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I have little to no experience with Beachcomber. I have a dealer friend who use to be bigger with them, but it looks like they really pulled out of the USA, so I would say State side support would most certainly be worse then Caldera on a manufacturer standpoint.However, with that said... your question comes down to the dealer. Watkins (Caldera) is a dream for the most part for me to work with. Course... I have an awesome relationship with those people. Check the dealer out. Reviews, testimonials, gut feelings. Go from there.
The Beachcomber has the equipment under the steps from what I saw on their page. Not sure if I like it out in the cold like that.
FYI most modern tubs have freeze protection that will run the pump when the water in the plumbing gets below a set temp, even if the heater isn't working.
Quote from: Tman122 on September 10, 2017, 08:40:57 pmFYI most modern tubs have freeze protection that will run the pump when the water in the plumbing gets below a set temp, even if the heater isn't working.I know that if the heater opens and does not short out. It is my understanding a very common heater problem is weeping and causes a GFCI fault condition. Once the GFCI trips the tub on a single breaker can do nothing as it has no power. I agree if something malfunctions in the heater control circuit and the heater just wont come on then the tub will cool down and any sensor system could keep water moving if the outside temp is cold enough for a freeze. No one when I was shopping seamed to know anything about these systems or how they work. I had to find all the information on my tub by asking around the dealer had no clue why the tub had a dual GFCI.
Quote from: bud16415 on September 10, 2017, 09:33:21 pmQuote from: Tman122 on September 10, 2017, 08:40:57 pmFYI most modern tubs have freeze protection that will run the pump when the water in the plumbing gets below a set temp, even if the heater isn't working.I know that if the heater opens and does not short out. It is my understanding a very common heater problem is weeping and causes a GFCI fault condition. Once the GFCI trips the tub on a single breaker can do nothing as it has no power. I agree if something malfunctions in the heater control circuit and the heater just wont come on then the tub will cool down and any sensor system could keep water moving if the outside temp is cold enough for a freeze. No one when I was shopping seamed to know anything about these systems or how they work. I had to find all the information on my tub by asking around the dealer had no clue why the tub had a dual GFCI.You are correct and it is common here in Minnesota to disconnect a heater that is weaping/shorting to allow the pump to function until a repair can be facilitated. I've even direct wired pumps until I could get a new heater installed. We get creative in cold weather.
I’m sure you have seen tubs that froze up. I have no idea if it is common or not , but what kind of damage do you see if an equipment bay freezes? Are there tubs with alarms and such? Any type plumbing and pumps better than others at surviving?