If you're having issues with the operation of your HOTTAP V2 

If you're trying to use your HOTTAP V2 but it isn't turning on, isn't heating water or it's randomly turning off, find out what to do.

If you have your HOTTAP V2 set up correctly, and it isn't turning on or staying on, you can use the Help Monitor to troubleshoot common issues.    Quick Tip! 75% of troubleshooting issues boil down to: ∙ Low batteries Try a new set! ∙ Inadequate water supply Test using council mains water supply! ∙ No gas flow Purge the gas line!

Watch the HOTTAP V2 Essentials - Overview & Set up Guide to confirm that you're set up correctly.

Help Monitor

The HOTTAP V2 is equiped with a Help Monitor that can diagnose the following issues:

To diagnose an issue, simply press and hold the blue 'JOOLCA' button. If an icon lights up, there is an issue. 

Which of the following icons are you seeing?

• Low battery
• No water flow
• Flame not lit
• Overheating safety cutout
• I'm not seeing an icon

Note: While troubleshooting each icon, make sure to check if any other icons also light up. If you have multiple icons make sure to prioritise (1) Low battery then (2) No water flow and finally (3) Flame not lit.

Batteries

• The HOTTAP V2 requires 2x D-cell batteries to operate.
• A brand new D-cell battery will have a charge of 1.5V. So, 2x D-cell batteries will supply 3.0V.
• The HOTTAP V2 will not turn on if the total voltage is below 2.2V.

As you use the HOTTAP V2, the voltage across the batteries will drop. Once the total voltage across the batteries drops below 2.2V, the HOTTAP V2 will not have enough power to turn on and heat water. 

Note: At below 2.2V, the HOTTAP V2 Help Monitor may still light up and you may hear the piezo 'click-click-clicking', but the unit will not turn on. 

Low battery Icon

What it means

The ‘Low battery’ icon means that there is not enough voltage across the batteries to turn the unit on.

How it triggers

The low battery icon will trigger when the battery voltage is lower than 2.2V.

How to diagnose

You need to press and hold the blue 'JOOLCA' button to troubleshoot this icon. This icon will not turn on by itself.

How to fix this

Install a fresh set of batteries. Be sure to check the expiry date at the store as sometimes batteries may sit on the shelf for a while, and become expired. 

Water

• On the LOW water setting, the HOTTAP V2 needs a minimum of 4LPM at 7PSI to turn on.
• On the MAX water setting , the HOTTAP V2 needs a minimum of 6LPM at 15PSI to turn on.
• The HOTTAP V2 has a water reducing valve that limits any water flow above 6LPM down to a maximum of 6LPM.

As you increase the water dial from LOW to MAX, the HOTTAP V2 expects more water. This is why your HOTTAP V2 may turn on with the LOW water setting, and then turn off as you increase towards the MAX water setting. 

Note: The HOTTAP V2 needs a consistant water supply. I.e. the water flow and water pressure do not drop when the tap is opened. 

No water flow

What it means

The ‘No water flow’ icon means that there is not enough water flow in the unit to turn it on.

How it triggers

This icon will trigger when there is not enough water flow to turn the unit on. This means that it will trigger even when there is no water flowing through the unit.

How to diagnose

You need to press and hold the blue 'JOOLCA' button to troubleshoot this icon. This icon will not turn on by itself.

How to fix this

The best way to troubleshoot your HOTTAP V2 is while using a council mains supply. Council mains is regulated and will always meet the minimum requirement of the HOTTAP V2, to operate across the full water setting range. 

If your HOTTAP V2 works fine using a council mains supply, you can work backwards to determine the source of your original water supply. 

Using mains water

• Make sure the supply tap is opened 1-2 full turns.

• Unplug the water supply hose (that connects to the HOTTAP V2) and remove the blue water fitting. Check inside the water valve for a build up of gunk (there is a small mesh screen that will catch gunk). Clean it out.

Using a pump

• If you're using a Joolca FLOTAP Pump, make sure the red lugs are removed from the inlet and outlet fittings.
• Make sure you are using a pump that can supply 6-12LPM and 40-60PSI
• Tighten all fittings and connections to make sure there are no water or air leaks.
• Make sure the power supply, for your pump, is at 100% charge. If your power supply is too low, it will result in your pump operating at reduced flow and pressure.
• Unplug the water supply hose, that connects to the HOTTAP V2, and remove the blue water fitting. Check inside the water valve for a build up of gunk (there is a small mesh screen that will catch gunk). Clean it out.
• Inspect your pump's filter for any gunk or blockages. Clean it out.

Using a bilge pump

A bilge pump normally supplies multiple outlets and has a very low water flow (LPM) at a very high pressure (PSI).

We do not recommend using a bilge pump with the HOTTAP V2 as the water supply is not always consistant.

If you are using a bilge pump, please test your HOTTAP V2 using council mains, or a suitable pump. 

Using a header tank

A header tank normally supplies multiple outlets and creates pressure by elevating water. This pressure varies with the water level within the tank and the thickness and amount of bends or angles in the water pipes.

