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Tub Troubles

Bullfrog Spas Error Codes & Information

Bullfrog Spas is part of Bullfrog International, and they have been making hot tub products since 1996. The company is based out of Utah, and each of their designs features their patented JetPak Therapy System. This technology gives users the option to upgrade, interchange and customize the jetted massage that their hot tub provides. With the JetPak system Bullfrog Spas is unique in an industry that has very little uniqueness.

Bullfrog Spas products are sold in numerous countries. The hot tubs are designed with hydrotherapy and energy efficiency in mind. The company has won more than 30 industry awards, and they have been an A+ rated Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau since 2010. In 2007, Bullfrog Spas made the switch to a completely wood free structure, and their products were rated as energy efficient by the state of California in 2006.

Popular Bullfrog Spa Models

  • A Series
  • STIL
  • R Series
  • SportX Series
  • Spa Vault

Bullfrog Spas Hot Tub Covers

The Cover Guy custom makes all models of Bullfrog Spas replacement Hot Tub Covers. The Cover Guy has all the dimensions of the Bullfrog hot tubs on file so you never need to measure! When ordering your Bullfrog replacement cover just leave the dimensions blank. Then let us know what model you have and we will take care of the rest. You can order your new Bullfrog replacement hot tub cover from The Cover Guy.

Bullfrog Error Codes

These are the error codes and display messages that a Bullfrog Spa may display, along with what they mean and the action required:

S Series, A900 General Messages

There will be many messages and alerts that appear on the main screen during your ownership. Many of them may be displayed in sequence. You can often reset the spa unit by pressing the “jets” button.

Message Meaning Action Required
– – –°F – – –°C Means that the temperature of the water is unknown. When the pump has been running for a total of 1 minute, the temperature is displayed.
Possible freezing condition Means the equipment has detected potentially freezing condition to the unit. All of the water devices are then activated. The pumps may cycle on and off in some cases, and the heater may function during Freeze Protection. This is not an error indication but an operational message.
The water is too hot Means the spa system has detected that the water temp is 110°F (43.3°C) or more, thus disabling spa functions. Once the spa water temperature is below 108°F (42.2°C) the system will auto reset. Conduct verification checks for high ambient temperatures and extended pump operation.

Heater-Related Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
The water flow is low Means there may not be sufficient enough water flow through the heater to carry heat away from the unit’s heating element. After 1 minute, the heater start up begins again. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
The water flow has failed* Means there may not be sufficient enough water flow through the heater to carry heat away from the unit’s heating element, and the system has disabled the heater. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below. Once the issue is taken care of, press any button to reset and to begin the startup mode of the heater.
The heater may be dry* Means there is a possibility of dry heater or an insufficient amount of water in the heater in order to start it. The spa system will shut down for 15 minutes. Press any of the buttons in order to reset heater start-up. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
The heater is dry* Indicates that there isn’t a sufficient amount of water in the heater in order to start it. The system shuts the spa down. Once the issue is resolved, clear the message in order to restart the heater startup. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
Heater too hot* Means that a temperature sensor detected temperatures that are too hot in the heater ( 118°f /47.8°C). The system shuts the spa down. Clear message once the water level goes below 108°f (42.2°C). See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
Flow-Related Checks Check performed to see dirty hot tub filters, low water levels, suction flow restrictions, too many closed jets, pump primed and trapped air. On some systems the equipment may continue to turn on tp monitor temperature or conditions to see if freeze protection is needed , even when an error condition shuts the spa down.

*You can reset this message from the topside panel.

Sensor-Related Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Out of sync Indicates that the sensors that monitor temperature may be out of sync by 2-3°F. Put in a service call.
Same message as above, but with '— Service Call' in addition to message* Indicates that sensors that monitor temps are not in sync. The fault in category box above has been going on for an hour at least. Put in a service call.
Sensor A & Sendor B Fault – Sensor A, Sensor B Indicates a failure of a sensor circuit or temperature sensor. Put in a service call.

Miscellaneous Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Communications error The spa unit control panel isn’t receiving the communication from its system. Put in a service call.
Test software installed The spa unit’s control system is functioning with test software. Put in a service call.
°F or °C is replaced by °T The spa unit’s control system is operating in Test Mode. Put in a service call.

*You can reset this message from the topside panel.

System-Related Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Program memory failure* Means system failed the Program Checksum Test during the unit’s power-up. This indicates a problem with the operation program. This situation needs a service call.
Settings have been reset — (Persistent error with the memory)* Contact the service organization or your dealer if this particular message comes up more than once when the unit is powering up.
The clock has failed* Contact service organization or your dealer.
Configuration error (Spa isn’t starting up) Contact service organization or your dealer.
GFCI test has failed (The spa unit system was unable to test the GFCI) Can indicate installation is unsafe. (North America Only) Contact service organization or your dealer.
A pump may be stuck on Means a condition where the water may have overheated. SHUT DOWN THE POWER TO THE SPA. DO NOT GO IN THE WATER.
Contact service organization or your dealer.
Hot fault Spa pump most likely is Stuck ON when the the spa was last powered. SHUT DOWN THE POWER TO THE SPA. DO NOT GO IN THE WATER.
Contact service organization or your dealer.

