Testing a HOT TUB Pressure Switch / Hot Tub Water Not Heating?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Other Video links on our home page to test the pressure switch by turning the pressure switch (SEE VIDEO FOR THAT).

[@IrishKillian]

Hi, I have a Bull Frog A Series hot tub. When you run the jets through a cycle it runs fine but as soon as the cycle ends it will throw error codes. It will either say the heater is dry or the water flow is low. I have tested the heating element but I do not see a pressure switch to test.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@IrishKillian the DRY code normally means it's a flow problem. Try pulling the filters and see what happens. Let me know

[@IrishKillian]

I pulled the filters and it still threw both error codes when the cycle ended. I have already drained and cleaned the hot tub and filters. I pulled the water lines to make sure there wasn’t any air in them too. Does my hot tub not have a pressure switch? Does it just go off the circuit board? Thanks for responding! I didn’t expect to get a response so quick. That is really nice of you!

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@IrishKillian The newer Bull Frog tubs don't have a pressure switch. Not sure the year or model you have.

[@IrishKillian]

The hot tub is a 2018 A-Series. The annoying thing is I looked in the manual for help but it doesn’t tell you anything. I tried unplugging everything from the circuit board hoping it would reset something but that didn’t work either. What takes the place of the pressure switch if it doesn’t have one? Is there anything else I could test power to?

[@gregkornfeld8232]

I just bypassed my water pressure switch based on this video on my pool heater and I got the heater to fire up. I'm replacing my pressure switch. Thank you for showing this! Saved me a service call.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Its a good "temp" fix. Never turn off the pump with that bypassed. Heater will not shut off and will melt all the plumbing.

[@chadbrewer5180]

Thanks pal, that method gave my Caldera Vacanza another code; however when I left the two wires connected and then jumped them. It kicked the heater on. I also tapped lightly on it… not sure what made kick. But the knowledge you gave me allowed me to figure out I have a faulty switch. Thank you sir, I subscribed.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Your Awesome ! If there's a video that I don't have but want to see, let me know. Thanks for watching and subscribing.

[@georgelouie5330]

Thanks for this video, it helped me troubleshoot a problem with my hot tub heat not working. I do have a question.. I understand why you wouldn't want to continue to operate the hot tub with the pressure switch bypassed because you're basically bypassing a safety and equipment protection interlock. But why is leaving it connected for testing to see if the heat comes an issue that would require 2 people? Even with the jumper in place, the water in the heater tube will not heat up and evaporate that quickly, so as soon as you see the heat is on, you should still have plenty of time to turn the power off. Alternatively, if you wanted to be completely safe, you could disconnect the heater at the terminal block altogether, then use voltmeter to check if you have voltage across the terminals when the power is turned on and the pressure switch bypassed.. That will tell you whether the heater is coming on, without actually putting power across the eating element.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

This is only one way of testing if the heat comes on or not. I do have other videos covering this.

[@IrishKillian]

Hi, I have a Bull Frog A Series hot tub. When you run the jets through a cycle it runs fine but as soon as the cycle ends it throws error codes. It will either say the heater is dry or the water flow is low. I have tested the heating element but I do not see a pressure switch to test.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

This normally means it's a flow issue. Try pulling the filter and see. Let me Know

[@IamtheComedybroker]

Thanks for the video. I replaced my switch (flc error) with a new pressure switch now I get an FLO error code. Maybe new switch is defective? the adventure continues...

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Make sure the pump that pushes water thru the heat tube is running. Pull the filters. Make sure wire from the switch to the board is good and plugged in right. Make sure the 2 pins on the board are good and clean.

[@IamtheComedybroker]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas all was good I turned a 1/4 turn counter clockwise on the switch it worked thank you for your help..keep up the videos!!

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@IamtheComedybroker remember. This is just a temporary fix. Order one right away and you'll have it when it will fail.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Make sure to subscribe, it helps me make more of these videos. Thanks

[@georgelouie5330]

I have a questions about hot tub repair, but not directly related to the Pressure Switch .. My Marquis Spas Hot Tub topside control panel is unreadable in daylight and barely readable at night. Its a 3 button control panel (Jets, Temp & Light). 8 pin "phone type" connector. I'm having trouble locating a replacement topside control panel. 1. Will removing/replacing the overlay help with visibility of the LCD display? 2. The circuit board is made by Balboa Controls . Can i use another 3 button topside control panel that has the same buttons controls, works with Balboa circuit boards and an 8 pin "phone-type" cable? 3. If not, is there a way to adapt or retrofit one?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Overlay will not help the screen visibility. Whatever Balboa pack you have there are other topsides that will fit but might have to go with other buttons on it. Search the pack you have and see what's available?.

