SpaGuts VS300FC5 User manual

Installation P/N 73-200-0300, Rev. A, 9/04/2015
Installation Instructions for Licensed Electricians, Plumbers,
and Spa Technicians
All components are intended to be installed and tested by a licensed electrician who is experienced in spas
and hot tubs. A properly installed GFCI and grounding must be installed with any system. Installation
must be permitted and inspected prior to use.
Any sales or technical advice provided on the Spaguts.com website or by Spaguts.com staff shall not be
construed to authorize or suggest anything but professional installation.
SpaGuts brand VS300FC5 Spa Controller
Parts Content:
(1) SpaGuts brand VS300FC5 Spa Controller w/ M7 5.5KW Flo-Thru Heater, P/N 54855
(1) SpaGuts brand VL200 LCD Topside Panel w/ 7ft cable and 8-wire phone-type connector, P/N 50553
(2) Heater Split Nuts, 2 inch, P/N 40-350-5421 (installed on each end of heater)
(2) Heater Tailpieces, 2 inch, P/N 25-350-1052 (installed on each end of heater)
(2) Heater O-Ring Gaskets, 2 inch, P/N 25-350-4030 (installed on each end of heater)
(1) System Wiring Diagram, Labeled VS300FC5 –PN 56757 (attached to inside controller cover)
(1) Double-Sided Operation Guide with Diagnostic Messages, 300F Series, P/N 40887
(1) Installation Instructions, P/N 73-200-0300 (Available Online under VS300FC5, look under SpaGuts brand)
(1) Light Package (includes one 8ft light harness, one 12V 12W Clear Light Bulb, and one white light reflector)
(1) Pump Cord, 4ft, 4-wire, 14 AWG, w/ 4-prong amp plug, P/N 15-150-3060 or 21087
(1) Accessory Cord, 4ft, 3-wire, 14AWG, w/ 4-prong amp plug, P/N 15-150-0024 or 21086
Plumbing up the system:
This system will work if the pump draws or discharges water through the heater. Minimum water flow required is 25 GPM. Minimum
plumbing size required is 1.5 inch. This system is equipped with M7 Technology (no pressure switch). There are dual sensors installed
on the heater to measure the water temperature flowing through the heater. No need to mount any sensors or flow switches. The heater has
standard 2.0 inch plumbing fittings. If the spa plumbing is 1.5 inch, use reducers to connect to the heater 2.0 inch heater tailpieces. If re-
plumbing is necessary, use PVC Glue with primer to connect the plumbing. When installing an In-Line Filter System, either install it
before the heat pump and controller or after the heat pump and controller. Never install the filter system in between the heat pump and
controller. Make sure to create a water flow bypass plumbing around the filter for sufficient water flow. For systems installed near or
above the water level, and more than 5 feet from the tub, install the In-Line Filter System after the heat pump and controller with a water
flow bypass plumbing. A water flow bypass plumbing allows half the water to go through the filter and half the water to go around the
filter. This way water flow is not restricted. We recommend NSF rated flexible PVC for simpler connections. Go to this link for more
info: http://www.spaguts.com/Product.aspx?ID=42.
Wiring Instructions:
*110V Power Supply, 60Hz
*Minimum 20A Power Supply is required. Use Copper Conductors Only. See wiring diagram for more information.
Please note that this Installation requires 3 dedicated wire connections to the power terminal block (TB1) on the Circuit Board. These
include Line 1, Neutral and Ground. Connect Hot wire to Line 1 terminal. Connect Neutral wire to Neutral terminal. If a dedicated
Neutral wire is not connected, the heater will never come on and/or the system will not operate properly. For 110V operation, add a
jumper wire from terminal J11 to terminal J32 (SEE WIRING DIAGRAM FOR VERIFICATION). If this jumper wire is not installed,
the heater circuit will not activate. A white jumper wire is included with the controller and can be found attached to the back of the
controller box. Note that this jumper wire may have already been installed at the factory based on your configuration. Lastly, connect
Ground to the Grounding Bar located on the side of the controller box. Since this system is not equipped with a GFCI, it is REQUIRED
by the National Electric Code to install an external GFCI for safety and protection. Any mis-wiring or improper installation will void the
warranty and could cause personal injury, death, fire or property damage.

