Balboa Spa Control System Operation Manual

Spa Control System Models

The following models are covered in this manual:

• VS/GS501Z
• VS/GS510SZ
• VS/GS523DZ
• GL8000
• Other: _________________

Electrical Installation Requirements

WARNING: Ensure a qualified and licensed electrician performs all electrical installations in accordance with national and local electrical codes. Improper connections can damage equipment, cause injury, or void the warranty. Do not turn on power until instructed.

IMPORTANT: The spa must be wired with a Residual Current Device (RCD) breaker and supplied by a dedicated RCD-protected circuit with no other appliances. Failure to comply will result in equipment damage not covered by warranty.

Circuit Breaker Selection and Wiring Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

1. The spa must be hard-wired to the power supply; no plug-in connections, extension cords, or shared service are permitted.
2. Use 6mm2 solid copper wire. Do not use aluminum wire. Refer to the table for appropriate wire size based on the RCD.
3. The power supply must include a suitable RCD, which can serve as a visible shut-off switch. This switch must be accessible but located at least 5 feet (1.5m) from the spa.
4. Use only non-metallic conduit and fittings for power installation.
5. Route lines through the designated knockout on the spa's front corner after positioning.
6. Connect electrical power to the spa following the steps outlined: remove the side cabinet panel, locate and open the electrical control box, run conduit and wires, connect wires to terminals per the diagram on the control box cover, ensure wires are tight, connect the grounding lug to a local grounding point, and close the control box.

Electrical Service Configuration Options

The spa can be configured for various electrical services:

• Single Service (1 x 16 Amp or 1 x 32 Amp): Uses 3 wires (Line + Neutral + Protective Earth). All equipment runs on the service line L1.
• Dual Service (2 x 16 Amp): Uses 5 wires (2 Lines + 2 Neutrals + 1 Protective Earth). The heater runs on L1, and other equipment runs on L2. Specific wire removals and DIP switch settings may apply.
• 3-Phase Service (3 x 16 Amp or 3 x 32 Amp): Uses 5 wires (3 Lines + 1 Neutral + 1 Protective Earth). The heater runs on L1, main board equipment on L3, and additional equipment on L2. Specific wire removals and DIP switch settings may apply.

Note: Original wiring diagrams are attached to the back of the control box cover. Refer to specific model notes for DIP switch settings.

Operating Instructions

Panel Layout

Various panel layouts exist for different series (VL Panel for VS/GS5xxZ, VS/GS5xxSZ, VS/GS5xxDZ Series; ML Panel for GL Series). Button shapes and labels may vary.

Initial Start-up

Upon initial activation, the spa enters Priming mode for less than 5 minutes, then begins heating. Priming mode can be exited early by pressing the 'Temp', 'Warm', or 'Cool' button.

Temperature Setting

The default start-up temperature is 100.4°F (38°C). The adjustable range is 80°F - 104°F (26°C - 40°C). The LCD displays the last measured water temperature, which is accurate after the pump has run for at least 2 minutes.

Operating Modes

• Standard Mode: Maintains the set temperature. Indicated by 'St', 'Std', or 'STANDARD'.
• Economy Mode: Heats to the set temperature only during filter cycles. Indicated by 'Ec', 'Ecn', or 'ECONOMY'.
• Standard-In-Economy Mode (GL8000 only): Pressing 'Jets 1' in Economy mode switches to Standard mode for 1 hour before reverting to Economy. Both 'STANDARD' and 'ECONOMY' icons display.
• Sleep Mode: Heats to within 20°F (10°C) of the set temperature only during filter cycles. Indicated by 'SL' or 'SLP'.
• Standby Mode (GL8000 only): Pressing 'Warm' or 'Cool' then 'Jets 2' temporarily turns off spa functions. Resets automatically after 1 hour or upon any button press.

Preset Filter Cycles

• VS/GS5xxZ and VS/GS5xxSZ Series: First cycle starts 6 minutes after power-up, second 12 hours later. Duration is programmable (2, 4, 6, 8 hours, or continuous 'FC'/'F1LC'). Default is 4 hours. Circulation systems run the circ pump and ozone generator 24 hours (with potential 30-minute breaks in hot environments).
• VS/GS5xxDZ or GL8000 Series: First cycle from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, second from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
• Non-Circulation Systems: Low-speed pump 1 and ozone generator run during filtration.
• 24-Hour Circulation Systems: Circ pump and ozone generator run continuously, with potential breaks.
• Non-24-Hour Circulation Systems: Circ pump and ozone generator run during filtration and may run at other times.

At the start of each filter cycle, other equipment briefly runs to purge plumbing.

Button Functions

• Temp Setting: Press 'Temp' (or 'Warm'/'Cool') once to display set temperature. Press again within 3 seconds to adjust.
• Mode Setting: Press 'Temp'/'Cool'/'Light' or 'Warm'/'Cool'/'Mode' depending on the panel.
• Filter Cycles Setting: Navigate through 'Temp'/'Jets' or 'Warm'/'Cool'/'Jets1'/'Mode/Prog' buttons to set start and stop times for filter cycles.
• Jets/Jets1/Jets2/Jets3/Jets4: Turns pump on/off, shifts between speeds. Pumps automatically turn off after 15 minutes if left running.
• Blower: Turns blower on/off. Automatically turns off after 15 minutes if left running.
• Aux: Turns auxiliary equipment (blower/pump) on/off. Automatically turns off after 15 minutes if left running.
• Light: Turns the spa light on/off. Press repeatedly to cycle through colors. Automatically turns off after 4 hours if left on.
• Time: Set the current time by pressing 'Time' then 'Mode/Prog', using 'Warm'/'Cool' to adjust.
• Option: Turns optional equipment on/off.
• Fiber: Controls fiber-optic light and wheel if installed.
• Invert: Inverts the display. Press again to return to normal.
• Freeze Protection (GL8000 only): Pump(s) and blower activate automatically if temperatures drop low enough to prevent freezing.
• Locking the Panel (GL8000 only): Press 'Time', 'Jets 1', then 'Warm' to lock. 'PL' light illuminates. Only 'Time' button remains active. Unlock by pressing 'Time', 'Jets 1', then 'Cool'.
• Locking the Set Temperature (GL8000 only): Press 'Warm'/'Cool', then 'Time', 'Jets 1', and 'Warm' to lock. 'TL' light illuminates.
• Clean-up Cycle (Optional, GL8000 only): After a pump or blower is turned off, a clean-up cycle starts 30 minutes later, running the pump and ozone generator for 1-4 hours.

Troubleshooting

Contact your spa dealer for assistance. The following table provides common error messages and solutions: