OC Hot Tubs Serenity User manual

LTR50001045, Rev. N
3/1/19
OC Hot Tubs
Owner’s
Manual
www.ochottubsinfo.com
© 2019 OC Hot Tubs

Due to continuous improvement programs, all models, operation, and/or
specications are subject to change without prior notice.
LTR50001045, Rev. N
3/1/19
Customer Service Contact Information
For customer service questions and information please
contact us:
Toll Free: 1-800-225-7727
OR
e-mail: [email protected]
Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm PST
www.ochottubsinfo.com
Important Safety Instructions .......1
Basic Spa Information..............2
Preparing for Your New Portable Spa . 3
Pre-Delivery Checklist..................3
Planning the Best Location ..............3
Preparing a Good Foundation ............4
240 Volt Electrical Installation ...........4
Testing the 240 Volt GFCI Breaker........4
Filling and Powering Up Your Portable Spa 6
Priming the Pump .....................9
Operating Your Spa ...............11
Spa Topside Control - One and Two Pump
Systems ............................11
Adjustable Jets ......................15
LED Lighting.........................16
Waterfalls ..........................17
Cover Latches .......................17
Water Quality Terms and Denitions .....18
Water Testing Methods ................19
Adding Chemicals To The Spa Water .....20
1. Balancing the Water Chemistry Levels . 20
2. Sanitation and Shock ...............22
3. Filtration .........................23
4. Regularity (Maintenance Schedule)....24
Generic Names for Chemicals ...........24
Common Water Chemistry Questions ....25
Do’s and Don’ts ......................26
Bather Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Ozonator ...........................27
Troubleshooting Water Clarity Problems ..28
Cleaning and Maintenance .........29
Jet Removal and Replacement ..........29
Draining Your Portable Spa ............30
Winterizing (Cold Climate Draining) .....31
Cleaning and Replacing the Filter........31
Spa Cover and Locking System..........31
Vacation Care........................32
Cleaning Your Spa ....................32
Using the Freedom Sound System
(OC-885 Only) .......................33
Appendix .......................34
Replacement Parts ...................34
Basic Troubleshooting.................36
Limited Warranty.....................39
Warranty Registration.................42
Table of Contents

