HL
Artesian Spas High-Limit Trip / Localized Overheat

Display shows HL or HLo and spa shuts down or disables heater

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Insufficient water flow through heater manifold, Dirty or clogged filters, Partially closed slice valves, Failing circulation pump or low-speed pump

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off power at the GFCI breaker before working in the equipment bay.

  • Verify water level: Confirm the spa is filled to the recommended level, typically above the highest jet or skimmer opening.
  • Clean or remove filters: Take out all filters and rinse thoroughly. For diagnosis, run the spa briefly without filters to see if HL clears (do not operate long-term without filters).
  • Check valves: In the equipment bay, ensure all slice valves (gate valves) on suction and return lines are fully open and not partially closed.
  • Inspect circulation: With power restored, verify strong flow from the heater return and circulation jets. Weak or no flow indicates a circulation pump or flow restriction issue.
  • Bleed air: Loosen pump unions slightly to release trapped air, then retighten once water flows steadily.
  • Reset: After correcting flow issues, power cycle the spa. If HL returns, the high-limit sensor may be overly sensitive or failing and should be tested or replaced.

Persistent HL trips after flow corrections usually require a technician to evaluate the circulation pump, heater manifold, and sensors.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Filters for Artesian Spas
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