BALBOA VS501Z Spa Control Flow Thru Heater User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- BALBOA
Table of Contents
- Initial Start-up
- Temp Control (80°F – 104°F / 26°C – 40°C)
- Jets 1
- Jets 2/Jets 3/Blower (If equipped)
- Light
- Mode
- Preset Filter Cycles
- Automatic polling (in Standard Mode only)
- Diagnostic Messages
- Warning! Shock Hazard! No User Serviceable Parts
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
BALBOA VS501Z Spa Control Flow Thru Heater
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 “Temp” to exit.
After Priming Mode, the spa will run in Standard Mode (see Mode section). Some
panels may not have a “Temp” button. On these panels the “Set,” “Warm,” or
“Cool” buttons are used.
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 sequence,
they may not register.
Temp Control (80°F – 104°F / 26°C – 40°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.
On panels with a single “Temp” or “Set” button, to display the set
temperature, press the button once. To change the set temperature, press the
button a second time before the display stops flashing. Each press of the
button will continue to either raise or lower the set temperature. If the
opposite direction is desired, allow the display to revert to the current
water temperature. Press the button to display the set temperature, and again
to make the temperature change in the desired direction.
On panels with “Warm” and “Cool” buttons, to display the set
temperature, press “Warm” or “Cool” once. To change the set temperature,
press a temperature button again before the display stops flashing. Each press
of “Warm” or “Cool” will adjust the set temperature. 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.
Some systems use this one button to control two devices. The first button
press will activate one device. Press again to have both devices active. Press
again to turn off the first device only. Press one more time to turn both
devices off.
This document covers VS and GS systems 500Z through 521Z with Balboa Panels VL200 through VL406. https://www.balboawatergroup.com/
Light
Press “Light” to operate the spa light. Turns off after 4 hours.
Mode
Depending on system configuration, mode changing may not be available and will
be locked in Standard Mode.
Mode is changed by pressing “Temp,” then “Light”.
Standard Mode maintains set temperature. will be displayed momentarily when
you switch into Standard Mode.
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. 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 water temp when the pump is running.
Preset Filter Cycles
The first preset filter cycle begins 6 minutes after the spa is energized. The
second preset filter cycle begins 12 hours later.
Filter duration is programmable for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours or for continuous
filtration (indicated by ). The default filter time is 2 hours for non-circ
systems and 4 hours for circ systems.
To program, press “Temp,” then “Jets 1.” Press “Temp” to adjust. Press “Jets
1” to exit programming.
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.
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
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.
P/N 40789_G 09/27/2011
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>