Cal Spas A515, A526, A534, A726B, A726L Owner's Manual

Copyright 2008-2009 LMS, Inc. All rights
reserved. Duplication without written
consent is strictly prohibited.

Cal Spas® is a registered trademark.
Due to continuous improvement pro-

grams, all models, operation, and/or
specications are subject to change with­out prior notice.

LTR20091024, Rev. A
12/15/08

CONTACT INFORMATION

For customer service, please contact

your authorized dealer immediately. If

you need additional information and/or

assistance, please contact:

LMS Customer Service Department

1462 East Ninth Street

Pomona, CA 91766

Toll Free: 1-800-CAL-SPAS

Fax: [phone]

www.calspas.com

Contents

Pre-Delivery and Installation Checklist ......................................1

Planning the Best Location..........................................................2

Portable Spa Site Preparation .....................................................4

In-Ground Spa Site Preparation ..................................................4

Getting the Spa Into Your Yard ...................................................6

Electrical Requirements .............................................................. 8

Electrical Requirements – US and Canada ....................................8

Electrical Installation -- Europe ................................................13

Installing the In-Ground Shell ..................................................16

Equipment Pack Plumbing Connections (In-Ground Spas) .......17

In-Ground Plumbing Connections .............................................19

Electrical and Electronic Connection ..........................................21

Pouring the In-Ground Spa Deck ..............................................25

Spa Technical Specications .....................................................26

LTR20091024, Rev. A

1

Pre-Delivery and Installation

Checklist

Most cities and counties require permits for exterior construction and elec­trical circuits. In addition, some communities have codes requiring resi­dential barriers such as fencing and/or self-closing gates on property to
prevent unsupervised access to the property by children under the age of

5. Your dealer can provide information on which permits may be required
and how to obtain them prior to the delivery of your spa.

We strongly recommend you have a qualied, licensed contractor perform

the installation of your in-ground or ported spa. The installation instruc-

tions contained in the manual are for the use of a qualied contractor or

installer.
Consumers who choose to install their own in-ground spas bear sole re-

sponsibility for any performance or warranty issues and may void portions
of their warranty as a result. For this reason, we strongly recommend they
hire an experienced professional for their installation.

For additional operating and installation information, please see your sell­ing dealer.

Portable Spa

Pre-Delivery Checklist

Before Delivery

Plan your delivery route
Choose a suitable location

for the spa
Lay a 3” - 4” concrete slab
Install dedicated electrical

supply

After Delivery

Place spa on slab
Connect electrical compo-

nents

In-Ground Spa

Pre-Delivery Checklist

Before Delivery

Plan your delivery route
Choose a suitable location

for the shell and equipment
pack

Excavate the hole
Install dedicated electrical

supply
Install dedicated NG line for

gas heater

After Delivery

Install shell in ground
Install equipment pack
Connect plumbing
Connect electrical compo-

nents
Pour the deck

LTR20091024, Rev. A

2

Planning the Best Location

Safety rst

Do not place your spa within 10 feet (3 m) of overhead power lines.
Make sure the spa is positioned so that access to the equipment compart-

ment and all side panels will not be blocked. Be certain that your installa­tion will meet all city and local safety codes and requirements.

Consider how you will use your spa

How you intend to use your spa will help you determine where you should
position it. For example, will you use your spa for recreational or therapeu­tic purposes? If your spa is mainly used for family recreation, be sure to
leave plenty of room around it for activity. If you will use it for relaxation

and therapy, you’ll probably want to create a specic mood around it.

Plan for your environment

If you live in a region where it snows in the winter or rains frequently,
place the spa near a house entry. By doing this, you will have a place to
change clothes and not be uncomfortable.

Consider your privacy

In a cold-weather climate, bare trees won’t provide much privacy. Think of
your spa’s surroundings during all seasons to determine your best privacy
options. Consider the view of your neighbors as well when you plan the
location of your spa.

Provide a view with your spa

Think about the direction you will be facing when sitting in your spa. Do

you have a special landscaped area in your yard that you nd enjoyable?

Perhaps there is an area that catches a soothing breeze during the day or
a lovely sunset in the evening.

Keep your spa clean

Prevent dirt and contaminants from being tracked into your spa by placing
a foot mat at the spa’s entrance where the bather’s can clean their feet be-

fore entering your spa. You may also consider keeping a small water-lled

basin nearby for bathers to rinse their feet before entering your spa.
In planning your spa’s location, consider a location where the path to and

from the house can be kept clean and free of debris.

