Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Bonibelle on October 31, 2006, 07:17:29 pm
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Anyone had a problem with the floating remote controls on their Marquis tubs?
Mine is not even a year old yet and it died! :'( I can't imagine that a battery could be bad because it is not used that often (compared to a TV remote or even my spa monitor). :( :(
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Bonni,
I have a Marquis Quest model - and a two button floating remote. My spa was 'installed' in February of this year (2006). My original remote 'died' :'( in September. I tried replacing the batteries (watch out for the waterproofing 'gel'!). It still wouldn't work - so I took it to the dealer - who ordered a replacement for me - and delivered it in less than a week.
I'm not sure what the problem is - but I kept the first remote under the cover in the spa - in the 'holder'. Since receiving the new remote - I only take it "in" the spa when I am using it - I keep it in the house otherwise.
I guess the remotes aren't all that 'waterproof' afterall! But I got a replacement no questions asked from my dealer! :)
I'll be watching this thread to see if any of the Marquis dealers chime in with their suggestions / opinions.
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Boni: You can open the remote with a phillips screw driver. The battery is likely dead. I have seen a few that were not sealed properly and water got to the batteries. The electronic board has a clear jello like seal in that protects it. It is covered under a 3 year warranty, so take it to your dealer if the new battery doesn't fix it.
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Thanks, I'm going to return mine and do as SurgTec does, just bring it in every time. I usually keep it in the drink holder by the deep therapy seat..it's a great convenience since my favorite spot is opposite the control panel.
So Markee, is the Dolphin remote also covered for 3 years?
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Looking at the warranty, it appears that the floating remote is covered for 1 year. The dolphin remote would be considered a component of the Soundsations audio warranty which is 1 year as well. Good news is, I have never seen a dolphin remote come in under warranty. You can always control your jets and lights from that remote. Both remotes are made by Balboa.
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I'm on my second floating remote, too. The first one died about 6 months ago and I changed the batteries. It worked for a little while and then died again. I called my dealer and he replaced it, no questions asked. I never saw any moisture in there so I'm not sure why there was a problem.
Phil
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mmmmmm looks like a trend is developing..Markee do you know if the design or anything has changed recently in the remotes, or can we just expect that they will have a life of under one year? I think replacements are expensive when they are no longer in warranty :(
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I've had problems with my remote too. It works intermittently. I tried replacing the battery, but that didn't work. I called and asked my dealer about it and he said to clean the "eye", which I have done but it still doesn't work right. He said to bring it in with me the the next time I come in.
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Ruby, how old is your remote? I think your tub is newer than mine.
I wonder if Cappycat or Cola have any problems...Chime in here guys..I think we may have a run on bad remotes :(
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At the time I had my dealer replace mine, I remember him saying how he had already replaced a few of them. And that was 6 months ago.
Phil
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The remote needs to be pointed at the black IR dot in the spa and held at a slight angle to work properly. If you have the soundsations dolphin remote I would just stick with that for controlling jets/lighting/sound. Like I said I haven't seen any of these come in under warranty. Maybe Balboa is coming out with a new design on the spa remote, several manufacturers use the same remote. Be sure not to leave it floating in the spa after you're done using it.
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Markee, I NEVER let mine float in the tub at all. It is always by that back seat, the deep therapy seat. And to be honest, although I know the humidity is really high, I use the spa blanket and so my spa cover and the jet controls (and that little remote holder) stay relatively dry. I know it has to be be pointed perfectly because if you don't get it just right it will turn the pumps on and off right away. Mine is dead...I tried it right in front of the sensor.
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Well get a replacement from your dealer and hopefully you don't have any trouble with it in the future. You do have sound and a dolphin remote right?
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The key to these and similar remotes (jacuzzi went through them like butter) is they are water resistant not water proof. When not using them keep them out of the water and they will last a long, long time.
If you drop it in the water no big deal, just do not leave it floating in the spa.
You keep anything in water long enough and it will get wet!
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I went and got a replacement remote and I will keep it dry, and bring it in each time I use it. So how do they keep the control panels working? Will they eventually start to leak and stop working too?
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Don't have a remote but for all of you who do - buy lithium AA or AAA (I think they make them this size) - they'll last forever compared to alkaline batteries. The less you need to open a "waterproof" battery compartment, the better.
Just my little tech tip for today.
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Boni: It is very rare to see a topside control panel go out. Usually when it does it is because of something that happened on the PC board that it plugs in to (in the equipment compartment). That is covered under a 5 year warranty.
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Ruby, how old is your remote? I think your tub is newer than mine.
:(
My tub was delivered 9/05 (I forgot to wish it a happy birthday)
Markee, I NEVER let mine float in the tub at all. It is always by that back seat, the deep therapy seat. I know it has to be be pointed perfectly because if you don't get it just right it will turn the pumps on and off right away. Mine is dead...I tried it right in front of the sensor.
Ditto. When mine isn't working, I put it right up to the sensor and it still doesn't work, and it's never in the water, even when we're in it.
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Hi guys, Hi Boni
I had a problem with mine too
The gel gets inbetween the batery and contact and it loses contact.
Get the replacement and keep it from the kids
Steve
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Good Morning Cola, did you get my pm that I sent the other day?
Chad
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I've been through 2 of these remotes since March of '05.
Having looked at the possible reasons for both of these remotes (the 2 button type) to stop working, I think its the white connector inside which connects the batteries (power) with the circuit board. If you wiggle this connector while you have it apart, and while also pushing the buttons, you find it will sometimes work. Poor engineering or faulty connectors is my quess. Anyway, my dealer gave me a 4 button as a replacement this last time,(about 3 months ago)and so far its working great, but now I bring it in every time I use the tub because I really think the heat and humidity were having a draining effect on the batteries. Hopefully , Marquis will change the design or the connector soon.
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I brought my remote in to the dealer the other day, they replaced it-no questions asked. After reading this thread and hearing that it only has a 1 year warrenty, I was a little nervous that they wouldn't replace it. (9/05) No problem. I will be bringing it in the house from now on.