129. Support: GFCI Immediately trips. This is not an initial install.

When a GFCI trips it means that electricity is coming into contact with water or shorting to ground. It is not safe to use the spa in this condition. In an installation that has been up and running for some time, this is generally, but not always a damaged heater element. We can issue you an RMA to send the SpaGuts brand controller or parts into the Service Center, but making the following checks will help isolate the parts involved. DAMAGED HEATER ELEMENT When spa water becomes out of balance, sometimes even for short period of time, the water becomes either Scaling or Corrosive. This can cause rapid damage to any of the spas components, but generally the heater element is first to go since it is submerged directly in the water. A visual inspection of the elment by looking down the manifold can give you a good indication that the element is damaged. Look for white scale, rust or green oxidation on the element; these are indications of improper water balance. If this is the situation then replacing the element may correct the problem, but often times this type of damage also involves other parts that if left without replacement could cause future damage to the entire controller. We recommend having the controller inspected and tested at the Service Center for this problem. To prevent future damage, spa water should be checked using a liquid chemical kit 3 times per week followed by balancing the water per the Langlier Index for the most accurate results and longevity of the spa equipment. OTHER COMPONENTS Test other components by unplugging them from the controller and powering the controller on with the heater temperature turned off or completely down. If the GFCI doesn't trip, shutting down the power, plugging the next component in and repeating this process will provide insight as to if any of these component are causing the voltage leak into the water. If a particular component trips the GFCI it is likely that that component is shorted. GFCI A GFCI breaker may be defective or damaged and cause the GFCI to trip. If you suspect a defective GFCI and you are not a licenced electrician, it would be reasonable to have this safety device tested and or replaced.