*You can reset this message from the topside panel.

Reminder Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
General maintenance — help Means that suppression of reminder messages happen when the spa unit comes from the factory, but you can still activate these settings by accessing the Preferences Menu. See Page 14 in the owner’s manual.
Clean the filter This often appears on a typical schedule – for instance, every 30 days. See the owner’s manual regarding cleaning the filter – should be under Filter Maintenance.
Test the GFCI The GFCI is a critical safety device, and this message will appear every 65 days. It must be tested as part of a preventive maintenance schedule to verify reliability. The GFCI has a TEST and RESET button on it that will allow you to verify that its functioning properly.
Change the water This message appears every 100 days Alerts you to change water in the spa unit regularly in order to maintain sanitary conditions and the right chemical balance.
Change the filter This message appears every 365 days Alerts you to replace filters occasionally in order to promote sanitary conditions and proper spa functions.

Reminder messages are found on the topside panel and can be reset from there

R600 and S600 General Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Displays Run, PMPS PURG AIR Priming Mode-Every time that the spa unit is started (powered up), it enters the Priming Mode. Priming Mode functions to enable you to run the pumps and manually verify that water is flowing and that air is purged from pumps. This verification is typically not possible in normal operating mode of the spa and requires the separate observation of the output of each pump. Priming Mode goes on for 4 minutes, but can be exited earlier by depressing the Temp button. During Priming Mode, the heater is not permitted to run. Keep in mind that the spa will turn on with Jets 1 during Priming Mode if it has a Circ Pump. When you exit the Priming Mode, the Circ Pump runs by itself.
– – –°F – – –°C Means that the temperature of the water is unknown. The temperature will be displayed after the pump runs for 1 minute. The pumps may cycle on and off in some cases, and the heater may function during Freeze Protection.
Too Cold – Freeze Protection Means the equipment has detected potentially freezing condition to the unit. All of the blower and pump devices are activated. These devices stay on for at least 4 min after the potential freeze condition ends. In some examples, the heater may operate, and the pumps may cycle on and off during Freeze Protection. This is not an error indication but an operational message.
Water is too Hot (OHS) Means that a water temperature sensor has detected water temperatures 110°F (43.3°C). Spa functioning is then disabled. Once water temperature is below 108°F (42.2°C), the System will then auto reset. Check for high ambient temperatures or extended pump operation.

Heater-Related Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Message (HFL) – Heater Flow is Reduced Indicates possibility of inadequate water flow to heater to carry heat away from the spa unit’s heating element. After about 1 minute, the heater startup will begin once again. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
Message (LF)*- Heater Flow is Reduced Means there is inadequate water flow to heater to carry heat away from the spa unit’s heating element. The heater is disabled. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below. You can depress any button to reset after the issue is taken care of.
Message (dr)*- Heater may be Dry Means there isn’t enough water to start it or a possibility of a dry heater – spa is shut down for 15 minutes. Reset the heater startup by depressing any button. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
Message – Heater is Dry* Means there isn’t enough water to start it. Spa shuts down. Reset the heater startup by depressing any button after issue is resolved. See box for 'Flow Related Checks' down below.
Message (OHH)* – Heater is too Hot Means a water temperature sensor detected temperature of 118°f (47.8°C) inside the heater. Spa shuts down. You must press any button to reset when water is below 108°f (42.2°C). See 'Flow Related Checks' below.
Other messages may appear with the Reset Message. Power may need to be restored or removed for some errors.

Flow-Related Checks determine conditions such as closed valves, suction flow restrictions, pump prim, low water level, trapped air and too many closed jets. Some equipment may power on occasionally to continue monitoring to determine if freeze protection is required or for temperature checks on some systems even when spa is powered off.

* You can reset this message from the topside panel by depressing any button.

Sensor-Related Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
Sensor Balance is Poor The temperature sensors more than likely are out of sync by 2°F – 3°F. Put in a service call.
Sensor Balance is Poor* The temperature sensors actually are out of sync. The fault ‘Sensor Balance is Poor’ has been ongoing for at least 1 hour. Put in a service call.
Sensor Failure displays with Sensor A, Sensor B Means that the sensor circuit or a temperature sensor or has failed. Put in a service call.

Miscellaneous Messages

Message Meaning Action Required
No Communications Means control panel of the spa isn’t receiving any communications from the System. Put in a service call.
Pre-Production Software Means Control System of the spa is functioning with test software. Put in a service call.
°F or °C is replaced by °T The Control System is working in Test Mode. Put in a service call.

* You can reset this message from the topside panel.

Download Bullfrog Spas Owner's Manual