One thing I know is that there are things you pay a professional to do, and there are others you must learn to DO YOURSELF! (Don't ask me why those words were capitalized) I wondered which one of those servicing my hot tub fell under. In more detail, it was time to change the bulb on the Clear-ray water management system, the insert for the filter, and a couple more things I would get to if I didn't screw those up. Lets give it a shot and find out.

Remember to cut the power from the source to be safe

So, the Clear-Ray system https://www.jacuzzi.com/en-ca/hot-tubs/products/accessories/clearray-uv-c-technology is an Ultra Violet component that augments the sanitation system and makes it so that you have to use less chemicals to keep the water clean. Every couple of years, these UV bulbs have to be changed. I would liken it to changing the oil filter on your car maybe.

Time to open the hood.Maybe 20 deck screws keep the side on this thing and 4 screws for the cover on the electric panel. Turns out you don't have to open that panel to replace the Clear-ray bulb.

Where the hell is this thing?

AHA! There is the little box and the clear ray logo. 4 more screws.

When you pop that plate off, you can see the connector and the nice rubber boot that helps the bulb stay seated and moisture-resistant. It all pulls apart rather easily and is not unlike changing a video card in a computer.

Maybe like pulling the enriched uranium out of the bomb?

It is a bit funny but the replacement bulb seems to be a different form factor though basically the same shape and power connector.

In hindsight, I should have put the exciting part later on in this story but it is too late in the evening to go about editing. The rest of the job was rather simple.

• Siphon out the old water and replace it with new water from the hose.
• Spray off and scrub the filter
• Replace the little chlorine thingy (ProClear mineral cartridge https://www.jacuzzi.com/en-ca/hot-tubs/products/accessories/proclear-minerals)
• Add initial chlorine dose
• Fire it up!

Another small challenge presented itself in the form of a new ProClear cartridge not fitting the old rod insert and not being packaged with one that fit. Hence, the patented Zeke-Job Frankenstein operation that involved a bit of old school crazy glue (The young ones call it Kraggle.)

It sits right in the middle of the filter where the water goes into the filtration system.

All in all, maintenance is something worth doing regularly so that you don't have to buy all the supplies at once, and have to do 3 jobs in 1. It is a good way to earn Wife Points© (https://steemit.com/ulog/@zekepickleman/wife-points) for the record, and was fairly straight forward. If you don't read a follow up post about how I blew circuits or screwed the tub up in some manor, I would say I am an instant expert!

Just in time for some post-snow-shovelling soaking as the winter settles in.......

What was your do-it-yourself effort this week?