Balboa Water Group LM8 - Manual (Page 4)

4
Introduction to the LM8 System
Thank you for choosing Balboa Water Group’s LM8 - Low
Maintenance System. The LM8 system incorporates the following
features and benefits.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
All equipment and features are controlled from topside panel UÊ
Heater management system eliminates flow and pressure UÊ
switches
All logic and control functions for the entire spa are contained
UÊ
in a single module
Artificial intelligence saves energy
UÊ
touch panel UÊ
UÊ Self-testing diagnostics
Self-monitoring UÊ
Informative end user messages UÊ
Optional modules available for: UÊ
a) Audio FM tuner in a single chip and 100W of music power
without excessive heat, and
b) LED module with various dimming LED programs -
including LEDs with music; modules available for Sloan
lighting systems.
c) The lighting system can accommodate 12VDC or 12VAC.
USER FRIENDLY
The touch screen is the only required customer interface UÊ
Sensors that provide real time status of current draw, timers UÊ
for the Blower, Jets, Lights, Flow rate, and GPM
Automatic control of over heating, cold plumbing, and
UÊ stale
water in pumps
Special features i
UÊ nclude Economy and Auto Heat Modes,
12/24 hr time, degrees in F or C, and Lock Spa (child lockout).
A quick Setup screen and Status screen
UÊ
RELIABLE DESIGN
UÊ Redundant connections (topside, sensors, transformer, LEDs)
Redundant, gold plated, card edge connectors UÊ
Higher rated part spec’s (relays, capacitors, resistors, UÊ
transformer)
Extended factory testing of all control functions and special
UÊ
features
UÊ UL, CSA, CE
BUILT-IN TECH SUPPORT
Continuous self testing (motors, heater, sensors, modules) UÊ
Green/yellow/red status on topside shows replacement UÊ
needs for any spa component
Immediate identification of miswiring or failed components
UÊ
SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS
Major control functions separated into modules, which can UÊ
be replaced without opening pack
Module replacement costs less than replacing fully populated
UÊ
main boards.
THEORY OF OPERATION
Artificial Intelligence is used to turn the heater on just when UÊ
the water temperature drops 1 degree F (not 48 times per
day). The off time is constantly adjusted, based on nearness
to target. Benefits are energy savin
gs and less wearing
of the pump.
Since there is no sensor in the water, the water temperature UÊ
is reported only after the pump is run for at least 30 seconds
and the rate of temperature change is zero.
A
UÊ flow test is run before each heater usage. With the
pump off, the heater is tested for 6 seconds. Then the rate
of cooling is measured when the pump is turned back on.
Gallons/minute can be calculated.
To protect against loss of flow, the heater is turned off
UÊ
anytime the temperature in the heater increases by a rate of
more than 2 degrees/minute. This takes only seconds, and is
therefore safer than other systems.
An overheat condition does not display an error message.
UÊ
Instead, the heater will be locked off (until power is reset)
and the high temperature that was reached will be displayed
on the Status Screen for technician review.
CONTROL SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Fully Integrated and Self Contained UÊ
Modular Functions UÊ
Built-in Self Test UÊ
Advanced Heater Management System UÊ
High Reliability/Low Maintenance Design UÊ
Touch Screen Top Side UÊ
Five Issued/Pending Patents in the design UК