Disabling ozonator in a bromine spa.

[Forest_Spa]

I would like to disable the ozonator in my new spa, since I am using bromine and trying to minimize formation of bromates. I have constant circulation pump, but the ozonator runs a variable length of time (minimum 15 minutes) as part of the the brief main jet plumbing purge every 12 hours. I assume I can just unplug it, but I am worried it will throw an error code if it senses no ozonator load present.

Anyone have experience with this? Will it notice that I unplugged it?

 

[ajw22]

Tell @RDspaguy what model spa you have with what controls?

 

[Forest_Spa]

Tell @RDspaguy what model spa you have with what controls?

@RDspaguy It is a Saratoga Spa Regent model. The controller electrical box has Waterway Neo 1500 written on it.

 

[JamesW]

I doubt that it will notice.

Most controllers do not measure current (amps) or power (watts) except for a few items like a SWG.

In any case, unplug it and see if it causes an error code.

 

[JamesW]

The error codes do not include any errors related to any equipment not working.

Most systems do not know if a piece of equipment is working or not.

Also, the controller will have a phone number that you can call and ask about the system.

https://www.saratogaspas.com/info/saratoga/docs/neo1500.pdf

Contact - Waterway Plastics

Pool & Spa Products

waterwayplastics.com

Waterway Plastics. 2200 East Sturgis Road. Oxnard, California 93030.
Phone: 805-981-0262.
Toll Free Fax: 888-SPA-JETS (888-772-5387)
[email protected]

 

[JamesW]

It looks like J9 is the Ozone plug.

It looks like you can probably disable the ozone in the configuration menu.

 

[bradgray]

JamesW has given good advice.
Open your spa pack and read the schematic on the inside of the casing.
Unplug the Ozone.
Done.

We do this all the time on all brands, because the Ozone tends to be the first item to fail and trip breakers, right in the middle of a holiday weekend of a $5,000 guest stay.

If you want to disable power to that unused terminal, it's either through digital settings or dipswitches. I'm not very familiar with Waterway packs, but hopefully this echoed advice helps move you in the right direction.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

It would appear from the diagram that the recirc pump and ozone lamp are powered from the same connector (J9) which is pretty standard. So you won’t be able to disable it at the board. My guess is that you’ll need to disable the ozonator itself (hopefully there’s an easily removed power connector there). The other option would be to find the suction tube that runs from the ozonator to the Venturi injector (suction) and clamp that off somehow. Don’t cut the tube because that could cause a water leak.

 

[Forest_Spa]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll open the panel when the current rain/sleet/snow lets up.
@JamesW I don't have the service mode code to get into the configuration menu, so this will be a "hardware" delete. I'll report back. @JoyfulNoise The circulation pump runs 24/7 and the ozonator does not, so they must be powered independently.

 

[Forest_Spa]

The controller board inside of the box was actually a custom software Neo 2100, not a 1500, so the manual I received with the spa is outdated/wrong. Hmmmm. I unplugged the ozonizer plug from the AUX plug (while powered down). The tub doesn't seem to notice when powered back on. I'll report back if any error codes pop up.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The tub doesn't seem to notice when powered back on….

This is pretty common across all hot tubs. The ozonator is just a “dumb” component - it gets powered when the tub is in standby circulation mode and turns on and off as dictated by the controller but, otherwise, gives no signal output nor receives any control input (other than duty cycle). When the UV bulb or corona discharge source that creates the ozone burns out or exceeds its useful output lifetime, the controller has no way of knowing. People with ozonators on their tubs often will never know the unit is not functioning and can’t see any difference when it’s on versus when it’s off.

 

[bradgray]

People with ozonators on their tubes often will never know the unit is not functioning and can’t see any difference when it’s on versus when it’s off.

Hard truth for many.