LTR20091024, Rev. A

3

Allow for service access

Many people choose to install a decorative structure around their spa. If
you are installing your spa with any type of structure on the outside, such
as a gazebo, remember to allow access for service. It is always best to
design special installations so that the spa can still be accessed.

Outdoor equipment pack (in-ground spas only)

The Designer Spa series requires an external equipment pack. When locat­ing the outdoor equipment pack, you will want to consider the following:

The equipment pack must be located within a maximum of 15 feet •
from the spa.

Ensure the equipment running its normal ltration cycles does not •

make too much noise for spa owners and/or neighbors.

Ensure the equipment can be easily serviced for lter cleaning and •

periodic inspections in the location chosen.
If you are using a gas heater, you will need to consider wind and drafts •

as well as heater exhaust for proper heater placement. (See heater
owner’s manual for important location and safety information.)

The equipment base and heater must be placed on either a 3 1/2” •
cement slab or 3” paving stones.

Make sure the equipment area selected will not be in an area where •
water could run or stand.

If the area receives direct sunlight, you will want to provide some pro-•
tection for the equipment portion of the equipment pack.

The equipment pack and heater are delivered separately. Do not cover gas
heaters unless properly vented. (See heater owner’s manual for important
safety information.)

LTR20091024, Rev. A

4

Portable Spa Site Preparation

Your spa needs a solid and level foundation. The area that it sits on must
be able to support the weight of the spa, with water and the occupants
who use it. If the foundation is inadequate, it may shift or settle after the
spa is in place, causing stress that could DAMAGE YOUR SPA SHELL AND
FINISH.

Note: Damage caused by inadequate or improper foundation support is
not covered by the warranty. It is the responsibility of the spa owner to
provide a proper foundation for the spa.

Place the spa on an elevated foundation (preferably a 3” - 4” concrete
slab). Pavers, gravel, brick, sand, timbers or dirt foundations are not
adequate to support the spa. If you are installing the spa indoors, pay

close attention to the ooring beneath it. Choose ooring that will not be

damaged or stained.
If you are installing your spa on an elevated wood deck or other structure,

it is highly recommended that you consult a structural engineer or con­tractor to ensure the structure will support the weight of 150 pounds per
square foot.

To properly identify the weight of your new spa when full, remember wa­ter weighs 8.33 lbs. per gallon. For example, an average 8’ spa spa holds

approximately 500 gallons of water. Using this formula, you will nd that

the weight of the water alone is 4,165 lbs. Combined with the dry weight
of the spa you will note that this spa will weigh approximately 5,000 lbs.
when full of water.

Note: It is strongly recommended that a qualied, licensed contractor pre­pare the foundation for your spa.

Your Cal Spas retailer can help you with your foundation and more. Your
retailer has a wealth of information and experience about how to get the
most out of your spa and can provide you with a full line of accessories

that are designed to complement your spa and increase your enjoyment.

In-Ground Spa Site Preparation

Ensure there is enough room for the spa and equipment.•
The equipment pack must be located within a maximum of 15 feet •

from the spa.
Plan for proper electrical and gas service to both the equipment area •

and spa side.

Ensure the required at, level foundation can be constructed in the •

area chosen.

LTR20091024, Rev. A

5

The spa must be properly back-lled with wet sand, underneath and •

on all four sides.

The nal architecture must include permanent ground coverage within •

a 10 feet radius of the spa.
Never place any spa in a sealed area. Water must be able either to be •

absorbed into the surrounding area or channeled away. Water build-

up under and/or around the spa, will cause the spa to oat out of the

ground.

Grading Prior to Excavation

Selection of the Designer Spas site will determine how much grading will
have to be accomplished prior to the actual dig for the spa. Naturally, a
level area is best because it will require the least amount of preparation for
the dig, but in many cases there is no level area, therefore, the site must
be prepared to accept the Spa prior to dig. The spa site should be elevated
slightly higher than the surrounding area

When dealing with slopes, the severity of the slope will determine if retain­ing walls must be built in order to have a level area for the spa. If the slope
is relatively minor, contact your local building safety.

