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How to Replace Your Watkins No-Fault Heater (10 Easy Steps)

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In this post, we will give you a step-by-step guide for replacing your spa’s Watkins No-Fault Heater. Just follow these steps and your spa will be up and running in no time!

how to replace your Watkins No-Fault Heater

It’s a beautiful, brisk, spring morning. The birds fill the air with music; glorious sunbeams stream through the tree-tops like glowing waterfalls. What a perfect morning to sit and wake up slowly in a warm soothing spa. I happily walk over to my spa, filled with anticipation… I remove the cover only to find an ice cold, lifeless, pool of dissatisfaction! Nooooooooo… Alas, I am doomed. (I know it’s a little dramatic, but you get the point.)

Table of Contents

SAFETY FIRST

Risk Of Electrical Shock – Always verify that all power is turned off to the subpanel that powers your spa.

Tools Needed-

  • Hose Clamp Pliers ( or Wine Corks!)
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Phillips Screw Driver
  • Flat Head Screw Driver

Step 1

Power down your spa by unplugging it from the outlet (120V Spas), or turning off at the main sub-panel breakers (220V Spas).

Step 2

Remove the front panel of the spa to gain access to the equipment compartment.

Step 3

Open the Control Box in the equipment compartment and locate all of the cables that lead to the heater. Be sure to make a note of where all of the heater cables are plugged in on the circuit boards. Disconnect all of the cables (from the circuit boards) that lead to the heater.
NOTE: Do not unscrew the sensors from the heater at this point; just unplug them from the control box.

Step 4

Locate the copper bonding wire and disconnect it from the heater. Leave the other end connected to the control box.

Step 5

With the heater cables and bonding wire disconnected, pinch and slide the 3/4″ tube spring clamps back from the inlet and outlet ports of the heater. Do the same for the 1/4″ tube spring clamp located on the backside of the heater.

Step 6

Use a heat gun or blow dryer to heat up the 3/4″ tubing attached to the heater inlet/outlet. This makes the tubing much easier to remove.

Step 7

IF SPA IS DRAINED-
Remove the 3/4″ tubing from the heater inlet/outlet.
IF SPA IS NOT DRAINED-
Quickly remove and plug the 3/4″ tubing, one tube at a time.
OR
Use hose clamps to stop the water flow to the heater.
The faster you do this step, the less water you will lose.
PRO TIP: You can use wine corks to plug the 3/4″ tubes!

Step 8

Remove the 1/4″ bleedline tube from the backside of the heater.

Step 9

Unscrew the heater from the equipment compartment floor and remove the heater from the spa.

Step 10

Carefully unscrew the thermistors (sensors- products #79005, #79006, or #78969 and #78970 if your spa thermistors plug into the outside of the contolbox) from the heater and remove the o-rings. Always replace the thermistors when replacing the heater.

To install the new Watkins No-Fault Heater, simply reverse steps 1-10!

  • Install the thermistors into the heater
  • Screw the heater to the floor of the equipment compartment
  • Attach all of the plumbing
  • Slide the spring clamps into position
  • Plug all of the cables coming from the heater into their proper places in the control box, and reinstall the copper bonding wire.
  • Screw the lid back on the control box and secure the front panel (door) back into place.
  • Restore power to your spa and enjoy!

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