[@georgelouie5330]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas - i did search for the topside controller... They're hard to find as the hot tub is 25 years old. Hard to cross reference the old part number on the side of the module.. i'll look at it more thoroughly once i get the new pressure switch installed. Any chance you can do a video on any issues from using different controllers with a different board?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@georgelouie5330 different topside with a different pack will not work if it's not designed for it.

[@georgelouie5330]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas sorry, i misunderstood the earlier post.. when you say "pack", you're referring to the circuit board?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@georgelouie5330 spa pack. Yes. It has the circuit board in it.

[@FAMILYGUY983]

I have a Viking Spa. I get an FL error. I just pulled the lead from the pressure switch off the board and it starts right up. I assume I have a bad switch?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

If you pull the lead off, it should show the FL code. Surprised it went away. Try changing it and see if that works. FL code could be something else also.

[@stevenosborn2309]

use a fuse instead of a jumper wire, the blades connectors will slide right on

[@paragb]

Hello I have Infiniti Maax hottub early 2000 model. I am getting FLO error, heater indicator flashing 4 times. I can feel heating is ON, as temperature increases to the set point but pump keeps running. If switch ON jets, FLO error goes away. I couldn't locate pressure switch. Please help.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Look on the circuit board and look for the pressure switch and where its plugged into. Follow the wire back to the pressure switch. Adjust the switch. ALSO. Set the temp to 102. Once its to the set point, then lower the temp down until the pump turns off. If it doesnt turn off, its something else. Was the hot tub running fine before? Has there been something new put in? How long have you had the hot tub running (on your property) for before the issue?

[@DirtyRaymond95]

Hi! I’m having the 3 light issue with my hot tub, when I put the jumper cable in, I had the same issue - showing current temp 16.5C and 3 flashing lights? Then I unscrewed one side of the heater tube to see if it had air in (as mentioned in another of your videos) then the pump started making a low vibration noise, but the heater light on the pack isn’t coming on and I still have the 3 flashing lights? Any ideas to help a poor guy out? 😅

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

The 3 lights issue is normally a flow problem. Pull filters and look for a blockage of some sort.

[@DirtyRaymond95]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas hey! It hasn’t got any filters in at the moment, the water is brand new and clean. All the jets are running (seemingly fine) .. I’ve replaced the heater element a couple days ago, and awaiting a pressure switch to be delivered now! Hoping that solves the issue! Do you have a video about how to set a new switch up? As I imagine it’s not simply plug and play? 😄

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Remember, the 3 lights blinking are a flow issue. Make sure all knifevalves are open and that there's nothing blocking or restricting flow.

[@DirtyRaymond95]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas I’ll have another look to be sure! Thanks! When I fit the pressure switch, do I need to set up the top screw? Or should it just be fine straight off the bat?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@DirtyRaymond95 its all set

[@debraberndt137]

If I did the bypass wire or jumper wire and it trips my braker so it not the pressure switch?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Its not the pressure switch. You just turned on the switch and something else tripped it. More than likely its the element. The only time you would test the pressure switch is if it wasn't heating and you tested the element first.

[@debraberndt137]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas so i have replaced the flow sensor cause i was getting error FL. hot tub worked great right after words temp went to the temp i had it set at. the next day temp slowly started dropping and will not get any warmer then 56 i replaced heating element checked all fuzes replaced filter checked for air locks did the jumper wire trick to see if it was pressure switch when i did jumper wire it tripped the breaker. i'm lost not sure where to look or start to fix any help would be grateful

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Do you have a pressure switch or flow switch? Can't have both.

[@debraberndt137]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas pressure switch

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@debraberndt137 Turn power off for 5 mins, then turn back on. Test volts at the element after heat indicator light comes on. Same time you'll heat the relay click.

[@georgesontag2192]

I don't see how this works. If you short out the pressure switch, the start up routine says we have pressure but the pump is not on. That is an error. Once your running, I see shorting the pressure switch. Heater heats because we have pressure. Cannot have heat with no water pressure.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

It's not shorting it, it's just bypassing it to see if it's the pressure switch or something else. Pressure switch only controls if the heat comes on or not. Pressure switch can not control any other equipment in the hot tub. It's the "safety feature" just for the heater element.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

A faulty pressure will not affect the pumps. Pump 1 or circ pump will come on or stay on trying to heat. The pump will run forever if it's a bad switch. Sometimes a error code will come up and sometimes not.

[@IrishKillian]

Hi, I have a Bull Frog A Series hot tub. When you run the jets through a cycle it runs fine but as soon as the cycle ends it throws error codes. It will either say the heater is dry or the water flow is low. I have tested the heating element but I do not see a pressure switch to test.

[@aintwhatitaint8626]

I have the same thing going on and trying to diagnose. Any updates?