Author Topic: Newb (Read 6619 times)

Riggs8402 · « **on:** January 21, 2015, 09:41:37 pm »

Sat in a friend's hot tub last weekend and got the bug. Been to three different stores in Oklahoma City this week checking out different brands. I've looked at Hot Spring, Artesian, Viking, Jacuzzi, LA Spas, Catalina. We've narrowed it down to three.
The Hot Spring Envoy
The Artesian Grand Bahama
The Jacuzzi J335.
Most likely going to go with the Jacuzzi because they quoted us $7995 and it's going to cost us about $3000 to get the damn power run from one end of the house to the end where the spa is going to sit. Not happy about that, but after several quotes it seems that's the going rate for all the electrical work I'm going to need done.
Sure did like that Hot Spring Envoy and the moto massage, but just can't justify the price. Not going to worry about any added options, I'm probably going to build a gazebo around it with a bar and some privacy, maybe an outdoor stereo system. Can't wait to get it bought and installed and get the area customized to be my own. Looking forward to sharing some photos later.

Hot Tub Forum · « **on:** January 21, 2015, 09:41:37 pm »

Quickbeam · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2015, 10:30:31 pm »

The J-335 is a nice tub but just a word of caution. You really should wet test before you purchase. My wife and I were pretty sure we were going to get the J-335 until we wet tested and found that we both floated out of the lounge seat. We ended up getting the Jacuzzi J-345, which we love.

Riggs8402 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2015, 10:43:01 pm »

Already on top of it. The dealer is going to have it fired up for us by tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up though!

Quickbeam · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2015, 12:19:06 am »

Good luck with your wet test. Let us know how it goes.

Levelheadsteve · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2015, 01:31:31 am »

Is part of the $3,000 for trenching or something?

Riggs8402 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2015, 05:33:11 pm »

Unfortunately not. My house was built in 1965 and it's still coded to 1965. Once he puts in the new box for the 220V 50AMP he's got to call an inspector, which means he has to bring the rest of it to code as well.

Quickbeam · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2015, 05:41:26 pm »

I don't know a lot about electrical, but if there is any way you can go 60 amps instead of 50 you might want to think about it.

Riggs8402 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2015, 06:17:02 pm »

We were originally looking at a 60amp tub and ended up with a 50amp tub. Electrician and hot tub salesman both told us to change the service to 50amp, didn't want to burn anything up using 60amp

Quickbeam · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2015, 07:39:04 pm »

I take it then that you already have your tub and it's already wired??? I can't see how it would have hurt anything to run the correct guage wire for 60 amp service and just use a 50 amp breaker. Would have cost pennies more, and that way in the future if you ever get a tub that required 60 amps you have it. But I suppose it's water under the bridge if it's already done.
Just so you know why I'm suggesting this, we had a new home built and had it wired for a hot tub. What I didn't find out until we took possession, was that the electrician only wired for 50 amps. We could have got by on 50 amps, but with our tub, if you have both jet pumps running, the heater won't come on with 50 amps. So, we spent a lot of extra cash to have him re-wire and give us 60 amp service. Now we can have both jets running and the heater works. Cost us a fair bit extra but don't regret doing it. Just wish it had been wired for 60 amps in the first place!

Riggs8402 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2015, 12:51:54 am »

Hot tub was delivered today and the electrician got everything wrapped up today. I ran this by him. He told me everything between the breaker panel and the junction box is rated at 60 amp. From the junction box to the tub is rated at 50 amp, but only 8 foot of cable to replace if 60 amp is ever needed. Don't know why he chose to do it like that, but he did it like that.. and my tub is up and running. so I can't really complain! lol

Wrapped everything up at 20:30 this evening, it's 23:45 now and the temp is only up to 71�. Looks like I won't be testing it out until after work tomorrow. Bummer.

Here are a couple videos, one of the delivery and one once the electrician finished wiring it up.
http://youtu.be/vZC8j9GTU0o

http://youtu.be/hUrUi6EWDkw

Quickbeam · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2015, 11:07:36 am »

Congratulations on your new tub. It looks great. As far as your electrical connection, sounds like you'll be fine if you ever need to go to 60 amps. You'll be much better off than I was.

Sam · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2015, 11:29:08 am »

Grats! That's a great spa. Happy Hot-Tubbing

Riggs8402 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2015, 09:45:37 pm »

By the way, it's not the Jacuzzi I was originally looking at. This is a Tropic Seas Maui 851L, made by Artesian.

wmccall · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2015, 07:33:38 am »

COngratulations and welcome to the forum. I remember waiting for that tub to heat the first time!

Hot Tub Forum · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2015, 07:33:38 am »

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