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Tub Troubles

Sundance® Spas Error Codes and Information

Sundance® Spas Troubleshooting Guide

Sundance® Spas has been manufacturing hot tubs since 1979. They are based out of California, and their products are sold in more than 60 countries. Sundance® Spas focuses on creating acrylic spas, and they are rated as the top worldwide distributor and manufacturer of this particular style. They also produce in-ground and portable hot tub models.

This award-winning company has developed their products with the benefits of hydrotherapy in mind. They also offer a complete outdoor room approach that includes wall décor, floor coverings, accessories, furnishings and lighting. Sundance® Spas has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and they produce energy efficient hot tubs.

If you are needing a replacement hot tub cover for your Sundance® Spa The Cover Guy is your answer. With all Sundance® Models on file The Cover Guy can easily provide you with a new hot tub cover without you having to measure. The Cover Guy Sundance® Replacement covers are the best made covers at the best price available. Your new hot tub cover will be delivered promptly right to your door.

Spa Models:

  • Select Series
  • 880 Series
  • 780 Series
  • 680 Series

These are the error codes and display messages that a Sundance® Spa may display, along with what they mean and any actions required:

Select and 780 Series Error Conditions / Error Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Summer Logic “Summer Logic” occurs when the actual water temp for the spa climbs to 2°F (1°C) above set temperatures and is more likely in extremely hot weather. The condition causes the circulation pump to turn off automatically if it’s running in order to avoid adding additional heat to spa water that could cause “Overheat” conditions. This setting is not user-programmable. This condition does not kick in until the water temperature climbs to 95°F (35°C). The spa system’s ability to cool itself down is directly affected by ambient temperatures. Very hot summer ambient temperatures can prevent the spa unit from cooling because its insulated construction is designed to minimize operating costs and hold in heat.
OH One of the sensors detected that the water in the hot tub is 112°F (44°C). Stands for “Overheat”- and the tub shuts down because water temp is too hot. Temperature is not safe. The circ. pump will stop functioning to reduce frictional heating when water temp reaches 2°F (1°C) more than the set temperature. DO NOT GET INTO THE WATER!
Take off the spa cover to allow the water to cool down to fix the situation.
Caution: Do not leave this cover off when children are present. Shut the power down to the hot tub and contact the dealer or service technician if the problem continues.
Sn1 Stands for “Sensor 1” and displays when the high-limit sensor is malfunctioning. Indicates a shorted sensor and spa is shut down or an open sensor and heater is disabled. Contact dealer or a service technician.
Sn2 Stands for “Sensor 2” and displays when the temperature sensor is malfunctioning. Indicates a shorted sensor and the heater is disabled. Contact dealer or a service technician.
FL1 or FL2 (Flashing) When FL1 code starts flashing it means the flow switch is malfunctioning and stuck open-likely because of a dirty filter or because there is an air lock problem at the circulation pump intake.When FL2 code starts flashing it means the flow switch isn’t working and it is stuck closed. In both cases, the spa heater will deactivate.· In both cases, the spa heater will deactivate and main pump # 1 may do the same.· The issue is caused by an excessively dirty filter cartridge that interrupts the flow of water leading to “air lock” conditions at the pump and malfunction of the flow switch.
  1. Check to see if the water level is below the lowest pillow but above the jets. Add water if needed.
  2. Check for dirty or clogged filter cartridge.
  3. a) Remove filter cartridge in order to purge the air lock from the circulation pump intake.
    b) Hold a garden hose over filter cartridge wall fitting and utilize a rag to make a seal around hose end.
    c) Get an assistant to help turn the water on for 30 seconds. Then turn it then turn it off.
    d) Replace the filter cartridge and verify the solution worked.
  4. If circulation pump is not powering on, try cutting off power at the main breaker. Turning it on will reset cycle for the circulation pump. After the pump primes itself, the error message should go away.
  5. 5. Contact dealer or a service technician if problem continues.
COL Occurs only in Economy mode and Indicates a cool condition where temps have dropped 20°F (11°C) below current settings for them. System activates the heater and jets pump 1 to bring temp within 15°F (8°C) of set temps. No action required, but during cold weather you may want to increase the amount of filtration cycles.
ICE This only occurs when spa is in Economy mode and stands for “Ice;” means the system has detected a potential condition for freezing and will cause the system to implement freeze protection to get the spa out of the danger zone. No action is needed. The main pump operates in this condition to circulate warm water throughout the plumbing until the unit is warmed up to 15°F (8°C) of the set temps.
– – – The water temp has raised above acceptable safety limits and triggered the safety “Watchdog” program of the spa system. Condition can cause injury or damage to spa and its components. The spa deactivates in this situation. DO NOT GET INTO THE WATER.
Contact dealer or a service technician.
BLBFlashes in between water temps and “blb” Indicates that spa needs a new UV bulb. Purchase new UV bulb from dealer and reset countdown timer.

