Understanding Communication Error in Dimension Hot Tubs

Spas with a sequencing system occasionally show a communication error message, or —-F, in the main upper control display window. This is a result of electrical “noise” which needs to be cleared out of the lower control system. You can fix this with a little time and patience. This process will work on spas with a sequencing system and a 7-button upper control panel, (see below), generally manufactured between 2002-2006.

Our guide will solve the problem most of the time but if it persists, give us a call and we’ll walk you through the process again. There are a few additional steps we can help you with.

Step 1:
Turn off power at the GFCI and remove the front equipment access panel.
Step 2:
Remove the front cover of the lower control box to access the pc board inside. We are going to work on the right side of the printed circuit board. Find the 6 sockets on the edge of the pc board.

Step 3:

If there is a connector at P8, unplug it. (This is for an optional Handheld Remote Control System, which was a marginally good idea and almost no one bought). We won’t be plugging this connector back in later.

Step 4:

Unplug any connectors at P1 – Main Control, P2 – EXT, and P3 – Aux Control.

Step 5:

Unplug the connector at P4.

Step 6:

When you unplugged the piece at P4, you noticed a few inches of wire and a coupler. (We’ll call that extra wire and coupler a “pigtail”). There is a connector that plugs into the coupler from the left side. This comes from the main upper control key-pad. Separate it from the coupler and plug it directly onto P4.

Step 7:

Turn the power at the GFCI and wait a few minutes. If our operation was successful, the display will return to its normal operation. Our procedure will solve the problem most of the time, but if it persists give us a call and we’ll walk you through it again. There can be a few additional steps we can help you with.

Step 8:

Turn off power at the GFCI.

Put everything back together as it originally was at P4.

A. Reconnect the original connector at P4.

B. Reattach the end of the pigtail and main upper control keypad connector together.

Step 9:

Reattach any connectors at P1, P2, and P3. (Do not plug connector at P8 again.)

Step 10:

Turn power back on at the GFCI. The spa should still be operating normally.