Hot Tub goes BOOM

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aelectricalman

aelectricalman

Senior Member
Location
KY
For lack of a better place to put this, I will post it here. I went to install a hot tub today. Open the instructions manual. " Remove logic pin from J1-J2 and place it over J2-J3 to change hot tub from 120 to 240." Ok, this is all the book says to do. I connect my 240 GFCI and breaker in panel to the tub. I turned on all the breakers and BOOM. The logic board melts and the smoke plums so big it looks like we are sending S.O.S signals. I called the manufacture (not the dealer) to discuss this with them. He says go to page 14, you forgot something in your installation. He said I should have remove a certain blue and white wire when converting. I said, "Excuse me, I did not forget anything. I know how to read directions." So to humor him, I go to page 14. The page talked about what to clean my hot tub with. Also the page discussed how to use the Ozonator. He says, "What"? Then he proceed to ask me what color my instruction manual was. I asked him, "What color should it be". He says green. I say well its yellow. He says, Oh chit. He says call the dealer and they will get you a new one since they gave you the wrong manual. Now, Since Im the licensed Electrician, the dealer (not the manufacture) is refusing to service this because they say that I should have verified that the directions were the right directions. Now, this is the catch. The directions were from the old Saratoga model. These directions needed to be for the new saratoga model. Does anyone see me being responsible for this? What is the world coming to? They are standing firm on their decision. Just thought this would be a good topic starter for that 1000 post topic. Maybe not.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Thousand post topic? I am thinking that will come on the heels of a really silly topic like grounding screws, green or not? As for the tub I can't see how this is your error. The fact that you even looked at the directions is commendable. :D I would say that whomever packaged the wrong manual with the tub is ultimately responsible.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Criss,

Did you sell the hot tub to the customer? Are you a hot tub 'Dealer'? Or, hopefully you just did the electrical on it.

In an case,by the possition that they are taking,I would assume they got paid already.

What is the world coming to? Even this Forum would have a tough time with that one!!

Personally I think your getting the blame for something that is "their" mistake. The good news is that it is Friday.

frank
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Unless it was obvious that you had the wrong manual, who ever provided it needs to take the heat for this. If it came in the crate with the tub then the manufacture screwed up. If the dealer hands it to the customer, then the dealer screwed up. Sounds like one of these places needs to replace the tub and pay for a second service call on the install.

On a side note, I carry a digital camera in the truck to document things like this. In a case like this I would have taken pictures of the directions and tub to document someone elses error.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Does this Hot Tub have a diagram inside control box it usually has and has the correct change over 120 volt to 240 volt it is in fine print but it usually is correct. So go back to manufacturer and complain to them and inform them you will have all the other local E.C.s in your area refuse to wire any tub from this distributor Then the manufacturer should get on the distributor and could loose franchise, just don't mention control cover unless no diagram was there.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Manufacture called today and told me not to go through the reatail store. He said that he would have one in the mail and it will be here in 5 days. Nice. Im sure there will be reprecussions on their part.
 
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Wonder what page will tell you how to reinstall the smoke ? :D They goofed so i hope they send a service tech and eat the cost.Some one is probably getting an a$$ chewing over this.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

AE, do not surrender that yellow manual!

Originally posted by stud696981:
In a case like this I would have taken pictures of the directions and tub to document someone elses error.
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He has the yellow manual as all the evidence he needs. Nobody has denied that (yet).

AE, do not surrender that yellow manual!

Originally posted by aelectricalman:
He said that he would have one in the mail and it will be here in 5 days.
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I take this to mean a new manual is coming in the mail, not a new hot tub. Like you said, "That's nice." Now, who is going to pay for the repairs?

AE, do not surrender that yellow manual!

In my opinion, your beef is with the manufacturer, not the dealer (as long as the manual was sealed in the packaging). The dealers' assertion that you "should have verified that the directions were the right directions." is total B.S.

With whom you deal locally to have this straightened out should be the dealer, as the maker's representative, but hold the maker ultimately liable. The fight between the two of them should not include you.

I'll bet that each will point to the other. :roll:

Oh, did I mention: AE, do not surrender that yellow manual!
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Originally posted by LarryFine:
The dealers' assertion that you "should have verified that the directions were the right directions." is total B.S.
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For what it is worth I agree with LarryFine.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Chris, I haven't read anyone elses responses. This is easy. You don't deal with your "x" supplier anymore.

I once asked for a recommendation for a butane soldering iron from a tool distributor. Of course the most expensive one was their recommendation. When it didn't work in a couple weeks they wouldn't honor the warranty and suggested I send it to the manufacturer. That decision came from managememnt

This was about 12 years ago. How many tools do you figure I've bought from them since? How many people do you think I ever so helpfully steered clear of their business since then?

For anyone in my area that establishment is K-119. And I will continue to send people away from them. My family having a business I spent many years in I can't see any way to understand that behaviour. It's wrong and they don't deserve your business.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

I did take picture of the manual, although I can not keep it. It belongs to the homeowner. Secondly, I meant they are sending a new logic board in the mail and of course a new manual. :D
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Will they also send you a check ? Because of there mistake you now are making a second trip and performing repairs on on the tub.This was not part of your contract price.You also have spent some hours on phone over this.I would send them a bill ATTN MANAGER along with a letter.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Originally posted by aelectricalman:
I did take picture of the manual, although I can not keep it. It belongs to the homeowner. Secondly, I meant they are sending a new logic board in the mail and of course a new manual. :D
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In that case, consider this to be a victory (as long as replacing the board is quick and easy). I meant that you should not send the "wrong" manual back, for evidence. Now, you can leave the new manual with the owner.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

There is not a chance in hell that I would replace the board in the unit. I would let the manufacturer have their authorized service people do it. Just asking for more trouble.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

By Scott:

There is not a chance in hell that I would replace the board in the unit. I would let the manufacturer have their authorized service people do it. Just asking for more trouble.
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You mean the guys that sold it to him? :D

Edit: Fisrt post on the page. Needed Scott's quote.

[ May 29, 2005, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

yeah, I know it says pool boy, but I was the head service tech for a pool and spa dealer. We were always instructed to inquire about the operating voltage on convertible tubs and make the necessary changes for the electrician so that they were not liable.
In cases such as this I think the folks I worked for would have beat me with a switch and I would have had to go out w/o pay to replace the parts. I was not to do the electrician's job and he was not to have to perform mine.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

Sounds like the rep has a problem,not you.The salesman should have checked the directions.If the rep doesnt resolve this call the manufacturer again.Like someone else suggested let a factory rep rapair it but you may end-up losing the customer.
 
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Just for clarification, I am not going to replace the logic board. No way. I actually dont know who is going to replace it, considering the dealers stance on the matter. However I have told the homeowner that there will be extra charges for coming back to reconnect this hot tub. She understands and she is a very nice lady. The distributor actually spoke with her and told her not to be mad at me for I did nothing wrong. I would only assume that they are planning to take care of the extra bill. I am only charging $55 dollars to come back and reconnect the wires to the panel board. The rest has already been done. I agree that the hot tub should be already set up for the electrician from the dealer. I should just be able to wire it up and go, maybe just moving around so logic pins at most, with the dealer doing the rest. O well.
 
Re: Hot Tub goes BOOM

That's a very smart move on your part.No need to get into any more problems over this.This way if it goes BOOM again it's there problem.
 
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