⚡ Balboa GS501Z PCB – Spa Control Circuit Board

Replacement circuit board for GS500Z and GS501Z control boxes – compatible with Spaform, Great Lakes, and similar systems.

📋 Product Overview

BALBOA GS501Z PCB is designed for use with the GS500Z and GS501Z control boxes, supporting pumps, blower, heater, ozone, light, and more. It is compatible with some VL range topside controls, such as VL200, VL240, and VL40* ranges.

This PCB is used as a replacement for an existing GS500Z or GS501Z control box with a PCB failure. This must not be fitted to any other device/product. This should be done by an experienced tradesman or a competent individual as a faulty install could result in board damage and invalidate the warranty.

⚠️ Important Information: The reference used now by Balboa is G1551 and replaces previous GS500Z & GS501Z Control Boxes and PCBs (54523, 54509, 54510, 54511, 54512, 55514).

✨ Key Features

✅ 230V 50Hz Operation – Designed for UK and European electrical systems

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

✅ Air Blower Output – Yes (optional)

✅ J17 Port – Air blower or single-speed pump (10A fuse protection)

✅ 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 – Simplified installation

✅ VL Panel Compatible – Works with VL200, VL240, VL40* range, VL404, MVP260

✅ Replaces Multiple Part Numbers – 54523, 54509, 54510, 54511, 54512, 55514

🔧 Technical Specifications

Specification	Value
Brand	Balboa
Model / Series	GS
Product Type	PCB
Current Reference	G1551
Input Voltage	230V
Frequency	50Hz
Pump 1	Single or dual-speed + circulation pump (if required)
Air Blower	Yes (optional)
J17 Port	Air blower or single-speed pump (10A fuse protection)
Heater Output	Yes
Ozone Output	Yes
Light Output	12V
Sensors	M7 x 2
Pressure Switch	No
Length	280 mm
Width	130 mm
Box Quantity	1 unit per box

🔗 Compatibility Guide

Compatible Control Boxes

Control Box	Compatibility
GS500Z	✅ Compatible
GS501Z	✅ Compatible

Replaces Part Numbers

Part Number	Status
54523	✅ Replaced by G1551
54509	✅ Replaced by G1551
54510	✅ Replaced by G1551
54511	✅ Replaced by G1551
54512	✅ Replaced by G1551
55514	✅ Replaced by G1551

Compatible Topside Panels

Panel	Compatibility
VL200	✅ Compatible
VL240	✅ Compatible
VL40* range	✅ Compatible
VL404	✅ Compatible
MVP260	✅ Compatible
Duplex VL range	✅ Compatible

Compatible Hot Tub Brands

Brand / Model	Compatibility
Spaform	✅ Compatible
Spaform Esperanto Range	✅ Compatible
Great Lakes GGS501 CE 53556	✅ Compatible (box code 53555-01)

⚙️ 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)

J17 Port Options

Option	Specification
Air Blower	Optional output
Single-Speed Pump	Alternative option
Fuse Protection	10A

Additional Outputs

Function	Specification
Air Blower	Yes (optional)
Heater	Yes
Ozone	Yes
Light	12V

Sensor System

Feature	Specification
Sensor Type	M7
Quantity	2
Pressure Switch	No

🛠️ Installation Requirements

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This should be done by an experienced tradesman or a competent individual as a faulty install could result in board damage and invalidate the warranty.

Pre-Installation Checklist

• [ ] Verify this is a GS500Z or GS501Z 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)

Electrical Requirements

Requirement	Specification
Supply Voltage	230V
Frequency	50Hz
J17 Fuse	10A
RCD Protection	Required (30mA recommended)
Earth Connection	Mandatory

⚠️ Safety Warnings

Electrical Safety

• ⚠️ ALWAYS disconnect power before any work
• ⚠️ Installation by experienced tradesman or competent individual required
• ⚠️ Ensure correct voltage supply (230V, 50Hz)
• ⚠️ Verify RCD protection is installed and functioning
• ⚠️ Never operate spa with covers removed from electrical components

Important Notes

• ⚠️ This PCB is for GS500Z and GS501Z control boxes only
• ⚠️ Must not be fitted to any other device/product
• ⚠️ Faulty install could result in board damage
• ⚠️ Faulty install will invalidate the warranty

🎯 Ideal Applications

Application	Suitability	Notes
♨️ Spaform Hot Tubs	✅ Compatible	GS500Z/GS501Z systems
♨️ Spaform Esperanto Range	✅ Compatible	GS500Z/GS501Z systems
♨️ Great Lakes GGS501 CE	✅ Compatible	Box code 53555-01

This board is designed for:

• Replacing faulty GS500Z or GS501Z circuit boards
• Systems using VL range topside controls
• Hot tubs requiring pump, blower, heater, ozone, and 12V lighting control

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if this board fits my spa? A: This board is designed for GS500Z and GS501Z control boxes, commonly found in Spaform, Spaform Esperanto Range, and Great Lakes spas.

Q: What is the current Balboa reference for this board? A: The reference used now by Balboa is G1551, which replaces previous GS500Z & GS501Z PCBs (54523, 54509, 54510, 54511, 54512, 55514).

Q: What topside panels work with this board? A: Compatible with VL range topside controls including VL200, VL240, VL40* range, VL404, and MVP260.

Q: Does this board have air blower output? A: Yes, optional air blower output is available via the J17 port (10A fuse protection). The J17 port can also be used for a single-speed pump instead.

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

Q: Can I install this myself? A: This should be done by an experienced tradesman or a competent individual. Faulty installation could result in board damage and invalidate the warranty.

Q: Does this replace the discontinued GS500Z PCB? A: Yes. The GS501Z PCB (G1551) replaces previous GS500Z and GS501Z boards.

• Tech Sheet

🏆 Why Choose the Balboa GS501Z PCB

• ✅ Balboa Quality – Trusted brand in spa control systems
• ✅ 230V 50Hz – Designed for UK electrical systems
• ✅ Current Reference G1551 – Latest Balboa replacement for GS500Z/GS501Z
• ✅ Flexible J17 Port – Air blower or single-speed pump option
• ✅ M7 Sensor System – No pressure switch required
• ✅ VL Panel Compatible – Works with multiple VL range topsides
• ✅ Multi-Part Replacement – Replaces 54523, 54509, 54510, 54511, 54512, 55514

🤝 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
• ✅ Compatible parts and accessories available
• ✅ Help with identifying correct replacement board

✨ Summary

The Balboa GS501Z PCB (current reference G1551) is a replacement circuit board for GS500Z and GS501Z control boxes. Operating at 230V 50Hz, this board supports Pump 1 (single or dual-speed with optional circulation pump), optional air blower or single-speed pump via J17 port (10A fuse protection), heater, ozone, and 12V lighting. Uses M7 sensors (x2) and does not require a pressure switch. Compatible with VL range topside controls including VL200, VL240, VL404, and MVP260. Commonly used with Spaform, Spaform Esperanto Range, and Great Lakes GGS501 CE spas. Replaces previous part numbers: 54523, 54509, 54510, 54511, 54512, 55514. Dimensions: 280mm × 130mm. Installation by an experienced tradesman or competent individual is required.

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.