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“Almost” Everything You Need to Know ...
To Get It Running ... and Keep It Running.
START UP
❖ Turn the thermostat dial counterclockwise to its lowest
setting. (For complete details see Control Panel diagrams
in your Owner’s Manual).
❖ Flip the On/Off toggle switch to the On position (if your
heat pump is so equipped).
❖ The pool or spa filter pump must be operating for five
minutes.
❖ The Power light (Amber) and Flow light (Green) should be
lit.
How to Operate the Controls–Pool or Spa Operation
❖ Turn selected pool or spa thermostat dial clockwise to its
highest setting.
❖ The heat pump will start and begin to heat your pool or
spa.
NOTE: The heat pump has a time delay so if it shuts down
for any reason, it will not restart for approximately five
minutes.
❖ Allow your pool or spa filter pump to run continuously
until the temperature you want your pool or spa is met.
(This may take several days.) This may require removal or
resetting the trippers on the time clock to allow it to run
continuously.
❖ To set the thermostat, allow the heat pump to warm the
water until it reaches the temperature you desire. Then turn
the thermostat knob slowly counterclockwise until the unit
shuts off. The heater will maintain your pool or spa at this
temperature automatically.
Time Clock Run Times
❖ Once your heat pump has brought your pool up to
temperature, it will be necessary to reset your time clock.
Be sure to allow enough running time for your pool to
allow the heat pump to replace the heat loss. This time will
vary depending upon the time of year. Colder months
require longer running times, usually eight to twelve
hours.
How to Operate the Controls–Manual Switching from
Pool to Spa Heating
❖ Open spa valves and close pool valves as instructed by
your installer.
❖ With the spa filter pump running for at least five minutes,
flip the Pool/Spa toggle switch from the Pool setting to
the Spa Setting.
❖ Turn the Spa thermostat clockwise until it stops (104˚ F).
❖ The typical spa may take up to several hours to initially
heat up depending on the volume of water, water
temperature, and the climatic conditions at the time of
start up.
❖ When the spa reaches the desired temperature (104˚ F) is
maximum), slowly rotate the thermostat knob
counterclockwise until the heat pump stops. Your spa
thermostat is now set to automatically maintain this
temperature any time your spa thermostat has been
selected and the filter pump is in spa mode.
❖ When finished using your spa, position the toggle switch
to the pool setting and reverse the valves to their original
position.
Water Running out the Bottom of Your Heat Pump
❖ This is normal. Depending upon humidity, condensate
water is produced as a by-product of transferring heat from
the air to your pool. Quantities of up to six to eight gallons
per hour are not uncommon if the humidity is high. Low
humidity may result in no condensate run off.
NORMAL USAGE
❖ If you have followed the directions so far, your heat pump
should be set to heat your pool or spa automatically.
❖ Water chemistry . . . VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!! Your
heat pump has been engineered for durability and
reliability; however, prolonged exposure to unbalanced
water chemistry will result in premature failure and
service.
❖ Keep chlorine in the 1 to 3 PPM range; pH needs to be kept
between 7.2 and 7.8; Alkalinity, 60 to 180 but this will
vary depending on the pool surface type, so check with
your dealer. If bromine is being used, 2.0 to 4.0 PPM. See
Owner’s Manual for more detailed information.
MAINTENANCE
❖ Planned maintenance. You should have your heat pump
cleaned on an annual basis by a qualified pool heat pump
specialist. If your heat pump is located on the beach or a
sea wall area where salt spray contamination or sand gets
in or on the unit, a more frequent cleaning is necessary.
Call Aqua Cal for details at 1-800-786-7751.
❖ Provide good airflow to the heat pump. Keep the sides and
top of the heat pump free of obstructions.
❖ Control sprinklers. If they spray on or into the unit, divert
the spray or move them so they don’t reach the heat pump.
❖ Drainage. As stated before, your heat pump produces a lot
of condensate at various times. Keep the drain holes at the
base of the heat pump free of grass and weeds.
❖ If leaves begin to pile up on the inside of the your heat pump,
call Aqua Cal (1-800-786-7751) and ask for a Planned
Maintenance service call.
❖ Another VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!! In areas where
hard freezing conditions occur, winterize your heat pump.
See your Owner’s Manual for additional details.
❖ In areas where light freezing conditions occur lasting only
a couple of hours, keep the pump supplying the water to
the heat pump running. Flowing water will not freeze
under light freezing conditions. You will notice the blue
Defrost light on. This is normal.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Heat Pump Running but Not Heating
❖ Is the air blowing out of the top of the unit noticeably
cooler (8˚-12˚ is typical) than the surrounding air? If
not, call Aqua Cal for service at 1-800-786-7751.
❖ How long are you running your pool or spa recirculation
pump? Cooler climatic conditions or heating to a higher
temperature may necessitate running the heat pump for a
longer time. A pool blanket may be necessary to allow for
shorter running times, not to mention a huge savings on
your heating energy costs.
❖ 75% of temperature loss from your pool is from
evaporation. A pool blanket is your best investment in your
heated pool.
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