HS auxillary control panel

[96SC]

I have read posts in the recent past about new HS spas having a less than perfect auxillary control panel and that there is a readily available replacement.

We will have our new Vanguard delivered in a few weeks, should we request they put the new auxillary panel in at delivery or wait to see if it does fail then call the dealer?

Thanks :-/

[kervis]

Mine just failed.  It took a year to do so.  I like the clean, new design much better--less buttons for the kids to push!  

[meriflower]

I don't own a Hot Spring but if this is a known failure I would prefer them to put in a new control panel before everything is set up.  Dealer/manufacturer may feel differently though.

One would think (or hope) that Hot Spring is already using the "replacement" in production and they are no longer making spas with the faulty controller.  If this is the case then perhaps your new Vanguard will already have the new controller in place.

Does anyone know for sure?  Below is link to Hot Spring website - is that the pic of the new controller or is it the old?

http://www.hotspring.com/Spa_Showroom_Hot_Tub/spa_control_iq2020.html

[Gary]

You should wait.

[hottubdan]

That looks like the new panel in the picture.

I believe all production spas are getting the new panel now.

While it is a known issue, and some people went through multiple panels, it was not a 100% failure.

The good news is the failed aux panel did not make the spa nonfunctional and for 5 years they have been and will be replaced under warranty.

[The_Pa._Lady]

My Aux panel failed after almost a yr.  I called the dealer and they were here to replace it the next day.  Not complicated to change, didn't take them long.  Who knows, yours may never fail.  I really think they are using the updated ones now.  The one shown on line is the newer one.

Enjoy your hot tub.

[jeff925]

what exactly fails on the panel? I notice the buttons on mine are kinda sticking, in fact the jet button got stuck down and i had to give it a hit to make it come back up.

[96SC]

what exactly fails on the panel? I notice the buttons on mine are kinda sticking, in fact the jet button got stuck down and i had to give it a hit to make it come back up.

http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1182008337

Hope this link works, its to a post to where folks were discussing what a bad panel will act like.

[hottubdan]

what exactly fails on the panel? I notice the buttons on mine are kinda sticking, in fact the jet button got stuck down and i had to give it a hit to make it come back up.

If buttons are getting stuck, that is the failure.

[jeff925]

Thanks for the post, sounds like I need to get it replaced

[Vanguard]

All the new spas are coming with the new panel.  I just saw them in a dealership in South Carolina.  They look and feel much nicer.  Watkins went with a new vendor for the panel.  The old one just couldn't fix the problem.

You can tell if its a new one because it looks and feels to have a brushed stainless steel look.  Not sure if it is Stainless, but it looks different.

The pictures online are the old one.  The buttons are now different as well.  

[The_Pa._Lady]

Vanguard,

could you please post a picture of the new panel.  We just had ours replaced, but I'm not sure if it's the new type.  Thanks.

[Gomboman]

Vanguard,

could you please post a picture of the new panel.  We just had ours replaced, but I'm not sure if it's the new type.  Thanks.

It's in this post.

http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1182008337

[kevinv18]

Is the new panel not standard on the 2007 spas?

Because the HotSpring website only shows the old panel.

http://www.hotspring.com/Spa_Showroom_Hot_Tub/spa_control_iq2020.html

[Seahawk]

Yes, all new spas are coming equiped with the new aux. panel,  and so far I haven't seen any of the new panels fail.