BALBOA VL801D Hot Tub Topside Control Installation Guide
- June 13, 2024
- BALBOA
Table of Contents
SpaDepot.com
Balboa 500DZ-Series Operation Guide
VL801D Hot Tub Topside Control
Initial Start-up
Your spa will enter Priming Mode ( ) when it is energized.
During Priming Mode, press “Jets” button(s) repeatedly and be sure all pumps
are free of air. Priming Mode lasts less than 5 minutes. Press “Warm” or
“Cool” to exit. After Priming Mode, the spa will run in Standard Mode (see
Mode/Prog section).
The pump responsible for heating and filtration (pump 1 low-speed on non-circ
system, or the circ pump on circ systems) will be referred to simply as the
pump.
In multi-button sequences, if the buttons are pressed too quickly in the
sequence, they may not register. 
Temp Control (80°F –
104°F / 26.0°C – 40.0°C)
The last measured water temperature is constantly displayed.
The water temperature displayed is current only when the pump has been running
for at least 2 minutes.
To display the set temperature, press “Warm” or “Cool” once. To change the set
temp, press a temp button again before the display stops flashing. After three
seconds, the display will stop flashing and begin to display the current spa
temperature.
Jets 1
Press “Jets 1” to turn pump 1 on or off, and to shift between low and high
speeds (if equipped). The low-speed will turn off after 4 hours. High-speed
will turn off after 15 minutes. Low-speed may run automatically at times,
during which it cannot be deactivated from the panel, but high-speed may be
operated.
Jets 2/Jets 3/Blower (If equipped)
Press the corresponding button once to turn the device on or off. The device
will turn off after 15 minutes. Pump 2 may be two-speed on some systems.
If the panel has a button with 2 devices assigned to it, like Pump 2 and Pump
3, press the button repeatedly to step through the various combinations of On
and Off for both devices.
Light
Press “Light” to operate the spa light. Turns off after 4 hours.
Setting the Time of Day
When the spa is first powered up, the words SET TIME will flash on the display.
Press “Time,” then “Mode/Prog,” then “Warm” or “Cool.” The time will begin
changing in one-minute increments. Press “Warm” or “Cool” to stop the time
from changing. Press
“Time” to confirm. This document covers VS and GS systems 500DZ through 520DZ
with Balboa Panels VL801D or VL802D.
http://www.balboawatergroup.com/
Mode/Prog
Mode is changed by pressing “Warm” or “Cool,” then pressing “Mode/Prog”
button.
Standard Mode maintains set temperature and the STANDARD icon will be
displayed.
Economy Mode heats the spa to the set temperature only during filter cycles.
will display when water temp is not current, and will alternate with water
temp when the pump is running. The ECONOMY icon will be displayed.
Sleep Mode heats the spa to within 20°F/10°C of the set temperature only
during filter cycles.
will display when water temp is not current, and will alternate with current
water temp when the pump is running.
Preset Filter Cycles
The first preset filter cycle starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 10:00 AM. The second
preset filter cycle starts at 8:00 PM and ends at 10:00 PM.
For non-circ systems, low-speed pump 1 and the ozone generator (if installed)
run during filtration.
For 24 hour circulation systems, the circ pump and the ozone generator (if
installed) run 24 hours. In hot environments, the circ pump may turn off for
30 minute periods, except during filter cycles.
For non-24 hour circulation systems, the circ pump and ozone generator (if
installed) run during filtration (and may also run automatically at other
times).
At the beginning of each filter cycle all other equipment will run briefly to
purge the plumbing.
Optional Filter Cycle Programming
You are not required to change the filter cycles, but if you wish to, press
“Time,” “Mode/Prog,” “Mode/Prog” within 3 seconds. SET START FILTER 1 (AM)
will appear. Press “Warm” or “Cool” to reset the filter start time.
Press “Mode/Prog” to see SET STOP FILTER 1 and adjust the time with “Warm” or
“Cool” as done above. Press “Mode/Prog” to see SET START FILTER 2 (PM) and
proceed as above. Press “Mode/Prog” to see SET STOP FILTER 2 and proceed as
above. Press “Mode/Prog” to confirm.