Read This First!
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OC Hot Tubs Owner’s Manual
LTR50001045, Rev. N
Important Safety Instructions
READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
DANGER -- Risk of accidental drowning:
Do not allow children to be in or around a spa unless a
responsible adult supervises them. Keep the spa cover
on and locked when not in use. See instructions enclosed
with your cover for locking procedures.
DANGER -- Risk of injury:
The suction ttings in this spa are sized to match the
specic water ow created by the pump. Should the need
arise to replace the suction ttings, or the pump, be sure
the ow rates are compatible.
Never operate the spa if the suction tting or lter baskets
are broken or missing. Never replace a suction tting with
one that is rated less than the ow rate marked on the
original suction tting.
DANGER -- Risk of electric shock:
Install the spa at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) from all metal
surfaces. As an alternative, a spa may be installed within 5
feet of metal surfaces if each metal surface is permanently
bonded by a minimum #8 AWG solid copper conductor to
the outside of the spa’s control box.
Do not permit any external electrical appliances, such as
lights, telephones, radios, televisions, and etc., within ve
feet (1.5 meters) of the spa. Never attempt to operate any
electrical device from inside the spa.
Replace a damaged power cord immediately.
Do not bury the power cord.
Connect to a grounded, grounding-type receptacle only.
HYPERTHERMIA DANGER:
Prolonged exposure to hot air or water can induce
hyperthermia. Hyperthermia occurs when the internal
temperature of the body reaches a level 3˚F to 6˚F above
the normal body temperature of 98.6˚F (or 2˚C to 4˚C
above 37˚C). While hyperthermia has many health benets,
it is important not to allow your body’s core temperature to
rise above 103˚F (39.5˚C).
Symptoms of excessive hyperthermia include dizziness,
lethargy, drowsiness and fainting. The effects of excessive
hyperthermia may include:
• Failure to perceive heat
• Failure to recognize the need to exit spa or hot tub
• Unawareness of impending hazard
• Fetal damage in pregnant women
• Physical inability to exit the spa
• Unconsciousness
WARNING: The use of alcohol, drugs, or medication can
greatly increase the risk of fatal hyperthermia.
The spa water should never exceed 104˚F (40˚C). Water
temperatures between 100˚F (38˚C) and 104˚F (40˚C)
are considered safe for a healthy adult. Lower water
temperatures are recommended for young children and
when spa use exceeds 10 minutes.
High water temperatures have a high potential for causing
fetal damage during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant,
or who think they are pregnant, should always check with
their physician prior to spa usage.
The use of alcohol, drugs or medication before or during
spa use may lead to unconsciousness, with the possibility
of drowning.
Persons suffering from obesity, a medical history of heart
disease, low or high blood pressure, circulatory system
problems or diabetes should consult a physician before
using the spa.
Persons using medications should consult a physician
before using the spa since some medications may induce
drowsiness while others may affect heart rate, blood
pressure and circulation.
WARNING -- To reduce the risk of injury:
WARNING: People with infectious diseases should not use
a spa or hot tub.
WARNING: To avoid injury, exercise care when entering or
exiting the spa or hot tub.
WARNING: Do not use drugs or alcohol before or during
the use of a spa or hot tub to avoid unconsciousness and
possible drowning.
WARNING: Do not use a spa or hot tub immediately
following strenuous exercise.
WARNING: Prolonged immersion in a spa or hot tub may
be injurious to your health.
CAUTION: Maintain water chemistry in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Read This First!
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OC Hot Tubs Owner’s Manual
LTR50001045, Rev. N
Basic Spa Information
The following operating and maintenance instructions are
very important and must be followed carefully. With the
proper care and maintenance, your spa will provide you with
years of satisfaction and performance.
Do not be afraid to push buttons or turn knobs to learn
about your new spa, as it is built with quality materials and
excellent craftsmanship.
Your new spa has been engineered with a high-powered
water pump that pushes water through various therapy jets,
which will relax even the tightest muscles. In addition to the
water pressure, you can add air into the spa water with air
rockers located seat-side that increase the intensity of your
massage.
The ltering of this spa is very important. It will minimize
cleaning time and the amount of chemicals needed to keep
your spa water balanced. The two daily pre-programmed
lter cycles of two hours in duration can be increased to
six hour cycles if the need arises. This can be accomplished
through the topside control panel.
IMPORTANT: Keep the spa covered when not in use!
• Covered spas use less electricity while maintaining a set
temperature.
• Covering your spa will protect your spa’s nish from the
sun’s ultraviolet rays.
• You are required to keep the spa covered to maintain
warranty coverage.
• Covering your spa helps prevent children from drowning
in the spa.
Your new spa comes equipped with an electric heater.
Following the directions listed below will ensure the most
efcient operation:
NOTE: This method is only for spa usage under two
hours a week.
Keep the spa’s operating temperature 5˚F below the desired
usage temperature when not in use. One or two hours
before use, set the temperature to the desired temperature.
If the spa usage exceeds two hours a week, the set
temperature should remain at the desired usage temperature.
The air rockers should be used sparingly. When open, water
temperature drops quite rapidly and can also dissipate
chemicals.
Allowing the water temperature to lower more than 10˚F
below the desired usage temperature and reheating it prior
to usage will cause the heater to operate longer than it
normally would maintaining the desired temperature. Doing
this will increase your operating cost and makes your heater
work more than necessary.
The lter needs to be cleaned or changed on a regular
basis. This process takes only a few minutes and the result
is increased water clarity and equipment longevity.
Water level is very important to the operation of your spa.
If the water level is too low or too high, your spa will not
operate properly. The water level should be to the middle of
the skimmer area when the spa is not being used.
We recommend that your spa water be changed every 4 to
6 months. You may nd the need to change your spa water
more frequently with heavy use. When empty, your spa
should be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner and rinsed
thoroughly.
See the section “Cleaning and Maintaining Your Spa” for
instructions on draining your spa.
When lling your spa, always ll through the skimmer lter
canister. Use only regular tap water.
WARNING: DO NOT USE SOFT WATER.

