Troubleshooting

Learn how to get the hottest temperature water out of your HOTTAP. 

Why doesn't my HOTTAP reach 50°C (122°F) 

Your HOTTAP can heat incoming water by up to 35°C (95°F), up to a max. temp. of 50°C (122°F).

This means that in winter (or with a cold water supply) your HOTTAP may only reach 35-45°C (95-113°F).

With the Water Dial on LOW and Gas Dial on HIGH, and:

• With 0°C (32°F) water coming into your HOTTAP, you will have ~35°C (95°F) coming out.
• With 10°C (50°F) water coming into your HOTTAP, you will have ~45°C (113°F) coming out.

Your HOTTAP is a portable water heater and will not reach the same water flow or temperature as a domestic water heater (e.g., your home shower).

Click here for a video on the troubleshooting steps. We've also got the steps below:

To get the highest temperature increase

To heat up your water by 35°C (95°F):

1. Adjust the Water Dial to LOW. 
2. Adjust the Gad Dial to HIGH. 

Re-circulating water

If you want hotter water coming out of your HOTTAP, or you want to have hot water at a higher flow, you can re-circulate your water. 

Note that you will need a pump to re-circulate your water.

1. Fill a container with water.
2. Place your pump's input hose into the container. 
3. Connect the pump's outlet hose into the HOTTAP. 
4. Place the HOTTAP shower head into the container. 
5. Run the HOTTAP until you reach your desired temperature. 
6. Remove the HOTTAP shower hose from the container and use as normal.

You can also use the Shower Base to recirculate the water. You can read more about it here.

Further adjusting the water flow rate

You can also adjust the flow rate of your HOTTAP internally, restricting water flow on the "low" flow setting, which will give you warmer temperatures. 

1. Looking at the bottom of your HOTTAP, identify the internal screw adjustment location as shown below. Adjust the LEFT side screw clockwise by one full turn.
2. Test your HOTTAPs temperature output on "low" flow. If you'd like it warmer, repeat step 1. If it's too warm, you can screw counter-clockwise. 

Note: If your HOTTAP does not have the cut-out at the bottom, you will need to take off the front panel of your HOTTAP to reach the screw. Reach out to our support team and they'll send over the instructions! 

Other troubleshooting

To make sure your HOTTAP is efficiently heating water, perform the troubleshooting steps below (These steps will also help if you're only reaching a temp lower than 49C/120F constantly):

• Disconnect your gas hose from your HOTTAP and look inside the Gas Inlet valve (on the HOTTAP). Remove any gunk (or bugs) that might be blocking the flow of gas.
• Video coming soon ⚠️

Learn how to get the coolest temperature water out of your HOTTAP. 

Why is my HOTTAP water so hot

Your HOTTAP will heat incoming water by a minimum of 20°C (68°F).

This means that in summer, when your water supply is already warm, your HOTTAP will produce very hot water.

With the Water Dial on HIGH and Gas Dial on LOW, and:

• With 20°C (68°F) water coming into your HOTTAP, you will have 40°C (104°F) coming out.
• With 30°C (86°F) water coming into your HOTTAP, you will have 50°C (122°F) coming out.

Your HOTTAP will turn off at 50°C (122°F) to prevent scalding.

To get the lowest temperature increase

Click here for a video on the troubleshooting steps. We've also got the steps below:

To heat up your water by 20°C (68°F):

1. Adjust the Water Dial to HIGH. 
2. Adjust the Gas Dial to LOW. 

Use HOTTAP without heat

If your HOTTAP is still over-heating after adjusting your Water and Gas Dials, or you want cooler water, you can disconnect the batteries and gas from your HOTTAP. 

1. Remove the batteries from your HOTTAP. 
2. Turn off your gas bottle.
3. Disconnect the gas hose from the HOTTAP. 
4. Use HOTTAP as normal. 

Your HOTTAP will still operate like a shower (turn the shower head on and off when using) - the only difference is that your water won't heat up.

Other troubleshooting

If your HOTTAP continues to overheat your water, try these steps:

• Use a cooler water source. If the water coming into your HOTTAP is already very warm, it will only get hotter. 
• Stop recirculating water. If you are trying to conserve water, and are re-using water between showers, you may need to wait for the water to cool down before showering again.
• If you have been using the HOTTAP for a while now, check for anything blocking (or slowing down) your water flow, as this will cause your water to constantly overheat. Steps below:
• Review the Joolca pump setup guide to make sure everything is set up correctly.

  Steps:

  1. Remove the red lugs.
  2. Charge the pump power supply to 100%.
  3. Clean out the filter.
  4. Tighten all water fittings.
  5. Clip water fittings on fully.
  6. Use a 2m hose for the inlet (max length).
  7. Use a 2m hose for the outlet.

  For further troubleshooting, please follow these steps.

• Make sure that you're suing a compatible pump that is plugged directly into the HOTTAP:

  • Your pump needs a water flow between 6-12 litres/min 
  • Your pump needs a water pressure between 40-60 PSI
  • Plug your pump directly into the HOTTAP (i.e., don't have any other appliances running off your pump)

  Read more here. 

  Next, perform these steps:  

  1. Charge the pump power supply to 100%.
  2. Clean out the filter.
  3. Tighten all water fittings.
  4. Clip water fittings on fully.