Strange Jetsetter Heating Issue

[Webini]

I may have discovered the solution to the energy crisis - my HS Jetsetter.  Allow me to explain.

My Jetsetter is 2 years old.  Never a heating issue.  We live in Maine and I usually keep the tub at 104 in the winter, 100 in the summer.  The tub is in the backyard and gets sun most of the day.

The other day I decided to turn it down to 100 for the summer.  I noticed that there were not many bubbles coming up from the tub.  This happened once or twice before and a power cycle cured the issue.  I unplugged the tub, waited 30 seconds and plugged it back in.  Problem solved.

I don't know if the above is related to my heating issue, but I thought I'd mention it.  Anyway, I keep a digital temp probe in the tub so I can monitor temp from the house (handy in the winter).  Usually it never varies from setpoint more than +- 1/2 degree.

Last night the tub was 108!  Glad I did not jump in.  I used another digital thermometer to double check and got the same reading.  It has been in the upper 80s the past several days so I thought that might be the issue.  Although it was never an issue last summer.

I added some dichlor, dropped the temp setting to 98 and ran the jets with the cover off for 30 minutes.  Temp dropped about 1/2 degree.  I left it as is to see what would happen.

I just got home and the tub is 106, with a low of 105.8 today.  It is 70 out with heavy clouds today.

What the *($&*$% is going on?  I'm going to unplug it for a couple hours and turn it back on to see what happens.  Naturally my whole family is going on vacation tomorrow until Thurs so there will be no one home for a service call.

Any ideas?  Is it safe to leave it at 106 while I am gone?

[The_real_Clown_Shoes]

It is safe to leave it at 106 while you are gone, just make sure you give it a good shock before you leave on vacation.  The older Hot Spring tubs have the capability of heating up to 108, and there is a variance the thermostat allows.  I believe it is currently about 2 degrees, but it may have been different the year you got the tub.

[Webini]

I was planning on the shock anyway, but this is a 2006 tub and right now the variance is 8 degrees and I can't get it to cool down!

[Merlin]

I would open up the cover and set the temp down and just let it vent. the spa is very well insulated and wont cool down with a cover on. you might also want to put the spa in summer mode.  

[Webini]

I am doing that now, but what I really want is to get to the root cause of the issue.  Any thoughts?

[Webini]

The power cycle seems to have fixed the issue. I noticed when I went to unplug the tub that the green "ready" light was not on. So I guess this means something in the controls got confused and thought the tub was not at set temp so the heater ran all the time. When I plugged it back in the "ready" light was on and the tub is at 104 this morning and dropping down to 100 where I now have it set.

My electric bill should be interesting this month.

[soak-king]

Not sure if this helps at all but the green "ready" light only comes on when the water temp is within 2 degrees of the set temp.

[Merlin]

The power cycle seems to have fixed the issue. I noticed when I went to unplug the tub that the green "ready" light was not on. So I guess this means something in the controls got confused and thought the tub was not at set temp so the heater ran all the time. When I plugged it back in the "ready" light was on and the tub is at 104 this morning and dropping down to 100 where I now have it set.

My electric bill should be interesting this month.

Well since it is 2 years old if you continue to have a problem call our dealer, your Jetsetter has a 5 year full parts and labor warranty.

[Vinny]

I just got back from vacation and went to Maine ... beautiful state.

Have you had brownouts or lights flickering? Modern electronics can be affected by electrical fluctuations. I agree with Merlin, call the dealer if it continues.