Installation P/N 73-200-0300, Rev. A, 9/04/2015
Note: For 110V systems, the heater will only operate when the pump is running on low speed. When the pump is on high speed, the heater
will not operate until the high speed turns off.
*220V Power Supply, 60Hz
*Minimum 50A Power Supply is required. Use Copper Conductors Only. See wiring diagram for more information.
Please note that this Installation requires 4 dedicated wire connections to the power terminal block (TB1) on the Circuit Board. These
include Line 1, Line 2, Neutral and Ground. Connect Line 1 wire to Line 1 terminal. Connect Line 2 wire to Line 2 terminal. Connect
Neutral wire to Neutral terminal. If a dedicated Neutral wire is not connected, the heater will never come on and/or the system will not
operate properly. Lastly, connect Ground to the Grounding Bar located on the side of the controller box. Since this system is not equipped
with a GFCI, it is REQUIRED by the National Electric Code to install an external GFCI for safety and protection. Any mis-wiring or
improper installation will void the warranty and could cause personal injury, death, fire or property damage.
Do Not follow the color of the original power wires, Black, Red, White and Green. DON'T ASSUME THESE WIRES ARE WIRED
ACCORDING TO LOCAL CODES. Some original wirings can have the wires mixed up. Get a voltage meter and verify each wire to
make sure which colored wire is Line 1, Neutral, and Ground. Failure to do so will cause major electrical damage to the controller and/or
other equipment, and void the warranty.
DO NOT POWER UP THE SPA UNLESS THE SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY INSTALLED AND THE SPA IS COMPLETELY FILLED
UP WITH WATER. Doing so can cause a dry fire, which can damage the heater and controller, and will void the warranty.
Primary Pump Circuit: The primary pump circuit should have already been configured for the correct voltage output based on your
order for “Factory Configured”. For “Field Configurable Kit”or if you find out that the pump motor is rated at a different voltage, make
sure to configure pump 1 circuit to the correct voltage for the pump motor by following the wiring diagram that is provided.
Pump Motor wiring: The primary pump cord will have 4 wires for two speed operation. This system utilize the RED wire for High-
Speed and the BLACK wire for Low-speed in Two-Speed Pump Circuits. The White wire is for Line/Common connection, and the Green
wire is for ground. Keep this in mind when connecting a Two-Speed pump that has not been purchased with this system. If using a single
speed pump as the primary pump, cap off the RED wire. Connect the primary pump cord in Pump 1 location (J23) on the circuit board.
The plug will only fit one way. Make sure the clip on the plug latches to ensure tight connection. If a complete Spa Pack with pump was
ordered, the pump cord should have already been connected.
Ozone Circuit: The ozone circuit should have already been configured for the correct voltage output based on your order for “Factory
Configured”. For “Field Configurable Kit”or if you find out that the ozone unit is rated at a different voltage, make sure to configure the
ozone circuit to the correct voltage for the ozone unit by following the wiring diagram that is provided.
Ozone wiring: The ozone cord will have 3 wires. The Black wire is for Line 1. The White wire is for Common connection, and the Green
wire is for ground. Connect the ozone cord in the Ozone location (J29) on the circuit board. The plug will only fit one way. Make sure the
clip on the plug latches to ensure tight connection. Only connect the ozone cord if it is being used.
Circulation Pump Circuit: NOT available on this system.
Dip Switch Settings: The dip switches on the circuit board (as known as Switch Bank A, red in color with white switches) should have
already been configured for the correct setting based on your order for “Factory Configured”. For “Field Configurable Kit”or if a
different setup is required, the dip switches need to be configured. If so, please follow the dip switch settings based on the new setup by
using the wiring diagram as a reference.
