12
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 door and pump door (remove drain valve collar from pump door first)
and check to ensure that the unions on either side of the pump are hand-tight.
1. Close all drains and fill the spa with water by removing the filter lid, skimmer basket, weir and filter (see Filter Lid Removal instructions). Then insert the end of a
garden hose into the filter canister and begin filling the spa. The water level of your Caldera spa should be approximately one inch above the highest jet in the spa
excluding the four above-water-line neck jets in the EcstaSeat
TM
(Geneva
TM
, Niagara
®
and Elation
®
only). Reinstall the skimmer basket, weir, filter and filter lid 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 breakers. Close and secure the subpanel door.
3. The jet pumps, heating system and all internal plumbing will achieve a partial prime as the spa is filled. Five minutes after power is applied to the spa, the air blower
will activate for one minute (Utopia series only), followed by Jet Pump 2 on high speed for one minute, followed by Jet Pump 1 for eight minutes (nine minutes for
Aquatic Melodies series). 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.
4. Adjust Total Alkalinity (TA) to 125 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) to 150 ppm, then spa water pH to between 7.4 and 7.6. These procedures are listed in the “Water
Quality and Maintenance” section.
IMPORTANT:
Add spa water chemicals directly into or in front of the filter compartment (do not remove filter lid) while the jet pump is on and run for at least ten
minutes (depress “CLEAN” button on the control 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. When adding chlorine, the jet pump should be
running, and remain on to circulate the spa water for a ten-minute period (use clean cycle). Make sure all the diverter valves are set to the middle position.
6. Set the temperature control to the desired temperature (between 100°F and 104°F), then place the vinyl 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 “CLEAN” button on the main control panel, this will run jet pump one for ten minutes to circulate the spa water. Make sure all the diverter valves are set to the
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, 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 7.4 and 7.6.
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 102°F, and will normally do so within 18 to 24 hours. You may raise the water temperature by pressing the
“
TEMP
(
▲
)” button on the control panel once to display the temperature, then pressing it again within five seconds to raise the temperature, or lower it by pressing
“
TEMP
(
▼
)” button once to display the temperature, then pressing it again within five seconds to lower the temperature. After a few hours, the water temperature
will remain within 1-1/2 degrees of your selected temperature.
OPERATION NOTE:
For proper water circulation during the automatic clean cycle the following steps should be performed.
• Place the diverters in the middle (split flow) position.
• Place air control levers in OFF position by rotating clockwise.
START-UP AND REFILL PROCEDURES