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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Most cities and counties require permits for exterior
construction and electrical circuits. In addition, some
communities have codes requiring residential barriers such
as fencing and/or self-closing gates on property to prevent
unsupervised access to the property by children. Your dealer
can provide information on which permits may be required
and how to obtain them prior to the delivery of your spa.
Before Delivery
Plan your delivery route
Choose a suitable location for the spa
Lay a 5 - 8 cm deep concrete slab
Install dedicated electrical supply
After Delivery
Place spa on slab
Connect electrical components
Preparing for Your New Portable Spa
Pre-Delivery Checklist
Planning the Best Location
Safety First
Consider How You Will Use Your Spa
Plan for Your Environment
Consider Your Privacy
Provide a View with Your Spa
Keep Your Spa Clean
Allow for Service Access
Do not place your spa within 10 feet (3 m) of overhead
power lines.
How you intend to use your spa will help you determine
where you should position it. For example, will you use
your spa for recreational or therapeutic purposes? If your
spa is mainly used for family recreation, be sure to leave
plenty of room around it for activity. If you will use it for
relaxation and therapy, you will probably want to create a
specic mood around it.
If you live in a region where it snows in the winter or rains
frequently, place the spa near a house entry. By doing
this, you will have a place to change clothes and not be
uncomfortable.
In a cold-weather climate, bare trees won’t provide
much privacy. Think of your spa’s surroundings during all
seasons to determine your best privacy options. Consider
the view of your neighbors as well when you plan the
location of your spa.
Think about the direction you will be facing when sitting in
your spa. Do you have a special landscaped area in your
yard that you nd enjoyable? Perhaps there is an area
that catches a soothing breeze during the day or a lovely
sunset in the evening.
In planning your spa’s location, consider a location where
the path to and from the house can be kept clean and
free of debris.
Prevent dirt and contaminants from being tracked into
your spa by placing a foot mat at the spa’s entrance where
the bathers can clean their feet before entering your spa.
Make sure the spa is positioned so that access to the
equipment compartment and all side panels will not be
blocked.
Many people choose to install a decorative structure
around their spa. If you are installing your spa with
any type of structure on the outside, such as a gazebo,
remember to allow access for service. It is always best
to design special installations so that the spa can still be
moved, or lifted off the ground.

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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Your spa needs a solid and level foundation. The area
that it sits on must be able to support the weight of the
spa, with water and the occupants who use it. If the
foundation is inadequate, it may shift or settle after the
spa is in place, causing stress that could DAMAGE YOUR
SPA SHELL AND FINISH.
Damage caused by inadequate or improper
foundation support is not covered by the
warranty. It is the responsibility of the spa
owner to provide a proper foundation for the
spa.
Place the spa on an elevated 3 to 4” / 30 cm concrete slab.
Pavers, gravel, brick, sand, timbers or dirt foundations are
not adequate to support the spa.
We strongly recommend that a qualied, licensed
contractor prepare the foundation for your spa.
If you are installing the spa indoors, pay close attention
to the ooring beneath it. Choose ooring that will not be
damaged or stained.
Preparing a Good Foundation
All 240V spas must be permanently connected (hard wired)
to the power supply. See the GFCI and wiring requirements
on page 5.
These instructions describe the only acceptable
electrical wiring procedure. Spas wired in any other
way will void your warranty and may result in serious
injury.
When installed in the United States, the electrical wiring of
this spa must meet the requirements of NEC 70 and any
applicable local, state, and federal codes.
The electrical circuit must be installed by an
electrical contractor and approved by a local building
or electrical inspector.
Failure to comply with state and local codes may
result in re or personal injury and will be the sole
responsibility of the spa owner.
240 Volt Electrical Installation
If you are installing your spa on an elevated wood deck or
other structure, it is highly recommended that you consult
a structural engineer or contractor to ensure the structure
will support the weight of 150 pounds per square foot (732
kg / m2).
To properly identify the weight of your new spa when full,
remember water weighs 8.33 lbs. per gallon, or 1 kg per
liter. For example, an average 8’ spa holds approximately
500 gallons, or 1892 liters, of water. Using this formula, you
will nd that the weight of the water alone is 4,165 lbs, or
1892 kg. Combined with the dry weight of the spa you will
note that this spa will weigh approximately 5,000 lbs, or
2267 kg, when full of water.
The power supplied to the spa must be on a dedicated
GFCI protected circuit as required by NEC 70 with no
other appliances or lights sharing the power.
Use copper wire with THHN insulation. Do not use
aluminum wire.
Wires that run over 100 feet must increase wire gauge to
the next lower number. For example: A normal 50 amp
GFCI with four #6 AWG copper wires that run over 100
feet would require you to go to four #4 AWG copper wires.
Testing the 240 Volt GFCI Breaker
Test the GFCI breaker prior to rst use and periodically when the spa is powered. To test the GFCI breaker follow these
instructions (spa should be operating):
1. Press the TEST button on the GFCI. The GFCI will trip and the spa will shut off.
2. Reset the GFCI breaker by switching the breaker to the full OFF position, wait a moment, then turn the breaker back
on. The spa should have power again.

