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!
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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