Top Side Controls – The Problems and Things to Do
                       Top Side Controls – The Problems and Things to Do
The topside control panel of 
the spa is used on hot tubs, 
portable spas, jetted tubs. 
Almost every spa uses a 
display panel to allow the 
users to control the 
functions of a typical spa 
easily that include pumps, 
heater, blower and lights.
And that is all the Balboa 
topside controls is a control 
panel that acts just like a 
remote control for your hot 
tub, wired into your spa 
controller, which is a brain 
of the spa system. The 
Balboa top side controls 
panel is a convenient way 
to turn things on and off 
and view equipment status 
lights and water 
temperature.
Balboa top side controls typically consist of a small LCD or LED screen, touch 
pad membranes and LED indicator lights that are topped with a pretty 
overlay. Balboa top side controls can either be digital, analog or a 
combination of both. These are made for air control systems as well as digital 
control systems for spas.
Top side controls work with a particular spa system control boards only. Top 
side controls work only with a particular make and model of the spa control 
for which they were designed. Talking more specifically, many top side 
controls work only with the circuit boards that possess a particular chip 
version that is printed on the spa control circuit board main chip label. 
However, top side control panels aren’t easy 
to test. The best way to check if a top side 
control is bad or not, is to plug in another 
one and see if it works or not. How to reduce 
the risk on the spa owner? Let’s have a look:
Problem: There is no display on top side 
control panel
•Things You Need to Do:
•Reset the spa controller, power down and 
restart
•Check if there is condensation under the 
display glass
•Verify if the cable is compressed or any 
other visible damage is there or not
•Clean both ends of the plug-in cable 
connections
•Verify the power at the transformer on 
control circuit board
•Check power at fuse on spa control circuit 
board
•Verify if the top side control number is 
working with the spa control chip version
•Examine the circuit board for any damage 
and rectify the power output
•Replace the Balboa top side controls
Problem: Incorrect Display on the 
Spa Control Panel 
Things You Need to Do:
•The problem is indicated by error 
messages or error codes
•If there is flickering display it 
indicates low voltage from the 
transformer
•If partial display is the issue then 
there might be dirty contacts or 
moisture
•Lights flashing or blinking occurs 
when a system reset is required
•Make sure to check that the topside 
control number is working correctly 
with the spa control chip version
•Inspect the circuit board for any 
damage and appropriate power 
output
•If nothing works, replace the top 
side controls
Problem: The Spa side control panel 
buttons aren’t working properly
Things You Need to Do:
•Take a look if there is moisture under 
glass or on contacts
•Verify if the cable is in good condition and 
free from rodent damage, crimps or 
melting
•Make sure to clean the plug-in cable 
connections at both ends
•Check the membrane or touch pad buttons 
are working properly or not
•Examine the circuit board for damage and 
appropriate power output
•Finally, if nothing works replace the top 
side controls
Conclusion:
Northern Lights Hot Tub Parts offers Balboa 
top side controls. To know more visit 
https://www.cedartubsdirect.com/balboa-t
op-side-controls-c-115_118.html
Contact Us
Northern Lights Cedar Tubs & Saunas
305 Mckay Ave. Unit #20
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2G 0N5
Ph: 800 759 8990
https://www.cedartubsdirect.com/