Dream Maker hot tubs or home spas

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, care not known

   Made Apr 8, 2015 · , sent to the company Apr 16, 2015 · , published by CPSC Apr 30, 2015

   The product, in the report: Dream Maker Hot Tub Spa ES2-PU1-GB Model # ES2-PU1-GB Part # 0 Mfg. 2/25/2015 Serial Number E1302090 CKR BR 15/40 VOLTS 120/240 AMPS 12/28

   HOT TUB HAS TWO DESIGN FLAWS THAT ALLOW LIVE 120 VAC TO BE TRANSMITTED TO USER. ------------------------------------------------------

   Text of Submitter’s letter dated April 2, 2015 to Dream Maker Spas (excerpted):

   Re: This letter is in regards to the following product manufactured and sold by your company.

   Dream Maker Spas Model# ES2-PU1-GB Part# 0 Mfg. 2/25/2015 Serial Number E1302090 CKA BR 15/40 VOLTS 120/240 AMPS 12/28

   As the best recollection of both my wife and I, my wife purchased the spa from Griffith Pools and Spas in the Spring of 2013 possibly at a show as a special and we asked if they could hold it. At that time I did not think we had a suitable location for the SPA at our home and decided that we would come up with an idea or build out an area to locate it.

   Again as best as I recall the unit was delivered by the Griffin Pools and Spa sub-contractor sometime in the Spring of 2014. At that time we filled the spa and started using it. And I might add thoroughly enjoyed it.

   In the Fall of 2014 one night when I was stepping out of the spa onto very wet concrete pavers I had my hand in the spa water and my feet on the wet pavers.

   I received a very strong stinging numbing sensation. My first thought was that can’t be what I think it was. Thinking it may have been what can happen with the body where the body mimics something similar to an electrical shock, I again stuck the tips of my fingers into the spa water and again received a very strong stinging which I then clearly recognized as an electrical shock as having been a Clemson University graduate Electrical Engineer along with 40 years of working with electricity on many levels it was clear to me that I was acting as the grounding path for a spa that has the water in it charged with 120 VAC or some level of that voltage which a professional will always tell you that having your body act as a ground conductor never turns out good for the person.

   I did call and advise you of my experience immediately and your response was very rudimentary in that an individual came by an “checked” the spa wiring, however I was not home and I suggested over the phone to him that he simply mimic my test where he soak the pavers in water or use one of my water hoses running on his feet and then stick his hand in the water which he told me he would not do so. So getting to the problem was avoided and let drop.

   Myself being not really sure of a good means to test the spa and also not having the spa on my priority list allowed it to languish until recently when my wife started asking me how are we going to “fix” the spa.

   Being an engineer for 40 plus years my first thought is before we fix the problem we define the problem and get at least an idea. So recently I came up with a very simply test.

   I used a #12 THHN AWG insulated wire and stripped both ends. Having the spa plugged in I insert one end in the water of the spa and the other end in a grounding receptacle point on a receptacle plug. I verified the ground was OK with a simply tester.

   The result of this homemade testing was astounding. When the circuit is on a 15 AMP breaker the breaker is tripped every time when I do the short the water to ground. Using a 20 AMP CB it maintains the charged water and will not trip the breaker. The factory installed cord GFI never trips. Recently I had left the tub unplugged for a day and when I plugged it back in my main 200 amp main house breaker tripped for an unexplained reason. Point is the GFI does not work and the spa water will shock the person creating the ground path.

   I believe based on my testing that there are two serious shortcomings in regards to the product which has a GFI which is a device that when a fault occurs such as I experienced the power to the spa will be shut off. This device always failed to function. Secondly the spa with the design as it stands can have component failures that will induce lethal voltages into the spa waters and when a person is in the water and touches a grounding surface outside the tub they will suffer a voltage shock causing injury and again possibly death.

   Based on that experience I need to ask how you intend to resolve the issue as I called your company last Fall and received very minimal support to date with this situation what I based on my years of experience is a hazard in a product that can result in human injury and potentially death to people using the spa.

   Having 40 years of work experience I recognize that no one wishes to build or sell products that can cause harm, however unfortunately as hard as we try the situation does occur. Also unfortunately in my 40 years I have also learned that the first response of nearly every company I have ever dealt with is that the company and their lawyers try to smear the person being victimized instead of addressing the real issue. So let’s both stick to what I want and that is a safe spa. I loved the unit but now am gun shy and will not use the product based on the issues.

   Again I repeat my only agenda in writing and bringing this problem to the attention yourself and other people is that I like the hot tub and the size was perfect for my family including grown kids and grandkids, however my families safety takes priority over getting my feelings hurt and also the general public who has this spa need to be made aware of the possibilities of what could happen based on my experiences.

   I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem however I will not be waiting for your reply as this issue needs an immediate thorough investigation and based on that investigation provide both me a response due to the what I believe is unsafe and possible lethal consequences in using the product to not only me but the public.

   Please contact me at the above address in writing to provide what permanent safe solution you will provide for both the failure of the GFI to function and the mitigation in the product design which allows live 120 VAC voltage direct access to people using the spa.

   Model

   ES2-PU1-GB

   Serial number

   E1302090

   Bought from

   Griffith Pools and Spas

   Bought

   Apr 1, 2013, about then

   Where

   Bowman, South Carolina: Unspecified

   Who was involved

   Age 62, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Dream Maker, made or sold by Dream Maker Spas

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Level of care not known

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources