VD for hot tub

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AC\DC

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Hot tub I am wiring is saying over 100' upsize wire to next size
Bottom says not following instruction to a tee will void warranty.
My run is 120 feet. Would you think running 20 feet of #4 and splicing and transitioning to #6 for the last 100' is not following there instructions. Trying to save some some money!!!
 
If the requirement is that 100 foot of standard wire causes maximum allowed voltage drop (that point is debatable but I won't debate it because the instructions are the instructions) then IMHO you would need 100 feet of full size wire (#6) followed by 20 feet of wire with zero voltage drop.

But if you mix conductors to get an effective resistance of 100 feet of #6, then I'd agree you were following the instructions.

1 foot of #6 has the same resistance as 1.6 feet of #4. So for 120 feet total you could use 67 feet of #6 + 53 feet of #4.

But I think the cost of the splice would kill any savings :)

-Jon
 
What could possibly go wrong if you have only 20 extra feet of wire? It may not heat up as quickly but will it cause premature failure of some components?
 
infinity said:
What could possibly go wrong if you have only 20 extra feet of wire? It may not heat up as quickly but will it cause premature failure of some components?
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As I said, I believe the premise is debatable...but some manufacturers use any excuse to get out of a warranty claim.

-Jon
 
ptonsparky said:
Upsize the wire and bill it out.
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Bid it out, it’s just I thought I had some number 4 floating around and I don’t want to buy some since I don’t use it a lot.

I am sorry I thought link I posted went to the site, not my email!! I’ll post the manual
 

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I wonder if you void the warranty if they utility voltage is 120/208 and not 120/240v? That is a noticeable voltage drop. (assuming this is not a 120volt hot tub)
 
AC\DC said:
Conductors must be copper per instructions. Already thought of that.
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From where? I bet instructions don't mention much of anything ahead of branch circuit device, so why not run aluminum feeder to near the unit then copper for the branch circuit?
 
acrwc10 said:
I wonder if you void the warranty if they utility voltage is 120/208 and not 120/240v? That is a noticeable voltage drop. (assuming this is not a 120volt hot tub)
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I think many instances the motors are 120 volt, other controls are 120 volt but heating elements are 240, if so you just have reduced heating capacity but everything else still sees the 120 it was designed for.
 
kwired said:
From where? I bet instructions don't mention much of anything ahead of branch circuit device, so why not run aluminum feeder to near the unit then copper for the branch circuit?
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I see your point but why would these hot tub people ask for a egc same size as phase conductors. I understand if I ran a NMB it would be impossible to enlarge the egc. Put if I pipe it I have no reason why I can’t.
If they have no controls of the branch side then why do they mention upsizing conductor if over 100’.
I don’t think they have any say with what’s on the line side of there equipment, I just don’t want to deal with them down the road if something happens
 
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