Author Topic: Caldera heater? (Read 3862 times)

truth649 · « **on:** April 13, 2019, 10:53:29 am »

2004 Caldera Tahitian Utopia, heater not working. Thermostat relay clicks on and off as the temperature setting is adjusted. 120VAC from both heater contacts to ground when heater is activated, but no heat. No panel errors or flashing temp light. I have to assume it is a bad heater element but wanted to run it by the experts in case I am missing something stupid. Thanks for any advice!

Hot Tub Forum · « **on:** April 13, 2019, 10:53:29 am »

Tman122 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2019, 07:57:49 am »

Quote from: truth649 on April 13, 2019, 10:53:29 am

2004 Caldera Tahitian Utopia, heater not working. Thermostat relay clicks on and off as the temperature setting is adjusted. 120VAC from both heater contacts to ground when heater is activated, but no heat. No panel errors or flashing temp light. I have to assume it is a bad heater element but wanted to run it by the experts in case I am missing something stupid. Thanks for any advice!

Checking the contacts to ground is not the proper way to test that heater. What is the resistance from contact to contact?

bud16415 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2019, 08:39:59 am »

Testing between hot to ground and getting 120v shows you have power. You could also check hot to hot. If your Caldera tub has the double GFCI like mine does the 20a side is the heater and it sounds like you didn�t trip that.

Checking the resistance from hot to hot with the power leads removed and the power off should show an open circuit if the heater element is blown.

Sounds like its time for a heater most likely.

truth649 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2019, 09:59:01 am »

Thanks for the help! I pulled the power leads to the heater and checked the resistance of the element. It is 14 Ohms so the element seems OK. Power across the element before disconnecting it was millivolts when the heater was supposed to be on. It is looking like the relay control board is the culprit.

bud16415 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2019, 07:59:34 am »

You did check to see if the heater side of the GFCI was not tripping?

truth649 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2019, 10:02:28 am »

yes, replaced the relay control board and all is fine now! Easy job, about a half hour start to finish. Thanks everyone!

bud16415 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2019, 03:27:08 pm »

Quote from: truth649 on April 18, 2019, 10:02:28 am

yes, replaced the relay control board and all is fine now! Easy job, about a half hour start to finish. Thanks everyone!

Glad to hear!

Spatech_tuo · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2019, 05:14:55 pm »

Quote from: truth649 on April 18, 2019, 10:02:28 am

yes, replaced the relay control board and all is fine now! Easy job, about a half hour start to finish. Thanks everyone!

Not a surprise really, always good to hear a 15 year old spa still going strong but some things are unavoidable over time.

Hot Tub Forum · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2019, 05:14:55 pm »

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