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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LTR50001045, Rev. N
GFCI Wiring Diagram

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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OC Hot Tubs Owner’s Manual
LTR50001045, Rev. N
Inspect all plumbing connections in the
equipment area of your spa.
• Make sure unions in the equipment pack are tight. (Be careful
not to over-tighten the plumbing ttings.)
• If your spa has gate
valves, make sure they
are all in the UP or OPEN
position.
• Make sure the drain
valve is closed and
capped. (See page 30 for
a description of drain
valves.)
Filling and Powering Up Your Portable Spa
Never run the spa with the gate valves closed or without
water circulating for long periods of time.
1. Inspect the spa equipment.
If you have a skimmer like this:
After you remove the lter, remove the plastic wrapper and soak it in water for 30 minutes before you
replace it. A dry lter can allow air into the ltration system which can cause the pump to fail to prime.
Rotate and remove the black locking ring. Remove the
black skimmer cap and barrel, grip the lter by the
handle and unscrew it from the canister.
Replace and lock the locking ring and slide the skimmer
cap and barrel back in the canister.
Note: The skimmer cap and barrel were locked in place
at the factory to prevent damage during shipment. It
must be unlocked and replaced in the lter canister so that
it can oat when the spa is lled. If you do not remove the
cap and barrel, your spa’s ltration system will not perform
as it was designed to.
Teleweir lter
skimmer
• 50 square feet
ltration
• Spoked cap
2. Remove the cartridge from the canister.

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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LTR50001045, Rev. N
3. Fill the spa.
Never ll your spa with soft water.
Soft water makes it impossible to maintain the
proper water chemistry and may cause the water
to foam, which will ultimately harm the nish of
the spa and void your warranty. You may ll your
spa with well water provided the following
conditions are met: 1) Purchase and use a pre-
lter to run the well water through on the ll-up.
The pre-lter will be placed before the spa lter in
the ll-up ow of water. 2) Have a Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS) and metals test performed by a
qualied person after the ll-up process but before
any spa use.
Place a garden hose in the lter canister and ll your spa.
Always ll the spa through the lter canister. Failure to do so may cause air to be trapped in the ltration system and
prevent the pumps from operating properly.
Fill the spa until water level is about six inches from the top.
If the water level is too low or too high, your spa will not
operate properly.

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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LTR50001045, Rev. N
4. Turn on power to the spa.
5. Install the lter into the lter canister.
Make sure the lter has soaked at least 30 minutes
before you install it.
Test and adjust the water chemistry. See the section on
page 18 for instructions on keeping your water clear.
When the spa is lled to the correct level, turn on the power at
the GFCI breaker. (Ensure that the 240V spas are connected to
the proper electrical outlet.)
6. Adjust water chemistry.
7. Let the spa heat up.
When the spa has nished priming, the heater will
activate. Put the cover on and let the spa heat to the set
temperature.

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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New spa owners often have difculty the rst time they start their spa
and the pump fails to prime. This can be frustrating, but these simple
instructions can help you.
Sometimes air can become trapped in the pump while lling the spa. You
will know this has happened when after you have lled and started the spa,
the pump does not seem to function. You will hear the pump operating, but no water will be moving.
The pump will not work
properly while air is trapped in it.
Continuing to operate the pump
in this way will cause damage.
Priming the Pump
3. If you have other pumps, press JETS 2 to turn them
on also.
Running the pumps helps the pumps prime.
After two minutes, the pump should prime. If it does not,
follow the priming instructions on the next page. If it does,
continue with the next step.
Your spa will perform a self-diagnostic check and go into
Priming Mode. The control panel will display either RUN
PUMPS PURG AIR --- or Priming Mode, depending on
which control panel you have.
Do the following:
1. Press the JETS or JETS 1 button once to start the pump
in low speed.
2. Press it again to switch the pump to high speed.
For one pump systems
For two pump systems

