Your Caldera
™
Spa has been thoroughly tested during the manufacturing process to ensure reliability and long-term customer satisfaction. A small amount of water may
have remained in the plumbing after testing and, as a result, may have spotted the spa shell or the spa siding prior to delivery. Before filling the spa, clear all debris from
the spa and wipe the spa shell clean with a soft rag.
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE READ AND FOLLOWED EXACTLY TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL START-UP OR REFILL.
CAUTIONS
• Do not fill the spa with hot water, as tripping of the high-limit thermostat may result.
• Do not connect power to an empty spa. Power to the spa automatically activates critical components within the spa, such as Controls, Heater,
Circulation Pump and other systems. If power is supplied to these components prior to the spa being filled, the components will be damaged, and
this may result in a non-warranty component failure.
• Do not use your spa after filling until all of the steps listed below are completed.
• Do not add chlorine if treating your spa with polyhexamethylene biguanide (Biguanide, PHMB, eg. BaquaSpa
™
) sanitizer.
• Before filling your spa for the first time, remove the equipment compartment doors and check to ensure that the unions on either side of the pump
and heater are hand-tight. Also, install the pump’s drain plug if necessary by screwing the plug into the threaded hole in the face of the pump. (The
drain plug is removed for shipping in the winter months. If your drain plug is not present, a notice will be found attached to the control box, and the
plug will be found in your Owner’s Packet.)
1. Close all drains and fill the spa with water by removing the skimmer basket, weir and filter. Then insert the end of a garden hose into the filter hole and begin filling
the spa. The water level of your Caldera
™
Spa should be maintained at a level one inch above the highest jet in the spa. Reinstall the skimmer basket, weir and filter
once the spa is filled.
IMPORTANT:
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend that the spa be filled with “softened” water, as this may damage the spa’s equipment.
2.
AFTER
the spa has been filled with water and the equipment compartment door is secured, power must be applied to the spa.
• Activate power to the subpanel from the main house panel first.
• Open the door of the electrical subpanel and reset the GFCI breaker. Close and secure the subpanel door.
3. The jet pump(s), heating system and all internal plumbing will achieve a partial prime as the spa is filled. Sixty seconds after power is applied to the spa, the air
blower will activate for 30 seconds, followed by Jet Pump 2 for sixty seconds, followed by Jet Pump 1 for ten minutes. Once the jet system is fully operational (as
indicated by strong, non-surging jets), priming of the spa is complete. If you do not feel a steady stream of water from your jets, refer to the instructions for priming
the pump in the SPA TROUBLESHOOTING section in the back of this manual.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure that the air control valves are open by turning each one counterclockwise and checking to see that all the diverters are in position 1 or
position 3 (see illustration on air control and diverter valves).
4. Adjust Total Alkalinity (TA) to 125 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) to 150 ppm, then spa water pH to between 7.2 and 7.4. These procedures are listed in the “Water
Quality and Maintenance” section.
IMPORTANT:
Add spa water chemicals directly into the filter compartment with the jet pump on for at least ten minutes (use cleanup cycle) by depressing
#
followed by the
Jets 1
button on the main panel.
OPERATION NOTE:
Adjusting the Total Alkalinity as the first step is important, as out-of balance TA will affect your ability to adjust the pH correctly and will prevent
the sanitizer from operating effectively.
5. Superchlorinate the spa water by adding 1-1/2 teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons of spa water. The jet pump should be running when adding
the chlorine, and remain on to circulate the spa water for a ten-minute period (use cleanup cycle). Make sure all the diverter valves are set to position 2 (combo or
middle position).
6. Set the temperature control to the desired temperature (between 100°F and 104°F), then place the thermal cover on the spa and allow the water temperature to
stabilize (approximately 24 hours). Make sure you secure the cover in place using the cover locks. Periodically check the spa water temperature. When the water
temperature climbs above 90°F, proceed to the next step.
7. Press
#
followed by the
Jets 1
button on the main control panel and run the pump for 10 minutes to circulate the spa water. Make sure all the diverter valves are set
to position 2 (combo or middle position). Once the jets shut off, test the spa water for Free Available Chlorine (FAC) residual. If the residual is between 3 and 5 ppm
on the test strips (found in the test kit) go on to the next step. If the residual is less than 3 ppm, superchlorinate the spa water by adding 1-1/2 teaspoons of chlorine
(sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons of spa water, while the jet pump is running. Run the jet pump to circulate the spa water for an additional ten-minute period.
8. Recheck the Total Alkalinity (TA) at 125 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) at 150 ppm, then spa water pH at between 7.2 and 7.4.
OPERATION NOTE:
Make sure you adjust your Total Alkalinity first, as an out-of-balance condition will affect your ability to adjust the pH correctly, and will prevent
the sanitizer from operating effectively.
The spa is ready for use when the spa water has circulated and the chlorine level remains between 3 ppm and
5 ppm.
9. The spa temperature is pre-programmed to reach 100°F, and will normally do so within 18 to 24 hours. You may raise the water temperature by pressing the
Warm
button on the control panel once to display the temperature, then pressing it again within 5 seconds to raise the temperature, or lower it by pressing
Cool
button
once to display the temperature, then pressing it again within 5 seconds to lower the temperature. After a few hours, the water temperature will remain within 1-1/2
degrees of your selected temperature.
START-UP AND REFILL PROCEDURES
11
