💡 Balboa GS500Z PCB – Spa Control Circuit Board

Replacement circuit board for GS500Z and GS500 control boxes – commonly used with QCA Spas, Splash Spas, and similar systems.

⚠️ DISCONTINUED PRODUCT

This product is no longer manufactured by Balboa. When stock runs out, you can either replace the PCB with a GS501Z PCB or upgrade to a new pack (control box + topside).

📋 Product Overview

Balboa GS500Z PCB is a replacement circuit board designed for the GS500Z and GS500 control boxes. It supports various spa components and is commonly used with QCA Spas, Splash Spas, and similar systems.

This board supports a single or dual-speed pump with optional circulation pump, heater, ozone, and 12V lighting. It uses M7 sensors and does not require a pressure switch.

✨ Key Features

✅ GS500Z/GS500 Compatible – Designed for GS500Z and GS500 control boxes

✅ Pump 1 Support – Single or dual-speed with optional circulation pump

✅ Built-in Heater Control – Integrated heater management

✅ Ozone Ready – Ozone generator output included

✅ 12V Lighting – 12V spa light output

✅ M7 Sensor System – M7 sensors (x2)

✅ No Pressure Switch Required – Pressure switch not included

✅ VL Panel Compatible – Works with Duplex VL range topside controls

✅ Multi-Brand Compatible – QCA Spas, Splash Spas, and others

🔧 Technical Specifications

Specification	Value
Brand	Balboa
Model / Series	GS
Product Type	PCB
Pump 1	Single or dual-speed (with optional circulation pump)
Pump 2	N/A
Pump 3	N/A
Air Blower	No
Heater Output	Yes
Ozone Output	Yes
Light Output	12V
Sensors	M7 (x2)
Pressure Switch	Not included
Length	280 mm
Width	130 mm

🔗 Compatibility Guide

Compatible Control Boxes

Control Box	Compatibility
GS500Z	✅ Compatible
GS500	✅ Compatible

Compatible Topside Panels

Panel	Compatibility
Duplex VL range	✅ Compatible
VL404	✅ Compatible
MVP260	✅ Compatible
Mini Panel VL200	✅ Commonly used

Compatible Hot Tub Brands

Brand	Compatibility
QCA Spas	✅ Compatible
Splash Spas	✅ Compatible
Similar systems	✅ Compatible

⚙️ Board Functions & Controls

Pump Control

Output	Function	Configuration
Pump 1	Main jet pump	Single or dual-speed
Circulation Pump	24hr circulation	Optional (with Pump 1)
Pump 2	N/A	Not available
Pump 3	N/A	Not available

Additional Outputs

Function	Specification
Air Blower	No
Heater	Yes
Ozone	Yes
Light	12V

Sensor System

Feature	Specification
Sensor Type	M7
Quantity	2
Pressure Switch	Not included

🛠️ Installation Requirements

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Installation should be carried out by a competent individual or qualified electrician.

Pre-Installation Checklist

• [ ] Verify this is a GS500Z or GS500 control box
• [ ] Disconnect all power at the isolator/breaker
• [ ] Photograph existing wiring connections
• [ ] Note existing DIP switch settings
• [ ] Allow capacitors to discharge (wait 5 minutes minimum)

⚠️ Safety Warnings

Electrical Safety

• ⚠️ ALWAYS disconnect power before any work
• ⚠️ Installation by qualified electrician recommended
• ⚠️ Verify RCD protection is installed and functioning
• ⚠️ Never operate spa with covers removed from electrical components

Important Notes

• ⚠️ This PCB is for GS500Z and GS500 control boxes only
• ⚠️ DISCONTINUED – Consider GS501Z PCB or new pack as alternative
• ⚠️ Incorrect installation may void warranty

🔄 Discontinuation Notice & Alternatives

⚠️ This product is no longer manufactured by Balboa.

When stock runs out, consider the following options:

Alternative	Description
GS501Z PCB	Direct PCB replacement option
New Pack	Complete control box + topside upgrade

Contact Parts4Tubs for advice on the best replacement option for your spa.

🎯 Ideal Applications

Application	Suitability	Notes
♨️ QCA Spas	✅ Compatible	GS500Z/GS500 systems
♨️ Splash Spas	✅ Compatible	GS500Z/GS500 systems
♨️ Similar systems	✅ Compatible	GS500Z/GS500 control boxes

This board is designed for:

• Replacing faulty GS500Z or GS500 circuit boards
• Single pump spa systems with optional circulation pump
• Systems using Duplex VL range topside controls

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if this board fits my spa? A: This board is designed for GS500Z and GS500 control boxes, commonly found in QCA Spas, Splash Spas, and similar systems.

Q: Is this product still being manufactured? A: No. This product is discontinued by Balboa. When stock runs out, consider a GS501Z PCB or a new control box + topside pack.

Q: What topside panels work with this board? A: Compatible with Duplex VL range including VL404, MVP260, and commonly used with Mini Panel VL200.