Preparing forYour New Portable Spa
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LTR50001045, Rev. N
If you have tried priming the pump several times unsuccessfully using the
control panel, you can bleed the air from the pump manually.
1. Shut off the power to the spa.
2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the front panel from the spa and
locate the pump.
3. Close the gate valve on the discharge side of the pump (if your spa is
installed with one.)
4. Turn the bleeder valve counter clockwise with a small pair of pliers until
the air has been released from the pump.
5. If this is unsuccessful, loosen the union nut on side of the pump with
channel locks. When air is bled out, tighten the nut.
6. Turn on power to the spa and press the UP button. If there is still air
trapped in the pump, repeat steps 2 through 5 until the pump primes.
Bleeding Air from the Pump

OperatingYour Spa
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LTR50001045, Rev. N
Operating Your Spa
Spa Topside Control - One and Two Pump Systems
Initial Start-up (Two pump systems)
Temperature Adjustment
(Range 80°F to 104°F, 26°C to 40°C)
The electronic control panel displays the actual water
temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. The displayed
temperature will only be current after the pump has been
running for at least two minutes.
To display the temperature that the hot tub is set to:
• Press the Temp button. The temperature setting will
ash.
• While the display is ashing, each time you press
Temp button, the set temperature will change up or
down one degree.
• If the desired temperature is opposite of the direction
each press of the button is making, release button,
allow display to stop ashing and then press Temp
button to change temperature in the other direction.
For one pump systems
For two pump systems
When rst powered up, your hot tub will perform a self-
diagnostic check and go into priming mode. When the
control panel displays PR, IMMEDIATELY do the following:
1. Press the JETS 1 or JETS 2 button to turn on the pump
and let it run for 10 seconds. The pump should be
running in low speed.
2. Press the JETS 1 or JETS 2 button again and let the
pump run in high speed for 10 seconds.
3. Press the JETS 1 or JETS 2 button again to turn off the
pump. The pump should be left in the off position for
10 to 15 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until water is owing through
all the jets and all air is removed from the plumbing.
When the hot tub has nished priming, the heater will be
activated and the water temperature will be maintained in
standard mode. The hot tub will heat to 100°F (37.5°C) at
start up until the set temperature is changed as described.
When rst powered up, your hot tub will perform a self-
diagnostic check and go into priming mode. When the
control panel displays PR, IMMEDIATELY do the following:
1. Press the JETS button to turn on the pump and let it
run for 10 seconds. The pump should be running in low
speed.
2. Press the JETS button again and let the pump run in
high speed for 10 seconds.
3. Press the JETS button again to turn off the pump. The
pump should be left in the off position for 10 to 15
seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until water is owing through
all the jets and all air is removed from the plumbing.
When the hot tub has nished priming, the heater will be
activated and the water temperature will be maintained in
standard mode. The hot tub will heat to 100°F (37.5°C) at
start up until the set temperature is changed as described.
Initial Start-up (One pump systems)

