BALBOA VL801D Hot Tub Topside Control Installation Guide

: June 13, 2024
: BALBOA

Table of Contents

VL801D Hot Tub Topside Control
Optional Filter Cycle Programming
Automatic polling (in Standard Mode only)
Locking the Panel
Diagnostic Messages
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

BALBOA VL801D Hot Tub Topside Control 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. BALBOA VL801D Hot Tub Topside Control -
Initial Start-up 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.