Topside Panel Installation: A hole cut out of 3.75 inch x 1.0 inch is required for the SpaGuts Topside Panel, P/N 50553. A topside cover
plate (included) can be used if the existing hole cut out is larger than the topside panel. Clean the surface area before installation of the
new topside panel. Position the topside panel in the direction for operational purpose as desired. Then carefully insert the topside cable
through the hole cut out. Remove the protective label from the sticky gasket on the back of the topside panel. Then apply the topside
panel above the hole cut out or cover plate. Silicone can be used under the lip of the topside panel for additional water leak protection
prior to installation of the topside panel. Connect the topside cable plug into J1 connector on the circuit board. The clip on the topside
cable plug should snap in place to ensure a secure connection. Note that this control system does not allow a secondary topside panel or
an auxiliary topside panel connection. If a longer topside cable is needed, DO NOT splice the cable or disconnect the cable from the back
of the topside panel to install a longer cable. Doing so will affect the proper functionality of the topside panel and completely void the
topside warranty. Available at www.spaguts.com is P/N 30311 for the 10ft extension cable, and P/N 22639 for the 25ft extension cable.
Maximum cable length is 50ft in order for the topside panel to work properly.
Light wiring: The light harness is 8ft long with 2 wires. One end of the light harness has a 2-prong amp plug, and the other end has a
light socket that fits a 12V 12W light bulb or a ColorGlo Led Light (http://www.spaguts.com/Products/colorglo-led-lights-47.aspx).
Connect the 2-prong amp plug in location (J20) on the circuit board. The plug will only fit one way. Make sure the clip on the plug latches
to ensure tight connection. Insert the light bulb into the light socket. Then insert the light socket with light bulb into the existing light
housing on the spa. The white light reflector can also be used if it fits in the existing light housing. If a light housing is not installed, it can
be purchased by going to this link: http://www.spaguts.com/Products/thru-shell-light-lense-kit-88.aspx. Only connect the light harness if it
is being used.
Audio Video wiring (A/V): NOT available on this system.

Installation P/N 73-200-0300, Rev. A, 9/04/2015
DO NOT POWER UP THE SPA UNLESS THE SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY INSTALLED AND THE SPA IS COMPLETELY
FILLED UP WITH WATER. Doing so can cause a dry fire, which can damage the heater and controller, and will void the
warranty.
After installation is complete, completely fill the spa with water to the required level. Refer to the Spa Owners Manual for the required
water level. We recommend using the “Pure Fill Spa Pre-Filter” for fresh clean water. DO NOT OVERFILL. Overflowing the spa will
cause water to infiltrate the system and other electrical parts. Damages caused by water infiltration will not be covered under warranty.
Once the spa is completely filled to the required level, then power up the spa and purge the water lines to help remove air from the lines.
The “Pr” message will appear on the topside panel which indicates water purging is required or is in progress. If the pump is not running,
press on the Jets key to activate the pump on high speed. You may also bleed air out of the plumbing by loosening the plumbing fittings a
bit, and then run the pump high speed on/off until all the air is out. Once there is constant strong water pressure from the jets, you can
now proceed with normal operations. Make sure all plumbing fittings are tighten, and fix any water leak right away.
System Maintenance: It is recommended to monitor the spa equipment every month. Check out for water leaks, internally and externally,
and for abnormal operations. Get it repaired right away if there is a problem. Don't allow the problem to get worst. It is recommended to
inspect for any loose connections and for any damaged cables every 3-6 months (especially on the power terminal block, component cord,
and sensors). Loose connections will cause improper operation and overheat the wires. Damaged cables are mostly cause by rodents.
Spa Maintenance: Use ONLY Spa rated chemicals. We recommend using ozone, Mineral Cartridges and a small amount of chemical to
treat the water. Ozone and Mineral Cartridges reduces maintenance and decreases the use of chemicals up to 90%. Keeping the water
balanced is required. Soften water and salt is corrosive to heater elements that are made out of Incoloy metal. We also recommend to test
the spa water every single day, and treat the spa water as needed.