Draining Your Spa; Prevention Of Freezing; Winterizing Your Spa - Caldera Makena Owner's Manual

DRAINING YOUR SPA

1. Turn off all RCD breakers in sub-panel, or main electrical panel.
2. Locate the main drain valve (bottom front) for the spa. Pull on
handle (Figure 1, pliers may be
used to pull handle) until you
reach the mid position then
rotate handle slightly to fully
extended drain tube (drain cap
and 2.5 cm (1") of the drain
tube is exposed) (Figure 2) then
remove the drain cap
(Figure 3).
NOTE: Do not remove drain
cap in mid position. Attach
the garden hose to the end
of the drain (to avoid flooding
of the foundation surrounding
the spa) making sure not to
push the drain tube inward.
Route the outlet of the hose to an
appropriate draining area.
NOTE: Spa water with a high
sanitizer level may harm plants
and grass.
3. Push the garden hose and drain
tube half-way back towards the
spa (Figure 4) which will start the
gravitational flow. Drain tube
must be in the mid position for
the spa to drain.
IMPORTANT: All models will
drain almost completely through
the drain valve. Equipment such
as the jet pump and heating
system may not completely
drain. Any water remaining within the plumbing or equipment after
draining will only need to be removed if the spa is being winterized.
4. After your spa is empty, clean the shell and filter cartridge.
5. Pull and remove garden hose, replace drain cap and push drain
tube back into spa as seen in Figure 1.
6. Follow the "START-UP PROCEDURES" to refill your spa.

PREVENTION OF FREEZING

Your spa has been designed and engineered for year-round use in
any climate. In some areas, extremely cold temperatures below -12°C
(10°F) combined with strong wind, may cause partial freezing of the jet
pump, even though the water inside the spa remains at the selected
temperature. The energy efficiency of the spa may also decrease during
these cold periods, as the heater will cycle more frequently. As an
additional precaution against partial freezing of some of the components,
the equipment compartment can be insulated with an insulating kit
(available from your local dealer). This insulating kit will also help to
maximize the spa's energy efficiency.
NOTE: When warmer weather returns approx. 16° - 21°C (60 - 70°F),
the insulating kit must be removed to prevent overheating of the jet
pump.

WINTERIZING YOUR SPA

If you leave the spa unused for a long period of time in severely cold
weather, you should drain the spa and winterize it to avoid accidental
freezing due to a power or equipment failure.
DANGER: Use only Propylene Glycol as your anti-freeze (available
at most RV or marine supply stores). This is non-toxic. Never use an
automobile anti-freeze (Ethylene Glycol) since it is toxic!
WARNING: Failure to follow these instructions correctly can lead to
freeze damage not covered by warranty. It is strongly recommended
that you contact your local dealer to perform this service.
1.
Figure 1
2.
Handle
Figure 2
3.
Drain Cap
with
Handle
Figure 3
Drain
Tube
4.
Figure 4
5.
Garden
Hose
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Replace the equipment access door, if removed.
OPENING INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
Page 26
Drain your spa following the Draining Your Spa section in the
owner's manual.
Remove the filter cartridge, clean and store in a dry place.
IMPORTANT: These additional instructions must be utilized when
draining and winterizing your spa in climates where the temperature
falls below 0°C (32°F). A 19 liter (5 gallon) combination (vacuum/
blower) wet/dry shop vac must be used to effectively remove water
that is trapped inside the plumbing lines.
Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum side of the shop vac.
Vacuum all openings and orifices as follows:
a. Jet openings: start with the jets at the top and move
downward (if suction is coming from another jet, block off the
other jet using a large rag – this will help pull out the water that
is trapped deeper inside the main line).
b. Filter suction fittings and filter compartment.
c. Main drain outlet (it may be necessary to cover the drain grate
tightly with a rag when vacuuming the main drain to ensure
water is drawn completely from the internal plumbing system).
Thoroughly dry the spa shell with a clean towel.
Remove pump door first. Once door is removed unscrew the pump
drain plugs located on the front of the pump housing. Allow all
water to drain out. Place the drain plugs in a ziplock bag and store
near the pumps. Replace the drain plugs on Start-up.
Unscrew the pump unions and allow the water to drain. Loosen
and remove hose attached to circulation pump to allow any
remaining water from heater and spa to drain out. Replace
circulation pump hose once water is drained. NOTE: Tighten the
pump unions prior to filling the spa.
Replace the main drain cap.
Using a long-extension funnel, pour anti-freeze into all standpipes,
filter suction fittings, jet orifices and water feature orifices. Add
enough anti-freeze to ensure adequate protection – in many
cases, you will see the liquid in the orifice, or coming out of another
location.
CAUTION: Use only Propylene Glycol as your anti-freeze. This is
non-toxic. Never use an automobile anti-freeze (Ethylene Glycol)
since it is toxic!
Close the spa cover and fasten the cover tie downs. Cover the spa
cover with two pieces of plywood to evenly distribute the weight of
snow and ice. Secure a plastic sheet, or tarp, over the spa cover
and plywood.
Remove plywood and plastic sheet. Open the spa cover by
unfastening the cover tie downs.
Follow the Start-up Procedures in the Getting Started section of
the Owner's Manual. Do not install filters to prevent them from
exposure to the anti-freeze.
As part of this process, superchlorinate the spa water by adding
three teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 950 liters (250
Spa Care and Maintenance