SmartpH Solution Internal

Now that SmartPH has started hitting the field we have identified a potential issue in some cases.

The Issue:

Under certain conditions, the Smart pH cartridge, which is designed to remain dry, can fill with water and become highly acidic.

When this occurs, the system may release this highly acidic water, leading to significant and rapid drops in your hot tub's pH levels (e.g., from 7 to 4). This typically happens because the original design of the cartridge housing cap lacked an O-ring, allowing water to be drawn in through the threads, especially when the water level is above them.
Once water enters, a siphon effect can cause the cartridge to continue filling.

Solutions:

We have identified several solutions to address this issue:

Option 1: Field Fix (Most Common) This solution is effective for most situations where the water level is not consistently above the cap. It involves two main steps:

Drill three small 1/8-inch holes into the top of the cap [00:55].

Add a diverter O-ring to the cap to ensure a proper seal [00:57]. These modifications allow the cartridge to drain properly when the pump is running on low speed. After implementing this fix, it is crucial to verify that the check valve is working correctly by observing if water drains out when the pump is on high speed and if no water flows back in when the pump is off [01:50]. If water flows back, the check valve has failed and needs to be replaced [02:06].

Option 2: Field Fix (If Water Level is Always High) If your hot tub's water level is consistently above the cap, do not drill holes in the cap. Instead:

Drill three 1/8-inch holes into the fitting on the cabinet side, just below the cam locks [09:50].

Still use an O-ring on the cap to seal it from the top [09:50]. Please note that drilling into the fitting may cause plastic bits to fall into the check valve, potentially damaging it [10:00]. To prevent this, we recommend snipping the line on the check valve, flushing out any plastic debris, and then reattaching it [10:00].

Option 3: Production Solution (Advanced)

This is a more advanced solution that involves drilling and tapping a bleeder tee into the fitting as high as possible.

This method uses a 29/64-inch drill bit (or a 1/2-inch bit with Teflon tape) and a 1/2-inch - 20 NF tap.

A 3/8-inch clear line is then attached to the bleeder plug, creating two loops above the waterline to prevent backflow [13:00].

This side should remain open for venting, ensuring that even if the check valve fails and the water level is high, water cannot backflow into the cartridge.

Important Note on Startup:

We recommend reviewing the provided video for a visual demonstration of these solutions. Please press play to watch.