Can I use the heater element from a 240V spa hot tub in my 120V tub?

Posted by on . 6 comments.


The heater element in my 120V hot tub went out, but I have a heater tube assembly from a different hot tub that I'm considering attaching to my control box and using. The tube is fatter and shorter. The 240V element is one of those fat coil ones. It says 240V on it, but I'm wondering if it will work under only 120V? Will it get hot enough? Is there anything else I should consider?
I love it when people give me one or two word answers,and don't explain any details. Why will it not work? Other 240V elements on some websites say then can be used for 240V OR 120V; why not this one?



Comments

  1. Dr. Hot Tub Wilmington NC says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    It ABSOLUTELY will work….BUT…it will burn out a lot sooner then it ever should, and then you will be replacing it yet again. I have only personally done this out of necessity a few times with flow through style heaters, never any of the others to the older tubs. From what your stating it doesn't sound like you have a flow through heater. I would love to know the model of what you have and for manufacture of the spa pack your installing it in. The person is correct that you will only be getting 1.5kw an hour of heat like you did previously. So you will heating only 1+ degree an hour.

    All modern spa packs are convertible from 240v to 120v. They have 240v heating elements of course and heater relays so running less electricity to them is no problem.

    If possible when buying a new element try and get a "tefal" or "teflon" coated element so it will last longer.

    When I look at these answers, I find it amazing that people that do not do this for a living comment on something they have no real idea what they are saying, nor know the facts. Feel free to email us if you run into any problems or have questions.

  2. woolyfish88 says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    no wont work

  3. KirksWorld says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    Not a good idea.

    Better idea is to get the right model.

    Even better is to consider a professional.

    Water & Electricity require special attention even more so that either alone!

  4. TechnoStuff says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    If you connect a 240v heating element to 120v, you will only get 1/4 of the heat out of it (not 1/2, it will be 1/4 because not only have you reduced the voltage to half, the amperage is cut in half as well) and probably wont be enough heat.

    I would also be concerned about the physical differences, even though it wont get as hot, if it is closer to the walls of the compartment it goes in, it could cause problems with heating, obstructing water flow, who-knows-what-else.

  5. yo says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    ABSOLUTELY NOT

  6. MuzzledOyster says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    Rule of Thumb: If it plugs in, it will work.

    Side rule of Rule of Thumb: If it was designed to work, there would be, in writing, something to tell so.

    If your hot tub instructions say you can, you can. If they say you can't, you can't. And if it doesn't say anything, you still can't.

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