Hot tub won't warm past 70°

[dwittig33]

Hi there, bought a used mountain springs kootenai hot tub off of Craigslist. Don't know much about it, but got it hooked up and it heated from 53° up to 70. I had it turned up to 103, but for whatever reason the selected temperature reset to 70. When I go to turn the heat up it will act like it is set for the higher temperature and heat for a minute, then reset back to 70. Any ideas? I'm new to hot tubs but fairly handy.

Thanks for your help

[castletonia]

Stuck button on the control panel?  Unplug the control panel from the circuit board and see if it heats up.

[dwittig33]

Thanks, will the high limit shut off will work without the control panel plugged in?

[castletonia]

It should.  The hot tub should be able to heat up without the control panel

[dwittig33]

Unhooking the control panel didn't work, but what I did fine was if I place the upper temperature probe outside the tub, it heated up. Basically tricked it to thinking the water was colder than 70, and it kept the heat on.  I checked the resistance and got 16000 ohms which I believe is what I should have (based on one internet post I found).  Should I replace it anyways?

Also there's a probe that inserts into the heater well and the one that goes halfway up the spa.  Is the heater one the high limit and the other the thermostat? Thanks for your help

[Jacuzzi Jim]

 Did you check to see if it was in some kind of economy or sleep mode?  Not sure your system can do that, but it might be worth looking in to.  Other then that I would replace the temp sensor as it is cheap to do.  The other sensor is likely a high limit.

[dwittig33]

Thanks Jim, I was wondering that too, but I can't find any info on the control panel. It's an ip-15 r spa control panel. Nothing that I see on Google.

Also the brand mountain springs doesn't seem to be around any more either. Can't find much into on the spa itself. Don't know if anybody has any knowledge or contacts about them. 

Thanks again

[Jacuzzi Jim]

 Doesn't really matter what brand spa it is, but what brand equipment they put in it.  90% of the time Balboa is used, or Gecko?   Some pics would be helpful of the topside.

[dwittig33]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zozn8qdQTOeDEtAB3

https://photos.app.goo.gl/I2NpArg3NBxWPvmW2

Here is pictures of my topside control panel and my circuit board. hope the link works.  Thanks again

[dwittig33]

also the topside display plugs into the circuit board with a phone jack... Are they pretty interchangeable?  I was looking at replacing it with something like this because the buttons don't work great and the display is dim. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Balboa-Lite-Duplex-Digital-Single-Jet-Temp-Light-LED-Spa-Control-Overlay-10753/302676622539?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Thanks

[castletonia]

I have no idea who makes that.  Topside control panels are to an extent proprietary.  Balboa works with Balboa, Gecko works with Gecko.  Many times though, it is also a specific model and you need the exact control panel. 

[Jacuzzi Jim]

I have no idea who makes that.  Topside control panels are to an extent proprietary.  Balboa works with Balboa, Gecko works with Gecko.  Many times though, it is also a specific model and you need the exact control panel.

  Me either.   I would say get a volt meter and confirm there is 220 going to the heater.  As far as the topside it would be a crap shoot, but it may work.  Except that is not the actual controller but the sticker that goes to it.  Guessing you knew that..   See what happens when you push the light btn and the + or - btn at the same time.  It might say SLP (sleep) ECON (economy) or STD (standard) you would want it in STD if it is in one of the other modes.  May or may not work. 

[dwittig33]

Haha, wow I did not know it was just a sticker. Thanks. I do have 220 going to the heater. I'll try the light button & + or -. Thanks guys

[SerjicalStrike]

If you have 220v going to the heater, then everything up to the heater is working as it should.  Now you need to measure if the heater is drawing any amperage.  220v + no amperage = bad heater.