The heated seat and back pads are thin surface heaters that bond directly to the outside of the acrylic shell with spray contact adhesive. Peel the brown backing paper off each pad, spray 3M Hi-Strength 90 contact adhesive on both the pad and the tub surface, wait a few minutes, then press the pad on and hold it until the glue starts to dry. Pay special attention to the corners and edges, because a pad that is loose at an edge will slowly peel away. On the common three pad layout, the larger pad goes horizontally across the top of the tub above the air lines and the smaller pads go beside the water jets.

What Arrives with the Parts

The heated seat and back parts include the heater pads, a control box that mounts to the tub frame, and the push button that goes on the front of the tub. You will need to supply the spray adhesive. The team uses 3M Hi-Strength 90 contact adhesive, and one can usually lasts for four or five tubs, so a single can covers your installation with plenty to spare. If you are replacing pads on an existing tub, the wiring side is covered in the heated seat and back schematic explanation.

Attaching the Pads

1. Clean the outside of the tub where the pads will sit so the adhesive bonds to bare acrylic.
2. Peel the brown backing paper off the sticky side of each heater pad.
3. Spray the adhesive generously on the tub where the pad will attach, and spray the pad itself. Make sure the spots where the corners and edges will land are fully coated.
4. Wait a few minutes for the adhesive to become tacky.
5. Press the pad onto the tub and massage it into the surface, working from the middle out. Hold it in place until the glue starts to dry.
6. Check every corner and edge and press again anywhere the pad is not firm against the tub.

Corners and edges matter more than anything else in this job. If an edge is not securely attached, it starts to lift, and each time it lifts it pulls a little more of the pad away from the tub.

Where the Pads Go

Pad placement depends on the parts supplied for your model, and the team can send pictures showing exactly where the pads and the button go on your tub. Two layouts are common.

• Three pad layout. Attach the larger pad horizontally across the top of the tub above the air lines. Attach the two smaller pads at an angle on the outside of the water jets so the three pads form a downward pointing triangle.
• M shaped back pad layout. Before attaching the M shaped back heater pad, put a strip of tape on the rear lip of the tub to protect it, especially if that lip will be visible after installation. Ask the team for placement photos for this layout so the pad sits where it belongs.

Mounting the Control Box and Button

1. Mount the control box to the tub frame and plug the pad leads and the button lead into it.
2. Use a hole saw to drill a 1 1/2 inch hole for the button in the access panel, or in the apron on Transfer tubs.
3. Peel the sticker off the back of the button, apply a small bead of silicone, and press the button into the hole.
4. Have a licensed electrician make the final power connection. The soaking version of this setup is described in the soaking plus heated seat schematic article.

Once everything is connected, power the tub and press the button to confirm the pads warm evenly. If they do not, why the heated seat is not working lists the checks to run before requesting a part.

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.