880 Series Error Conditions / Error Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
OH Stands for “Overheat”- and the tub shuts down because one of the temperature sensors has detected that water temperatures have raised above acceptable safety limits. DO NOT GET INTO THE WATER!
Take off the spa cover to allow the water to cool down to fix the situation. Shut the power down to the hot tub and contact the dealer or service technician if the problem continues.
COOL Potential freeze condition detected and the System activates the heater and jets pump # 1 for protection. It happens when the spa water is more than 19.4°F (-7°C) colder than temperature set points. The system stays in this mode until water temps rise to 59°F (15°C) below the set temperature. No corrective action needed.
FLO Stands for Flow Switch. Means that the flow switch is malfunctioning or the flow of water is being inhibited. The heater is deactivated and filter/circulation may be deactivated, also. Check for clogged filter and proper water levels in the hot tub. See pp 60-62 of owner’s manual to do this. Contact the dealer or service technician if the problem continues.*Note: You may see this message after the hot tub has been drained and refilled, and the pump has not regained its prime. See page 77 of the owner’s manual if this is the case.
HOT Circuit board temperature threshold has been exceeded. The message will go away once the board temperature cools down to acceptable limits. If you continue to see this message, provide shade for the portion of the hot tub that houses the equipment.
ICE A freeze condition has been detected by the system. The jet pumps operates until the water is warmed and spa is out of danger zone. No action is needed. Note that this message may occur when the hot tub is filled for the first time because tap water is usually very cold.
PF Indicates a hot tub power failure. The power is fluctuating in the 2ndary power line resulting in low DC voltage. Attempt to rest the spa power, The PF error will reset itself if power levels return to normal. Contact the dealer or service technician if the problem continues.
PNL Indicates faulty communication between the spa’s control panel and circuit board and/or remote control panel. Contact the dealer or service technician.
Sn1 Stands for “Sensor 1” and displays when the high-limit sensor is malfunctioning. Indicates a shorted sensor and spa is shut down or an open sensor and heater is disabled. Contact the dealer or a service technician.
Sn3 Stands for “Sensor 3” and displays when the main water temperature sensor is shorted or disabled. The heater is disabled in this case. Contact the dealer or a service technician.
FLO2 or ICE2 Indicates that the flow switch is malfunctioning. The system is disabled in this case and system startup has shorted or has a closed flow switch in this situation. Contact the dealer or a service technician.
BLBFlashes in between water temps and “blb” Indicates that spa needs a new UV bulb. Purchase new UV bulb from dealer and reset countdown timer.

680 Series Error Conditions/ Error Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Sn1 Stands for “Sensor 1” and displays when the high-limit sensor is malfunctioning. Indicates a shorted sensor and spa is shut down or an open sensor and heater is disabled. Contact dealer or a service technician.
Sn2 Stands for “Sensor 2” and displays when the temperature sensor is malfunctioning. Indicates a shorted sensor and the heater is disabled. Contact dealer or a service technician.
FL1 or FL2 (Flashing) When FL1 code starts flashing it means the flow switch is malfunctioning and stuck open-likely because of a dirty filter or because there is an air lock problem at the circulation pump intake.When FL2 code starts flashing it means the flow switch isn’t working and it is stuck closed. In both cases, the spa heater will deactivate.· In both cases, the spa heater will deactivate and main pump # 1 may do the same.· The issue is caused by an excessively dirty filter cartridge that interrupts the flow of water leading to “air lock” conditions at the pump and malfunction of the flow switch.
  1. Check to see if the water level is below the lowest pillow but above the jets. Add water if needed.
  2. Check for dirty or clogged filter cartridge.
  3. a) Remove filter cartridge in order to purge the air lock from the circulation pump intake.
    b) Hold a garden hose over filter cartridge wall fitting and utilize a rag to make a seal around hose end.
    c) Get an assistant to help turn the water on for 30 seconds. Then turn it then turn it off.
    d)Replace the filter cartridge and verify the solution worked.
  4. 4. If circulation pump is not powering on, try cutting off power at the main breaker. Turning it on will reset cycle for the circulation pump. After the pump primes itself, the error message should go away.
  5. 5. Contact dealer or a service technician if problem continues.
COL Occurs only in Economy mode and Indicates a cool condition where temps have dropped 20°F (11°C) below current settings for them. System activates the heater and jets pump 1 to bring temp within 15°F (8°C) of set temps. No action required, but during cold weather you may want to increase the amount of filtration cycles.
ICE This only occurs when spa is in Economy mode and stands for “Ice;” means the system has detected a potential condition for freezing and will cause the system to implement freeze protection to get the spa out of the danger zone. No action is needed. The main pump operates in this condition to circulate warm water throughout the plumbing until the unit is warmed up to 15°F (8°C) of the set temps.
OH One of the sensors detected that the water in the hot tub is 112°F (44°C). Stands for “Overheat”- and the water temperature is too hot. The low speed pump is actuated to circulate the water through the heater. DO NOT GET INTO THE WATER!
– – – The water temp has raised above acceptable safety limits and triggered the safety “Watchdog” program of the spa system. Condition can cause injury or damage to spa and its components. The spa deactivates in this situation. DO NOT GET INTO THE WATER! Contact dealer or a service technician.
BLBFlashes in between water temps and “blb” Indicates that spa needs a new UV bulb. Purchase new UV bulb from dealer and reset countdown timer.

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