OperatingYour Spa
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LTR50001045, Rev. N
Standard, Economy and Sleep Heating
Modes
Your new hot tub is equipped with a heating feature that
gives you complete control of the heating system. When the
hot tub is powered up, it will automatically start in standard
heating mode.
• St will light briey on the main display. In this mode,
the heating system will automatically maintain the set
spa temperature. In the economy-heating mode, the
heating system will only activate during ltration times.
• Ec will display solid if temperature is not current and
will alternate with water temperature if measured
temperature is current.
• Economy mode will heat the water to the set
temperature while Sleep mode, indicated by an SL
on the main display, will also only activate the heater
during the ltering cycles but will only heat the water
to within 20°F (10°C) of the set temperature. Like
Economy mode, SL will display solid when temperature
is not current and will alternate with actual temperature
when it is current.
NOTE: Displayed temperature will only be current after the
pump has been running for at least two minutes.
Switching Modes
• Press the Temp button followed by the Light button.
• Press the same sequence to switch to the next mode.
Activating the Jets
Press the Jets 1 button:
• Once to activate low speed pump.
• Twice to activate high speed.
• Three times to return to turn pump off.
Jets 2
Press the Jets 2 button to turn pump 2 on. Press it once
again to turn the pump 2 off.
Light
Press the Light button to turn on the light. Press it once
again to turn the light off.
Automatic Time-outs
These features will automatically turn themselves off during
periods of continuous use:
• Low speed pump After 4 hours
• High speed pumps After 15 minutes
• Hot tub light After 15 minutes
Setting Filtration Cycles
Your hot tub is programmed to lter twice a day. The rst
cycle will begin six minutes after the hot tub is turned on
and the second cycle 12 hours later.
The factory has programmed the cycle to last for one hour
for single pump systems and two hours for two pump
systems, but this can be changed to your preference.
To change the ltration cycle, press the Temp button then
the Jets button. Press Temp button again to change the
ltering cycle duration. See the table below for ltration
settings and duration.
When desired duration is selected press the Jets button to
exit.
Single pump systems Two pump systems
Setting Duration Setting Duration
F1 1 hour F2 2 hours
F2 2 hours F4 4 hours
F3 3 hours F6 6 hours
F4 4 hours F8 8 hours
F5 5 hours FC Continuous
F6 6 hours
F7 7 hours
F8 8 hours
Note: Single pump systems do not have continuous ltration.
To set the time of day you want ltration to begin, turn off
the power to the hot tub at the time of day you would like
one of the ltration cycles to begin, then turn it back on
after 30 seconds. When power has been restored, set the
ltration cycle as described above.
During ltration, the water temperature will appear on the
main display.
Ozonator
This is for your information only. The ozonator works
automatically and does not require you to change any
settings.
For single pump systems, the ozonator will operate any time
pump 1 is on in low speed.
For two pump systems, the ozonator will operate with pump
1 on low speed during the ltration cycle only.

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Message Meaning Action Required
No message
on display
1) Spa temperature is unknown. 1) After pump has been running for 2 minutes, temperature
will be displayed.
2) Spa is in Economy or Sleep mode. 2) In Economy or Sleep mode, the pump may be off for
hours outside a lter cycle. If you wish to see the current
spa temperature, either switch to Standard mode or turn
Jets1 on for at least two minutes.
3) Power has been cut off to the spa. 3) The control panel will be disabled until power returns.
Spa settings and time of day will be preserved for 30 days
with a battery back-up.
-- Temperature unknown. After the pump has been running for two minutes, the
temperature will be displayed.
dr Insufcient water detected in heater.
Spa will be shut down for 15 minutes.
Check water level in spa. Rell if necessary. Make sure
pumps are been primed and lter cartridges are clean.
Press any button to reset or wait 15 minutes and spa will
automatically reset. If spa message does not reset, call OC
Hot Tubs customer service for guidance.
dY Insufcient water detected in heater.
Spa is shut down.
(Displays on third occurrence of dr
message.)
Follow directions for dr message and press any button to
reset spa. Spa will not automatically reset when dry or dY is
displayed.
Ec Indicates heater is in Economy Mode. None.
HH
OHH
Overheat protection (spa is shutdown).
One sensor has detected 118˚F (48˚C)
at the heater.
DO NOT ENTER THE WATER!
Remove the spa cover and allow spa to cool below 107˚F
(42˚C). Press any button on the topside display to reset
spa. If spa will not reset after spa has cooled, turn off
power for approximately 30 seconds and then turn power
back on. If display message is repeated, then shut the
power off to the spa and call OC Hot Tubs customer service
for guidance.
HL
HFL
A difference in readings between
temperature sensors has been detected
indicating a possible water ow
problem.
Make sure spa is lled to proper level and that pumps are
primed and lter cartridges are clean. If message does not
reset, call OC Hot Tubs customer service for guidance.
IC
ICE
Potential freeze condition detected. No action required. The pumps and the blower will
automatically activate regardless of spa status.
Your new hot tub comes equipped with an electric heater.
Following the directions listed below will ensure the most
efcient operation:
NOTE: This method is only for hot tub usage under two
hours a week.
• Keep the hot tub’s operating temperature 5˚F below
the desired usage temperature when not in use. One
or two hours before use, set the temperature to the
desired temperature.
• If the hot tub usage exceeds two hours a week, the
set temperature should remain at the desired usage
temperature.
• The air venturis should be used sparingly. When open,
water temperature drops quite rapidly and can also
dissipate chemicals.
Allowing the water temperature to lower more than 10˚F
below the desired usage temperature and reheating it prior
to usage will cause the heater to operate longer than it
normally would maintaining the desired temperature. Doing
this will increase your operating cost and makes your heater
work more than necessary.
Electrical Power Efciency
Diagnostic Messages

