Balboa ML550 Long Touch Panel: Elevate Your Hot Tub Experience

Introduction

As a dedicated hot tub enthusiast and spare parts supplier, I’m excited to introduce you to the Balboa ML550 Long Touch Panel. This state-of-the-art control system is designed to enhance your hot tub experience, providing intuitive control and seamless operation for your relaxation needs.

Product Overview

The Balboa ML550 Long Touch Panel is a sophisticated topside control unit compatible with GL2000 and GL8000 systems. It’s particularly well-suited for Clearwater hot tubs and similar models, offering a perfect blend of functionality and user-friendliness.

Key Features

Intuitive Touch Control

The ML550 features a responsive touch interface with clearly labeled buttons for easy operation, even with wet hands. The button configuration includes:

• COOL and WARM for temperature adjustment
• JETS 1 and JETS 2 for controlling primary water pumps
• BLOWER/JETS 3 (versatile button for either a 3rd pump or blower)
• LIGHT for ambiance control
• MODE for switching between different operational settings

Clear Display

The panel boasts a serial standard style screen with four large digits arranged in a horizontal line, ensuring excellent visibility in various lighting conditions.

Versatile Compatibility

This control panel is designed to work seamlessly with GL2000 and GL8000 systems, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of hot tub models, including popular Clearwater tubs.

Easy Installation

With its 8-pin connection (arranged in two rows of 4), the ML550 is straightforward to install, whether you’re replacing an old panel or upgrading your current system.

Why Choose the Balboa ML550?

1. Reliability: Balboa is a trusted name in hot tub controls, known for producing durable and long-lasting products.
2. User-Friendly Design: The intuitive layout and touch controls make managing your hot tub a breeze.
3. Versatility: Whether you have a 2-pump system with a blower or a 3-pump configuration, this panel has you covered.
4. Clear Information: The large digit display ensures you can easily read temperature and status information at a glance.
5. Sleek Aesthetics: With its modern design, the ML550 will complement the look of any hot tub installation.

Installation and Compatibility

The ML550 is designed for easy integration with existing Balboa systems. Its standard connection type means it’s likely to be compatible with many hot tub models beyond just Clearwater. However, I always recommend double-checking your specific model’s requirements before purchase.

Specifications Table

Feature	Specification
Product Type	Topside control panel
Manufacturer	Balboa
Power	12V
Compatible Systems	GL2000, GL8000
Button Configuration	7 buttons (COOL, WARM, JETS 1, JETS 2, BLOWER/JETS 3, LIGHT, MODE)
Connection Type	8 small plastic pins (2 rows of 4)
Display	Serial Standard style, 4 large digits in horizontal line
Length	348 mm
Height	64 mm
Included Accessories	Overlay

Documentation

• Cutout template
• balboa user guide

Maintenance and Care

To ensure the longevity of your Balboa ML550 Long Touch Panel, I recommend regular cleaning with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the touch-sensitive surface. Always ensure the panel is properly sealed to protect against moisture ingress.

Conclusion

The Balboa ML550 Long Touch Panel is more than just a control system; it’s an upgrade to your entire hot tub experience. With its user-friendly interface, versatile functionality, and reliable performance, it’s an excellent choice for hot tub owners looking to enhance their relaxation time.

Upgrade your hot tub control system today and discover the difference that intuitive, responsive controls can make to your spa experience!

Balboa BP Spa Packs

If you have a “BP” spa pack, you will find the name and model on the label, then you can use any of the “TP” range of topside controls, TP400, TP600 etc etc.

 

You can also use any of the “Spa Touch” graphical controllers on your Spa Pack. Spa Touch comes in versions 1-3 with 4 to be released very soon as well as the new “mini”.

 

The BP Spa Pack made things nice and easy so when you are replacing your topside control with one of these, it is straight forward enough.

 

Balboa VS & GS Spa Packs.

 

If you have an older hot tub that you are keeping alive with new parts, then the chances are you have an older spa pack in there too. This is where it gets a little more complicated in terms of compatibility.

 

Two of the popular models are the VS which stands for Value Series and was supplied to a lot of OEMs (manufacturers for hot tubs) to go into their tubs. Likewise, the GS (global series) was the same. Lots of different rebranded options, different names, but at the heart of things are these two packs.

 

What is key on these two models, is the combination of letters and numbers that make up the model number on the Spa Pack.

 

The VL range of topside controls was designed for both of these spa pack ranges; however, there are some “rules” we need to abide by in terms of compatibility.

 

VL Panels ending in D work with VS/GS systems ending in DZ

VL Panels ending in S work with VS/GS systems ending in SZ

The rest of the VL Panels work with VS/GS systems ending in Z (not SZ or DZ)

 

For example, a Spa Pack model VS501SZ would work nicely with a Topside that is model VL620S. However, that same topside control would not work with a spa pack model VS501Z. The connections are the same, it would plug in, but would not respond at all.

 

Another example, a Balboa GS500Z spa pack would work with the VL406T or the VL401 but would not work with the VL702S.

 

You get the patters. Topside ends in S or D, matches to Spa Pack ending in SZ (for S) or DZ (for D).

 

 

Balboa EL & GL Spa Packs

 

Before the birth of the BP range, the EL and GL Spa Packs did have some level of standardisation in terms of the topside controls.

 

All of the “ML” range of Balboa Topside Controls are designed to work with the EL and GL range of spa packs. They actually look very similar to the TP range, they just have a different type of connection to plug into the Spa Pack.