Balboa Water Group Spa Therapy Sequencer 52200-98 User Manual

Installation
Suggestions

P/N 52200-98

Suggestions For Installing The

Balboa Therapy Sequencer

05-28-14

Introduction

The Balboa Therapy Sequencer consists of a controller that opens and closes valves that supply water to four groups
of jets. When these jets are strategically located in a spa, they provide a sequencing massage therapy that enhances the
spa experience and provides added value to a spa. The top side control panel for the system allows the user to start or
stop the sequence, choose from 9 sequencing programs, select 1 of 3 sequencing speeds, and pause at any point in the
current program.

The valves in the system are intended to be hydraulically powered by a dedicated 2 hp or larger pump. This pump
should not be used for other operational functions such as heating or filtering. The maximum number of .312 diameter
orifice jets (full size jets) that should be connected to each 1” sequencing valve is five. If .250 diameter orifice jets are
being used, (euro jets) up to eight jets per sequencing valve may be connected. See Figure 1 for a
basic overview of the Balboa Therapy Sequencer control system.

The Balboa Therapy Sequencer is designed to receive electrical power from a Balboa Spa Controller that is configured to
energize a dedicated output for the Therapy Sequencer when the appropriate pump(s) have been energized.

Suggestion 1. Select the proper jets.

Use a jet that has an individual air connection that accepts 3/8” I.D. tubing. The air inlet for the jet should use check
valves to prevent water from backing into the air plumbing. Some jet manufacturers provide jets that are available with
this feature built into the jet and some provide individual inline check valves that are installed at the air inlet port when
the air tubing is installed. Regardless of which jet is selected, the check valve will prevent water from entering the air
system and will enable the jet to aspirate immediately when water is supplied to the jet from the sequencing valves. Jets
that do not aspirate quickly will not produce effective hydrotherapy as they are being sequenced on and off, especially
during the shorter “on” times of the faster sequences. The “on” time will be used up waiting for the jet to aspirate.

In addition to using check valves in the air lines to the jets, be sure to route the air lines vertically from the jet to a
manifold that is located above the maximum normal water line of the spa. Gravity will aid the removal of any water
that may have accumulated in the air line as vacuum is created within the venturii of the jet. Also make sure that the
plumbing in the air system does not starve the air requirement of the jets when they are all aspirating at the same time.

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Therapy Sequencer

Use a jet that has an individual water connection that accepts 3/4" tubing or flex PVC. The tubing may in some cases
be preferred because it can be disassembled. The tubing or PVC is then routed as directly as possible to a 4 or 5 port
manifold ,depending on the number of jets connected to each valve. (A 4 port manifold can be made into a 5 port by
adapting one of the unused through ports to accept the plumbing from the jet.) The 2" inlet to the manifold is then
reduced to accept the 1” sequencing valve. Important: Using a manifold with a 2" inlet provides a large I.D. within
the manifold that helps to reduce friction loss and back pressure which in turn enhances flow and helps to produce the
maximum amount of therapy at the jet. See Figures 1 and 2.

Suggestion 2. Select the proper pump.

The Balboa Therapy Sequencer is intended to operate with a 2 hp or larger pump. The pump selected should deliver
a minimum of 140 to 150 gpm @ 15 to 18 psi. This will provide enough flow to aspirate all the jets in the system. (20
full size jets or 32 euro jets)

Suggestion 3. Layout the jet pattern and plan the plumbing

schematic in your spa to take advantage of all the
selectable sequencing programs.

Design the jet layout so that each valve supplies no more than five full size jets or eight euro jets. Think about how you
will plumb these jet groupings for the best mechanical as well as hydraulic efficiency. Plan the jet layout so that each
valve supplies an equal number of jets. The plumbing scheme shown in Figure 1 works well. Start by building the
valve/manifold assembly as shown in Figure 2. Be sure to orient the valves so that the flow arrows on the valves point
toward the jets. Position the valve/manifold assembly and then systematically connect each jet to the outlet ports of the
manifold. If you are using 8 euro jets per valve, use two 4-port manifolds plumbed together to provide additional ports
for the additional jets. Important: If debris from the manufacturing process is in the plumbing of the system, blow
it out with compressed air before installing the valves. This will avoid the possibility of clogging the valves during the
water test

Next, assign numbers to each valve. If you have arranged the jet groupings in horizontal rows, (the best configuration)
the top row should be supplied by valve number 1. Valves 2, 3, and 4 should follow below the top row in numerical
order with valve number 4 supplying the bottom row. Adhere the number stickers supplied with the Therapy Sequencer
to each valve and to the end of the power cable for each valve. This will aid you in connecting the valves electrically
to the Therapy Sequencer in the proper order and assure that the jet zones are controlled to produce the best therapy
patterns. To help you understand how the valves will be sequenced, consult the valve-sequencing chart shown in Figure

3. The chart shows 9 selectable sequencing programs, each program providing a different sequencing order.

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Therapy Sequencer