Automatic polling (in Standard Mode only)
The pump will activate for 1 to 2 minutes to check the temperature:
– every 30 minutes
– whenever any other pump or blower is turned on
– whenever the set temperature is raised
Locking the Panel
Press “Time,” “Blower,” and “Warm” within 3 seconds. The Panel is now locked.
To unlock the panel, press the “Time,” “Blower,” and “Cool” within 2 seconds.
Locking the Temperature
Press “Warm,” “Time,” “Blower,” and “Warm” within 3 seconds. The “Warm” and
“Cool” buttons are now disabled.
To unlock the temperature, press “Time,” “Blower,” and “Cool” within 2
seconds.
Note: On some systems, “Jets 1,” instead of “Blower,” is used in Lock/
Unlock sequences.
Diagnostic Messages
| Message | Meaning | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| No message on display. | ||
| Power has been cut off to the spa. | The control panel will be disabled until |
power returns. Spa settings will
be preserved until next power up.
| Temperature unknown.| After the pump has been running for 2 minutes, the
current water
temperature will be displayed.
| “Overheat” – The spa has shut down. One of the sensors has detected
118°F/47.8°C at the heater.| DO NOT ENTER THE WATER. Remove the spa cover and
allow water to cool. Once the heater has cooled, reset by pushing any button.
If spa does not reset, shut off the power to the spa and call your dealer or
service organization.
| “Overheat” – The spa has shut down. One of the sensors has detected that
the spa water is 110°F/43.5°C.| DO NOT ENTER THE WATER. Remove the spa cover
and allow water to cool. At 107°F/41.7°C, the spa should automatically reset.
If spa does not reset, shut off the power to the spa and call your dealer or
service organization.
| Spa is shut down. The sensor that is plugged into the Sensor “A” jack is
not working.| If the problem persists, contact your dealer or service
organization.(May appear temporarily in an overheat condition).
| Spa is shut down. The sensor that is plugged into the Sensor “B” jack is
not working.| If the problem persists, contact your dealer or service
organization.
(May appear temporarily in an overheat condition).
| Sensors are out of balance. If alternating with spa temperature, it may just
be a temporary
condition. If flashing by itself, spa is shut down.| If the problem persists,
contact your dealer or service organization.
| A significant difference between temperature sensors has been detected. This
could indicate a flow problem.| If the water level is normal, make sure all
pumps have been primed. If problem persists, contact your dealer or service
organization.
| Persistent low flow problems. (Displays on the fifth occurrence of message
within
24 hours.) Heater is shut down, but other spa functions continue to run
normally.| Follow action required for message. Heating capability of the spa
will
not reset automatically; you may press any button to reset.
| Possible inadequate water, poor flow, or air bubbles in detected in the
heater. Spa is shut
down for 15 minutes.| If water level is normal, make sure all pumps have been
primed. Press any button to reset. This message will reset within 15 minutes.
If problem persists, contact your dealer or service organization.
| Inadequate water detected in heater. (Displays on third occurrence of
message.) Spa is
shut down.| Follow action required for message. Spa will not automatically
reset. Press any button to reset manually.
| “Ice” – Potential freeze condition detected.
- – Even when spa is shut down, some equipment will turn on if freeze protection is needed.| No action required. All equipment will automatically activate regardless of spa status. The equipment stays on 4 minutes after the sensors detect that the spa temperature has risen to 45°F/7.2°C or higher. An
optional freeze sensor may be added to protect against extraordinary freeze conditions. Auxiliary freeze sensor protection is advisable is colder climates. See your dealer for details.
Warning! Shock Hazard! No User Serviceable Parts.
Do not attempt service of this control system. Contact your dealer or service
organization for assistance.
Follow all owner’s manual power connection instructions. Installation must be
performed by a licensed electrician and all grounding connections must be
properly installed.