CalderaSpas Aspire Owner's Manual - Winterizing Your Spa
55
WINTERIZING YOUR SPA
If you wish to leave your spa empty and it is located where freezing temperatures occur, follow steps outlined
in “Draining Your Spa”, then complete the following steps:
IMPORTANT:
The following steps should protect your spa from freezing damage provided these
instructions are followed exactly. For maximum protection against freeze damage to your spa, Watkins
®
Manufacturing Corporation recommends contacting your local Caldera
®
dealer to schedule an in-home
Propylene glycol (anti-freeze) Winterizing Service plan.
NOTE: MAKE CERTAIN ALL POWER TO THE SPA IS OFF BEFORE YOU CONTINUE.
To help remove residual water in the air jet plumbing use one of the following steps:
1. For Geneva
TM
, Niagara
®
, Tahitian, Moorea
®
, and Hawaiian spas only, turn the 30 amp breaker on. Immediately
after, turn the blower on by pushing the air button, then wait for 3 to 10 seconds, or until you notice
that the air is not coming out of the air jets. Push the air button again to turn the blower off.
2. Or locate the 10 air jets and use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water out of each air jet. (See air jet
diagram in Air Jet section)
NOTE
: Stand back to avoid any spray. Turning on the blower will help evacuate residual water in the air jet lines.
TURN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPLETING STEP # 2.
NOTE
: Remove the excess water with a wet/dry vacuum or a sponge.
3. It will be necessary to remove all water from the interior plumbing.
4. Remove the filter lid, floating weir, basket, and filter cartridge. Clean the filter cartridge and store in a dry place. Attach the vacuum hose to the
vacuum side
of the
shop vac and thoroughly dry the filter compartment.
5. Using the shop vac, remove the water starting with the jets at the top and moving to the ones at the bottom of the spa.
NOTE:
When removing the water from jet openings , you may notice suction coming from another jet. With the help of a second person, block off any suction from
the other jet and filter bucket using a large rag or cloth. This will help pull out the water that is trapped deep inside the main line.
6. Thoroughly dry the spa shell with a clean towel.
7. Pour Propylene glycol anti-freeze into the filter suction fitttings, jet outlets, and diverters using a funnel. Add enough anti-freeze until the liquid starts to come out of
the bottom drain.
CAUTION: Use only Propylene glycol as your anti-freeze. This is non-toxic. NEVER use automobile anti-freeze since it is toxic.
9. Close the spa cover and fasten the cover tie downs. If your area recieves a lot of snow or ice, it is recommended to cover the spa cover with two pieces of
plywood forming a pitched roof top to prevent snow and ice build-up. Secure a plastic sheet or tarp over the spa cover and one over the plywood.
WARNING:
When not in use, the spa must be covered with an insulating spa cover. Damage caused by either sun exposure or freezing is not covered under
warranty.
10. Remove pump doors by first removing the drain collar (on Geneva, Tahitian, Niagara, Elation
®
, Aspire
®
, Moorea, Hawaiian, Martinique
®
and Kauai
®
) then the door
screws. Once doors are removed unscrew the pump drain plugs located on the front of the pump housings. Allow all water to drain out. Place the drain plugs in a
ziplock bag and store near the pumps. Replace the drain plugs on start-up. (Refer to the figure on page 24)
11. Unscrew the pump unions and allow the water to drain. Leave unions loose.
NOTE:
Tighten the unions prior to filling the spa.
12. For Geneva, Niagara, Tahitian, Elation, Aspire, Moorea, Hawaiian, Martinique and Kauai, disconnect the circulation pump and use the shop vac to remove water.
NOTE:
Re-attach the hose to the circ pump prior to filling the spa.
13. Replace the pump and equipment compartment doors and secure with screws.
NOTE:
DO NOT LEAVE ANY WATER IN YOUR SPA.
WARNING:
When not in use, the spa must be covered with a vinyl spa cover. Damage caused by either sun exposure or freezing is not covered under warranty.
Opening Instructions:
14. Remove plastic, plywood, and spa cover. Remove pump doors by first removing the drain collar then the door screws. Once doors are open, reinstall drain plug and
hand tighten pump union. Follow the “START-UP AND REFILL PROCEDURES” to refill your spa.
CARE OF THE SPA PILLOWS
The spa pillows will provide years of comfort if treated with care. They have been positioned above the water level to minimize the bleaching effects of chlorinated water
and other spa water chemicals. To extend their life, whenever the spa shell is being cleaned, the spa pillows should be removed and cleaned. Body oils can be removed
with a mild soap and water solution. ALWAYS rinse off the spa pillows thoroughly to remove any soap residue. If the spa is not going to be used for a long period of time
(that is during a vacation or if the spa is winterized), or when the spa water is being super-chlorinated, the spa pillows should be removed until the next use of the spa.
To remove and replace the spa pillows:
1. Carefully lift one end of the pillow away from the spa shell.
2. Continue lifting one end until all pillow retainers are released from the pillow.
IMPORTANT
: Just pulling the pillow straight up and out of the shell recess will eventually damage the pillow. This abuse is not covered under warranty.
3. To reinstall the spa pillow, carefully bend the pillow slightly to allow one of the pillow retainers to slip into the recess in the back of the pillow.
4. Keeping the pillow slightly bent, slide the other pillow retainer into the recess in the back of the pillow.
5. After all the pillow retainers are in place, press the pillow down into the recess in the spa shell.
MAINTENANCE
PUMP DRAIN PLUG LOCATION
DISCHARGE
UNION
SUCTION
UNION
FRONT VEIW OF PUMP
PUMP PLUG