We do not recommend using a header tank with the HOTTAP V2 as the water supply is not always consistant.

If you are using a header tank, please test your HOTTAP V2 using council mains, or a suitable pump. 

Gas

• The HOTTAP V2 needs a stable supply of gas to operate (i.e. to heat water).
• Recommend at least 50% full gas bottle.

Flame not lit

What it means

The ‘Flame not lit’ icon means that there is no flame present. This can either mean that there is no gas flowing into the unit, or that wind has blown the flame out, or that the HOTTAP V2 has reached its safety temperature cutout.  

How it triggers

This icon will trigger when the Flame Sensor does not register a flame.

How to troubleshoot

You do not need to press and hold the blue 'JOOLCA' button to troubleshoot this icon. This icon will turn on by itself.

How to fix this

My HOTTAP V2 is not turning on at all

The HOTTAP V2 will initially try to ignite for 5 seconds, and if it does not ignite the 'Flame not lit' icon will turn on.

This issue is related to gas supply.

• Make sure that your gas bottle is at least 50% full.
• Make sure your gas bottle is open 2 full turns.
• Make sure you are using the supplied gas hose and regulator directly with a compatible BBQ gas bottle (i.e. do not use adaptors with a smaller size gas canister).
• Remove the gas hose from the HOTTAP V2 unit and check inside the gas valve for a build up of gunk. Clean it out.
• If the above do not work, there may be an air-lock in the gas lines. To purge out the air, have your gas bottle 'Open' and disconnect the gas hose from the gas inlet. A little bit of gas will leak out as you disconnect but then it will stop flowing because the gas Quick Connect Fitting has a stop-valve fitted. Wait a few seconds and connect it again. 

My HOTTAP V2 is on, but it turns off at random intervals

If the HOTTAP V2 is on and then turns off at random intervals (i.e. 30 second, 2 minutes then 1 minute), the 'Flame not lit' icon will also turn on. 

If the HOTTAP V2 is turning off when it gets above 50°C/ 120°F, please refer to Overheating safety cutout.

Otherwise, the issue could be related to wind. 

The HOTTAP V2 has a Flame Sensor and, as a safety feature, is designed to shut off gas supply when it notices there is no flame. Sometimes wind can push the flame away from the Flame Sensor, or it can stretch the flame upwards - in both cases making the HOTTAP V2 think there is no flame. 

There are a few things we can do to remedy this: 

• Relocate the HOTTAP V2 out of the line of wind. Even a short burst of wind can move the flame away for long enough to initiate the safety shut off.
• Blocking the side ventilation holes can help to reduce the wind effects. We have tested the unit and it does not hinder the performance in any way by blocking this vents totally (we used aluminium tape).

Overtemperature Sensor

• The HOTTAP V2 will turn off once the water temperature gets above 50°C/ 120°F.
• This is a safety feature to prevent scalding.

When the HOTTAP V2 overheats and shuts down you will need to stop, and then restart the flow, to turn it back on again. If your HOTTAP V2 doesn't turn on you will need to let it cool down for 15-30 seconds. 

Overheating safety cutout

What it means

The ‘Overheating safety cutout’ icon means that the water temperature got above 50°C/ 120°F and the unit turned off (safety function).

How it triggers

This icon will trigger when the Overtemperature Sensor reads a temperature above 50°C/ 120°F.

How to troubleshoot

You do not need to press and hold the blue 'JOOLCA' button to troubleshoot this icon. This icon will turn on by itself.

How to fix this

If your HOTTAP V2 keeps shutting off due to exceeding 50°C/120°F then:

• Adjust your Gas (red dial) towards MIN. This will reduce the amount of gas, and lessen the heat. 
• Adjust your Water (blue dial) towards MAX. This will speed up the water, meaning it spends less time collecting heat. 
• If the above do not help, you may have a slight blockage in your water supply. Run through these steps to check your water supply. 

At a minimum, HOTTAP V2 will heat up your supply water by 20°C/ 68°F. So, if your supply water is already above 30°C/ 86°F, HOTTAP V2 will heat it above 50°C/120°F - and shut down.

• In this case you can remove the D-cell batteries and run the HOTTAP V2 without  it turning on. You will still get the regular shower experience, without from the heat!

No Icon

• If your Help Monitor is on and HOTTAP V2 is heating up water, and no icon lights up, this means you have no issues. 
• If your Help Monitor is not on and HOTTAP V2 is not heating up water, and no icon lights up, this means you have no power. 

Note: If your HOTTAP V2 is operating as normal (i.e. turning on and heating up water) then you will not get any icons on the Help Monitor. 

I'm not seeing an icon

What it means

If your HOTTAP V2 is not heating up water, and you have no icons, this means you have no power. I.e. your D-cell batteries are flat. 

How it triggers

Nothing will trigger. 

How to troubleshoot

If your HOTTAP V2 is not heating up water, and you have no icons, this means you have no power. 

How to fix this

Install a fresh set of batteries. Any brand. Be sure to check the expiry date at the store as sometimes batteries may sit on the shelf for a while, and become expired.