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Message Meaning Action Required
LF Persistent low ow problems. Heater
is shut down, but other spa functions
continue to run normally. Displays on
the fth occurrence of the HL or HFL
message within 24 hours.
Follow action required for HL or HFL message. Heating
capacity of the spa will not reset automatically. Press any
button to reset.
OH
OHS
Overheat protection. The spa has shut
down. One of the sensors has detected
that the spa water is 110°F.
DO NOT ENTER THE WATER. Remove the spa cover and
allow water to cool. At 107°F, the spa should automatically
reset. If spa does not reset, shut off the power to the spa
and call OC Hot Tubs customer service for guidance.
Pr When your spa is rst actuated, it will
go into priming mode.
The priming mode will last for up to four minutes and
then the spa will begin to heat and maintain the water
temperature in the Standard mode.
SL Indicates heater is in Sleep Mode. None.
SNA
Snb
Spa is shut down. The sensor that is
plugged into the sensor “A” or “B” jack
is not working.
If the problem persists, contact OC Hot Tubs customer
service for guidance. (May appear temporarily in an
overheat situation and disappear when the heater cools.)
Sn
SnS
Sensors are out of balance.
• If this is alternating with the
temperature, it may just be a
temporary condition.
• If the display shows only this
message (periodically blinking), the
spa is shut down.
Contact your OC Hot Tubs customer service for guidance.
ST Indicates heater is in Standard Mode. None.
Other Spa Systems
Several spa functions operate in the background and require no action or maintenance from you. This is for your information
only.
Pumps
Press the “Jets 1” button once to turn pump 1 on or off, and to shift between low- and high-speeds if equipped. If left
running, the pump will turn off after a time-out period. The pump 1 low-speed will time out after 30 minutes. The high-
speed will time out after 15 minutes.
On non-circ systems, the low-speed of pump 1 runs when the blower or any other pump is on. If the spa is in Ready Mode,
Pump 1 low may also activate for at least 1 minute every 30 minutes to detect the spa temperature (polling) and then to
heat to the set temperature if needed. When the low-speed turns on automatically, it cannot be deactivated from the panel,
however the high speed may be started.
Circulation Pump
The circulation pump will come on when the system is checking temperature (polling), during lter cycles, during freeze
conditions, or when another pump is on.
The ozonator will run with the circulation pump during ltration cycles.
Purge Cycles
In order to maintain sanitary conditions, secondary Pumps and/or a Blower will purge water from their respective plumbing
by running briey at the beginning of each lter cycle.

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Adjustable Jets
Almost all of the jets in your spa are adjustable. Rotating
the face of an adjustable jet to the left (counterclockwise)
will decrease the amount of water ow through the
jet. Rotating the face of an adjustable jet to the right
(clockwise) will increase the amount of water ow through
the jet. (See example shown here.)
Neck jets adjust in the opposite directions (counterclockwise
to increase, clockwise to decrease).
Water Diverters
Water diverter knobs are 1” and 2” knobs located around
the top of your spa. They allow you to divert water through
jets from one side of the spa to the other, or from oor jets
to wall jets. This is accomplished by rotating the knob to
the left or right to increase or decrease the ow of water
through the jets.
Air Control
The air controls is the 1” knob located around the top of
your spa. The air control will let you add a mixture of air
with the jet pressure. This is accomplished by rotating the
knob to the left or right to increase or decrease the amount
of airow through the jets.