Q: Does this board support multiple pumps? A: This board supports Pump 1 only (single or dual-speed with optional circulation pump). Pump 2 and Pump 3 are not available.

Q: Does this board have air blower output? A: No, this board does not have air blower output.

Q: What sensors does this board use? A: The board uses M7 sensors (x2) and does not require a pressure switch.

Q: What is the recommended alternative when stock runs out? A: You can either replace the PCB with a GS501Z PCB or upgrade to a new pack (control box + topside).

🏆 Why Choose the Balboa GS500Z PCB

• ✅ Balboa Quality – Trusted brand in spa control systems
• ✅ Direct Replacement – For GS500Z and GS500 control boxes
• ✅ M7 Sensor System – No pressure switch required
• ✅ VL Panel Compatible – Works with Duplex VL range topsides
• ✅ Multi-Brand Compatible – QCA Spas, Splash Spas, and others

🤝 Why Buy From Parts4Tubs

• ✅ UK-based company with local support
• ✅ Fast UK delivery
• ✅ Expert technical advice from spa specialists
• ✅ Competitive pricing
• ✅ Full warranty support
• ✅ Easy returns within 30 days
• ✅ Alternative options available (GS501Z, new packs)
• ✅ Help with identifying correct replacement board

✨ Summary

The Balboa GS500Z PCB is a replacement circuit board for GS500Z and GS500 control boxes, commonly used with QCA Spas, Splash Spas, and similar systems. Note: This product is discontinued by Balboa. This board supports Pump 1 (single or dual-speed with optional circulation pump), heater, ozone, and 12V lighting. Uses M7 sensors (x2) and does not require a pressure switch. Compatible with Duplex VL range topside controls including VL404, MVP260, and Mini Panel VL200. Dimensions: 280mm × 130mm. When stock runs out, alternatives include GS501Z PCB or a new control box + topside pack. Installation by a qualified electrician is recommended.

Finding and identifying a replacement Hot Tub Circuit Board (PCB)

If you are looking to replace a failed PCB on your Hot Tub’s spa pack, then quite often identifying the part that you need can be the hardest thing.

Firstly, you are looking for a model number on the actual circuit board itself. Having the model or serial of your hot tub is not going to help at this point, you need to find the number on the PCB itself.

Now, with certain brands of PCB, the number of the replacement PCB that you need is not going to match identically the one you are replacing. Why is that I hear you ask?

Well, normally, it is an updated version. This means that it might have updated firmware on the PCB or be a later revision. Normally, this means that the part number would be slightly different. This is usually indicated with a “12345678 -x” at the end of that part number where x indicated a firmware revision.

In some cases, there will be some following letters on the part number of the circuit board, “12345678 -x MAS” this can indicate that the PCB was used for an OEM meaning it was produced for a certain hot tub manufacturer and the letters identify the manufacturer.

This means if you source an original PCB, it will not have the letters, but will in most cases work just fine.

It can be confusing I know!

What if you can’t find a model number?

If you can’t find a model number on the PCB itself, then you need to look for a model number on the spa pack. Normally, there is a sticker on the outside of the spa pack that tells you the current ratings and input voltages etc and this will have a model number.

In general, most spa packs in the USA are manufactured by Balboa, Hydro-Quip, ACC or Gecko. I know I am generalising here, but if you have a spa pack that has the brand of your hot tub on, it will be an OEM so the key is identifying who made the original box.

From there, you can normally find an original PCB that you will be able to switch out.

For example, the Balboa VS (value series) is a very popular spa pack that has been used by multiple hot tub manufacturers under their own brand names. Whatever they have called it, strip it back and it is still a Balboa VS.

Visual Inspection

One of the most important things you can do when you are looking for a replacement is to visually inspect the PCB that you have versus the picture online of the replacement you are considering. They need to look the same even if there are the differences in firmware revisions or OEM part numbers, you should be visually replacing a PCB that looks like the one you have.

Configuring a replacement Hot Tub Circuit Board (PCB)

When you get a new PCB, you are more than likely going to need to configure it. Most PCBs have a number of different modes and setups that the can operate in. For this, you will need to manual or spec sheet to guide you.

For things like DIP switches, most of the time you can copy the settings from your original circuit board.

You may need to move jumpers or even wires to configure voltages – the key here is that you read the schematic and don’t expect the PCB to just work out of the box – it usually doesn’t.

Troubleshooting a Hot Tub Circuit Board (PCB)

Here are some common things you will see when you replace a PCB on a hot tub.

You press the buttons on the topside control and they don’t control the right parts (pumps or blower etc) – this is a mode configuration thing and you will either need to change some DIP switches on the PCB or an internal or low level programming mode on the topside control. Check the manual for how to do this.

To check this, unplug all of your kit – heater, pumps, blower and then turn on the PCB. If it trips with nothing plugged in, usually the voltage is incorrectly set and what is happening is that live current is being sent to the ground – because you have 4 wires into the PCB rather than 3. Current on the ground loop causes the trip. Check the settings to make sure it is configures for 230V.

It might not trip until you physically turn on a pump or a blower.