Site Excavation – Hard Bottom

For hard bottom placement for in-ground spas, you will need a smooth

and at concrete surface at least 4” thick as large as the bottom contact

points. Be sure not to seal the bottom off and making a sealed box. You
will need adequate water drainage for escape under the spa. A gravel beds
around the concrete base will help with this.

Site Excavation – Sand Bottom

With the spa area and all elevations planned including your decided type
of decking, you are now ready to proceed with the dig. An ideal excavation
is one that is as close as possible to the dimensions of the spa shell, but
with the following rules in mind. The excavation should be 2” to 4” deeper
than the actual spa for your sand bed. The sand bed is to level the spa
shell and provide a perfect support base with no voids when the spa is
lowered into the hole. Your excavation should be approximately one foot
longer and one foot wider than the spa shell. This will allow for a six inch
over dig all the way around the spa once it is in place. Additional hand

excavation will be required to insure the skimmer will t in the excavation

when attached to the spa.
Sand or rock dust must be used to bed the shell into the excavation and

for backll. In no event is dirt to be used. One of the easiest ways to know

how much sand is needed to be placed on the bottom of the excavation is
to set a grade stake at all four corners, and one on each side of the center
line in the bottom of the hole. If there are areas that are deeper than 2” to

4”, these can be lled with sand and are of no consequence.

LTR20091024, Rev. A

6

Getting the Spa Into Your Yard

Check the Dimensions of Your New Spa

The specication chart on page 26 lists your spa’s model and its dimen­sion as it sits on the delivery cart. During delivery, the spa must remain
on the delivery cart at all times. Compare the dimensions to the width of
the gates, sidewalks, and doorways along the delivery route. It may be
necessary for you to remove a gate or partially remove a fence in order to
provide an unobstructed passageway to the installation location.

Plan the Delivery Route

Consider the following when planning your delivery route:

Check the width of gates, doors and sidewalks to make sure your spa •
will pass through unobstructed. You may have to remove a gate or
part of a fence to allow for adequate width clearance.

Are there low roof eaves, overhanging branches or rain gutters that •
could be an obstruction to overhead clearance?

8’ spas need at least 42” wide gate and 9’ height clearance.•
If the delivery route will require a 90º turn, check the measurements •

at the turn to ensure the spa will t.

Are there protruding gas meters, water meters or A/C units on your •
home which will cause obstructions along the delivery path to your
yard?

Are there stairs in your delivery route? If so, you must consult your Cal •
Spas dealer prior to delivery to make adequate preparations.

Special Circumstances

The use of a crane for delivery and installation may become necessary if
you are unable to provide an adequate delivery route. It is used primarily

to avoid injury to your spa, your property or to delivery personnel. Your

Cal Spas dealer may be able to assist you with the arrangements. If your
spa delivery requires the use of a crane, the cost of a crane is generally
not included in the standard delivery service.

LTR20091024, Rev. A

7

LTR20091024, Rev. A

8

Electrical Requirements

Electrical Requirements – US and Canada
240 Volt Electrical Installation

All 240V spas must be permanently connected (hardwired) to the power
supply. These instructions describe the only acceptable electrical wiring
procedure. Spas wired in any other way will void your warranty and may

result in serious injury.

This is the only acceptable electrical wiring procedure. Spas wired in any
other way will void your warranty. See the wiring diagram on page 11.

When installed in the United States, the electrical wiring of this spa must
meet the requirements of National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA 70-2008 and
any applicable local, state, and federal codes. The electrical circuit must
be installed by an electrical contractor and approved by a local building /
electrical inspector.

GFCI and Wiring Requirements

The power supplied to the spa must be on a dedicated GFCI protected
circuit as required by ANSI/NFPA 70 with no other appliances or lights
sharing the power.

Use copper wire with THHN insulation. Do not use aluminum wire.
Use the table on the next page to determine your GFCI and wiring require-

ments.

When NEC requires the use of wires larger than #6 AWG, install a junction
box near the spa and use #6 AWG wire between the junction box and the

spa.
Wire runs over 85 feet must increase wire gauge to the next lower num-

ber. For example: A normal 50 amp
GFCI with four #8 AWG Copper wires
run over 85 feet would require you to
go to four #6 AWG copper wires.

Read and follow the heater manufac­turer’s safety and installation instruc­tions prior to installation and operation.
Incorrect installation may damage the
heater and void its warranty.