FLO error message

[Zanyman]

I have a Coleman Horizon Series 400 spa that started the above message and no heat. The message alternates with the tub temperature. I've tried removing the filter but the error message stays on. The two pumps both run strong with what seems to be good pressure. The tub is probably 10 years old. Is there a generic pressure switch that can be used for replacement, or do I have to remove the old one to see it's make and model. (I am a customer, and recently ordered a cover for the spa from your company.) I've tried resetting the breaker also to no avail? I'd consider replacing the whole heater assembly as this tub is getting old?

[MaryH]

So the GFCI will not reset? I would first make sure power is off to spa and then disconnect the heater. Turn power back on to and run the pumps to see if GFCI doesn't not trip. If it doesn't trip chances are your heater is bad. It may also have corrosion built up in it causing the FLO error code reading.

[brian]

Zanyman,

A FLO error message means the system is not detecting good water flow moving through the heater. So your spa actually has poor water flow or the system thinks it does. Spa's have a pressure or flow switch that detects good water flow moving through the heater and allows the system to send voltage to the heater. It is a safety device, so the spa should not heat if the system is not detecting good water flow.
Causes of FLO error messages:
**Bad filters, clogged plumbing: if the filters are saturated or if the plumbing leading from the filters is clogged, they will restrict the water flow moving through the heater. Turn the power off and remove the filters and check and clear the plumbing. Operate the spa without the filter and see if the error message goes away. If so, clean or replace your filters.
**Damaged pump: if the pump that supplies the heater is damaged, then it won't be able to supply the correct water pressure to close the pressure or flow switch. Clean, repair, or replace the pump.
**Bad pressure or flow switch: If the above are fine, the pressure or flow switch may be damaged or clogged. You can try temporarily jumping the switch, cleaning, or replacing the switch to see if the message goes away.
**Damaged circuit board: If all the above are fine, then it is most likely the circuit board that is damaged and cannot interpret the good water flow signal from the pressure switch. Repairing the circuit board may be possible, but typically circuit boards are replaced.

Hope this helps.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks,
Brian C.

I have a Coleman Horizon Series 400 spa that started the above message and no heat. The message alternates with the tub temperature. I've tried removing the filter but the error message stays on. The two pumps both run strong with what seems to be good pressure. The tub is probably 10 years old. Is there a generic pressure switch that can be used for replacement, or do I have to remove the old one to see it's make and model. (I am a customer, and recently ordered a cover for the spa from your company.) I've tried resetting the breaker also to no avail? I'd consider replacing the whole heater assembly as this tub is getting old?

[Zanyman]

I meant that the GFCI would not reset the heater. Everything runs except the heater. The GFCI does not trip. There is always a small word "heat" on the control panel when the tub calls for heat. The word is not there, so I assume that the heater is not being requested to heat? How do I find out what heater to buy? As I said in my first post, I'd consider getting a heater as the tub is probably more than 10 years old.

[MaryH]

I see, then it very well could be the pressure switch causing it. You have already tried the filter with no success and pumps are running normally. You can try temporarily jumping across the pressure switch to see if the error code goes away. With a FLO reading the system will not allow the heater to come on for safety reasons. The pressure switch can even be clogged causing problem. I don't know if your heater is bad at this point, we aren't getting a call for heat. We do have a generic pressure switch, part number 2-4037P.

[Zanyman]

This morning the tub was up to temp, so apparently the heater ran during the night filter cycle. We have company this weekend, so I'll take the plumbing apart next week, clean the switch, and see from there. I'm assuming that you just jump the two wires going to the switch to test? As you see from my original post, I had already tried to run without the filter in place which didn't work. This tub is a bear to work on as the former home owners built it into a deck, and there is hardly any room under the framing.

[MaryH]

Yes jump across the two wires going to flow switch to bypass the switch.

[Zanyman]

Yes jump across the two wires going to flow switch to bypass the switch.

The FLO message has not reappeared since Thursday, and the heater is working so I'll just have to wait to see if the problem returns?

[MaryH]

Sounds good, there may have been something clogging the pressure switch and broke free? Yes just monitor it. Thanks, Mary