to measure MPS levels of spa water.
Mixed Oxidants.• To clean the water, the ACE water care system
generates a variety of mixed oxidants, in addition to chlorine. The chlorine
reading on the test strip may not be indicative of total oxidizer level.
Ozone.• The ACE water care system is safe to use with ozone.
Troubleshooting
The water is cloudy:•
Use FreshWater◦®test strip. If chlorine is low, manually add granular
dichlor as needed, or initiate a chlorine Boost.
Check filters and clean as needed (see Owner’s Manual).◦
Check spa pH level and add pH down as directed.◦
Sanitizer levels are always too low.•
Check that Spa Size is at the correct settings. A low spa size number will◦
provide less sanitizer.
Check Use Level. Your bather load may require you to increase setting◦
to a higher number.
Contact your local authorized Hot Spring dealer.◦
Water Care icon is not lit when Main Control Panel is illuminated.•
Call your Hot Spring dealer and set-up a service call.◦
NOTE:◦You may continue to use your spa as long as the chlorine level
on the FreshWater test strip is in the OK range.
Water Care Icon flashes.•
Attention is needed, access ACE water care system menus on main◦
control panel to read status message (see below).
Low salt reading.•
Filters may be dirty. Remove cell from filter, place in tub, and test salt. If◦
salt shows in OK range, replace or clean filter as needed.
High salt reading.•
If salt reads high regularly, consider whether owner has a salt pool. It is◦
possible to carry the salt from the pool to the spa and increase the
salinity. Dilute as needed.

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System Status Messages
Status Message On Screen Meaning or Action Required
Water Care System
Functioning
Operating normally
Water Care System
Boosting
Increasing Chlorine level
Water Care System
Testing Water
Salt test initiated/in progress
Water Care System
Monthly Maintenance
30-day user input
required
Water Care System
Ofine-CircPump
Non-operational
(Summer Timer on/Circ Pump is off)
Water Care System
Ofine-HighSalt
Non-operational
High salt level detected -
Correct salt level
Clean/Inspect Cell
Water Care System
Low Salt/Clean Cell
Non-operational
Low salt level detected -
Correct salt level
Clean/Inspect Cell
Water Care System
Contact Dealer For Service
Contact Dealer For Service
Customer Service
If you have any questions about your ACE water care system that have not been
answered by this manual, consult your authorized Hot Spring®dealer.
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation can be reached at: 1-800-999-4688
(extension 8432) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
(PST) or e-mail [email protected].
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation, 1280 Park Center Drive, Vista, CA 92081
ACE Water Care System Warranty
One-Year Limited Warranty
Watkins warrants to you, the original consumer purchaser, that the components of the
ACE Water Care System will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of one year.

ACE Water Care System Page 11
Extent of Warranty
This warranty extends only to the original consumer purchaser of the ACE water care
system when purchased and originally installed within the boundaries of the United
States. This warranty begins upon installation of the ACE water care system. This
warranty terminates upon any transfer of ownership, or if the ACE water care system
is installed or relocated outside the boundaries of the United States by the original
consumer purchaser prior to the expiration of the warranty period.
Warranty Performance
To make a claim under this warranty, contact your dealer. In the event you are unable
to obtain service from the dealer, please contact Watkins Manufacturing Corporation,
1280 Park Center Drive, Vista, California, 92081. Attn: Customer Service Department
[phone] or via e-mail, [email protected] You must give Watkins
and/or your dealer written notice of any warranty claim,
along with a copy of your original purchase receipt indicating the date of the, within
ten (10) days of the time you discover the claim. Watkins reserves the right to inspect
the malfunction or defect on location.
Watkins or its Authorized Service Agent will repair any defects covered by this
warranty. Except as described herein, you will not be charged for parts, labor or the
freight costs for parts necessary to repair the interface module for defects covered by
this warranty. In some cases, the servicing dealer may charge you a reasonable re-
pairperson travel/service charge that is not covered by this warranty. Please contact
the dealer for information regarding any such charges.
Limitations
Except as described above, this warranty does not cover defects or damage due to
normal wear and tear, improper installation, alteration without Watkins’ prior written
consent, accident, acts of God, misuse, abuse, commercial or industrial use, use of
an accessory not approved by Watkins, failure to follow
Watkins’ Owner’s manual, or repairs made or attempted by anyone other than an
authorized representative of Watkins. Alteration includes, but is not limited to, any
component change, or electrical conversion. Visit www.hotspring.com or contact your
dealer for a list of manufacturer approved accessories.
Disclaimers
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WATKINS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE
FOR LOSS OF USE OF THE ACG WATER CARE SYSTEM OR OTHER
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL COSTS, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitation or exclusion of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
LIMITED TO ONE YEAR. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty may last, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

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Manufacturing Corporation
Legal Remedies
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from state to state.
Customer Service
For emergency service, contact your Factory Authorized Service Agent (selling
dealer) immediately. If you do not know who your local dealer is or do not obtain
satisfactory service from a Factory Authorized Service Agent, contact the
Customer Service Department at Watkins at 1280 Park Center Drive, Vista
California 92081, Attn: Customer Service Manager or call [phone].
Watkins maintains an extensive service network within all fifty states and Canada.

ACE Water Care System Page 13

IMPORTANT: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation reserves the right to change
specifications or design without notification and without incurring any obligation.
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
1280 Park Center Drive
Vista, California 92081
Part #301789, REV. A (10/09)
©2009 Watkins Manufacturing Corporation. ACE, Hot Spring, IQ 2020, FreshWater,
and FreshStart10,000 are trademarks of Watkins Manufacturing Corporation.
EPA Establishment Number to be granted