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LED Lighting
Press the LIGHT button on the topside control panel to turn
the spa light on. If your spa has perimeter LED lights, they
will also light up at the same time as the spa light.
The LEDs operate in three modes:
1. Cycle: When you continually press the LIGHT button,
the LEDs will cycle through the three main LED colors
(Red, Green, and Blue) or combinations of the three
that produce the following colors: light green, purple,
light blue, yellow, etc.
Each time you press the button, you immediately
advance to the next color in sequence or eventually a
different light pattern.
2. Flashing: When you are cycling through all the
colors, the next time you push the LIGHT button, the
LED lights may start ashing. This is another normal
operational pattern option.
3. Fading cycle: The next phase of operation when
you push the LIGHT button is a slow and/or fast fade
random transition from one color to the next.
• If a spa is equipped with more than 100 points of light,
the Slow Fading Cycle will icker during a color change.
• Every air valve and water valve is equipped with 4 LED
points.
• Every jet is equipped with 2 LED points.
• Perimeter LEDs take 9 points of light.
• The waterfall takes 4 points of light.
Spas with exterior corner LED lighting generally work in the
same mode as described above. The variations in color and
patterns provide you with multiple options to suit almost
any lighting preference.

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Waterfalls
This OC-885 model includes adjustable handle-style waterfall. The OC-45 has 3.5” waterfall pictured in two views below.
Cover Latches
When your hot tub is not in use, make sure you place the cover on top and latch it securely. Besides protecting your hot
tub from sun damage and keeping out contaminants, it will prevent small children from drowning in the hot tub.
Your cover will have four clips attached to the ends of the four latches, two on each end of the hot tub cover. There will
also be a small bag with eight wood screws.
After you place the cover on the hot tub, attach the clips to the side of the hot tub using the wood screws.

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This section is intended for new spa owners with no
experience with water chemistry. Everyone’s experience
with maintaining water quality is different, but there are
some general concepts you need to know.
Water maintenance is not difcult, although it requires
regular attention. The most important thing to understand
about taking care of your spa water is that preventive action
is much easier than correcting water quality issues.
Before you begin, we recommend you become familiar with
some water quality terms and their denitions (see next
page).
Whether you’re lling your spa for the rst time (see page
6) or relling it after draining it for regular maintenance (see
page 30), start and maintain your spa water by following
the plan we describe in this section.
Water Clarity
Chemical Balance
See page 20 to learn how to balance your spa water.
You will need to test and adjust
the chemical balance of your spa
water. Although this is not difcult,
it needs to be done regularly.
You need to test the level of
calcium hardness, total alkalinity,
and pH.
Spa owners with a bromine generator also need to check
total dissolved solids and phosphates.
Sanitation and Shock
See page 22 to learn how to use sanitizer and shock.
Sanitizers kill bacteria and viruses
and keep the water clean. A low
sanitizer level will allow microbes to
grow quickly in the spa water. We
recommend using either chlorine or
bromine as your sanitizer.
You also need to add shock to the
water to stimulate the chemical sanitizer. How much you use
and how often depend on frequency and intensity of use.
Spa owners with an ozonator also need to add sanitizer,
although their requirements are different.
Filtration
See page 23 for lter cleaning instructions.
Cleaning your lter regularly is the easiest
and most effective single thing you can do to
keep your water clear.
A clogged or dirty lter will cause the heater
and pump to work harder than they need to,
possibly causing them to fail.
The spa’s heating system will only function
with the proper amount of water ow
through the system.
Regularity
See page 24 for the schedule of recommended
maintenance.
Clear water requires regular
maintenance. Establish a routine based
on a regular schedule for your spa
water maintenance.
Maintaining your water quality helps
the enjoyment of your spa and extends your spa’s life by
preventing damage from neglect and chemical abuse.
1
34
2
Water Quality Terms and Denitions
The following chemical terms are used in this section. Understanding their meaning will help you to better understand clear
water maintenance. Words in bold type are dened in this table.
Bromine /
Bromamines
Bromine is an efcient sanitizer chemical for spas. When used as a sanitizer, bromine forms
compounds called bromamines. Bromine can be added to the spa or automatically generated. See
page 22 for discussion on sanitizers.
Bromamines are compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils,
perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines, bromamines have no pungent odor and are effective
sanitizers.
Chlorine /
Chloramines
Chlorine is an efcient sanitizing chemical for spas. We recommend using sodium dichlor-type
granulated chlorine because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral. When used as a sanitizer,
chlorine forms compounds called chloramines. See page 22 for discussion on sanitizers.
Chloramines are compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body oils,
perspiration, etc. Chloramines can cause eye irritation as well as having a strong odor. Unlike
bromamines, chloramines are weaker, slower sanitizers. To remove chloramines, see the
description of shock below.