Balboa BP Spa Packs and TP Topsides Explained - A Spa Technician's Guide

Introduction

Whether you’re a spa technician, installer, or a hot tub owner exploring upgrade options, understanding your spa’s control system is key to keeping things running smoothly from the get-go. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Balboa Water Group, industry leaders in spa electronics, for an in-depth look at their flagship BP Spa Pack and TP Topside Controller ranges.

In this article, and the accompanying video, we’ll cover how these systems work together, what makes them a favourite of so many spa-technicians, and which models are suitable for different systems. From first-time setups to complex multi-pump configurations, this is your go-to starting point for Balboa’s latest generation of controls.

What are Topside Controls and Spa Packs

The simplest way to think about topsides and spa packs is to think about the spa pack as the brains and muscle of the system, it does the thinking, then the doing; the topside control is the interface, where the user interacts with the hot tub.

Spa Packs manage the inner workings: pumps, heaters, blowers, lights, sensors. They handle power distribution, timing, temperature control, and safety functions.
Topsides are the panels you see and use–mounted on the spa shell. These let users adjust the temperature, set filtration cycles, or activate massage features with the press of a button.

Together, they form the core of any modern hot tub’s operating system.

Whether you’re repairing, upgrading, retrofitting, or planning a new build, knowing how these components interact is essential for smooth installs and reliable long-term performance.

Balboa Spa Pack

What is the TP and BP range?

Balboa’s BP and TP ranges work together to deliver a flexible, reliable, and future-ready control system for hot tubs. Whether you’re retrofitting, upgrading, or specifying a new install, understanding these product lines makes configuration, support, and service far easier.

TP (Topside Panels): This range includes everything from compact panels for simple setups (TP200), to hybrid button/touchscreen crossovers (TP700), and full touch interfaces like the SpaTouch series.
BP (Spa Packs): These are the brains of the system. From the space-saving BP200 to the powerful BP21000 and versatile BP8, this range can support everything from circulation-only systems to multi-pump high-end builds, such as a luxury hot tubs and swim spas.

Below, we break each series down—including key features, ideal use cases, and what makes each option stand out.

The TP Range

Balboa’s TP topside panels are designed to provide flexible, intuitive control from a wide range of spa configurations. Whether you need something compact and simple or something more powerful and versatile, the TP lineup has a panel to match.

We’ll walk through each model range—from the entry level TP200 up to the touchscreen SpaTouch series—and break down what makes them a good fit.

TP200 Series – Compact Simplicity

To TP200 is a small, cost-effective panel ideal for spas with basic control needs. It’s designed for single- or dual-pump systems and comes in two variants.

TP200W – for 1-pump systems.
TP200T – for 2-pump systems.

Because of its compact design, the TP200 is a popular choice for tight spaces or smaller tubs. It’s easy to install and pairs well with spa packs like the BP200, making it a solid entry-level option.

TP500 Series – User-Friendly with Menu Access

TP500 Topside TP540 Topside TP500S Topside

The TP500 series introduces and important upgrade: a menu (hamburger) button, making it easier for users to access and adjust settings like filtration cycles and temperature modes.

Look for the three-line menu icon—this is the hallmark of the 500 series and makes navigation simpler compared to function-only panels.

Models in this range include:

TP500 – (Warm, Cool, Jets, Lights, Aux, Menu)
TP500S – (Warm, Cool, Jets, Lights, Aux, Menu)
TP540 – (Warm, Cool, Jets, Lights, Aux, Menu)

A strong mid-range choice for spas that benefit from easier setup and access to additional settings.

TP600 Series – Versatile and Retrofit-Ready

TP600 Topside

The TP600 series builds on the 500 series by offering a more adaptable button layout with options that can be selected based on the components and configuration of your spa system.

Notable for:

Supporting a wide range of spa setups.
Sharing the size and shape of the popular VL600 and TP500S making it ideal for retrofits.

For technicians, this is a go-to panel for van stock—highly compatible and reliable across many spas found in the field.

TP700 Series – Tactile Control Meets Smart UI

TP700

The TP700 sits between traditional button panels and full touchscreen models, it includes:

A SpaTouch Mini-style display for intuitive feedback, navigation, and dynamic configuration support.
Physical buttons, including direction buttons for menu access and direct, tactile control.

This makes it a great hybrid option for users who want a smarter UI without going full touchscreen. With newer models like the TP740, the range also support SpaTouch-style cutouts, making swaps easier during upgrades.

SpaTouch Series – Full Touchscreen Control

SpaTouch Range

The SpaTouch series brings full touchscreen control to Balboa’s BP systems.

Intuitive menu and config setting interface.
Full fault-log history support.

The SpaTouch Mini also functions well as a secondary auxiliar panel—ideal for dual control setups on opposite sides of the tub.

Bonus Tip: SpaTouches are also a fantastic diagnostic tool for technicians, plugging directly into a BP spa pack system and allowing troubleshooting through direct spa pack settings control and fault log access. We recommend all spa technicians keep one on hand for universal control over BP spa packs.

The BP Range

Balboa’s BP spa pack range forms the control centre of the spa. These packs manage everything from pumps and eaters to lights, blowers, and Bluetooth modules. Each pack in the range supports a different set of configurations—some suited for compact spas, others built with high end multi-pump systems in mind.

Below we’ll run through the key models and what makes each one unique.

BP200 – Compact, Configurable, and Cost-Effective

The BP200 is the most compact pack in the range, making it ideal for installations with tight space constraints. It’s available in two formats.

Integrated heater (control box + heater)
Remote heater option.

Key Strengths

Ideal for small spas and retrofits where space is limited.
Supports 7 different configurations, including circulation-only (unique amongst the BP range)

Limitations

Doesn’t currently support the Clim8zone or auxiliary panels.
Fewer relays = limited multi-pump support

For smaller installations, the BP200 is a smart, lightweight, and budget-friendly choice—especially when paired with compact topsides like the TP200 or SpaTouch Mini.

BP6013 Series – The Workhorse of the Range

The BP6013 series consists of three main models:

BP601G1 – 2 pump setups
BP601G2 – 3 pumps setups
BP601G3 – 3 pumps + blower

Why it’s popular

Covers most spa configurations on the market.
Compatible with auxiliary panels and Clim8zone.
Reliable and widely supported.

For most standard and mid-range hot tub setups the BO6013 series is the backbone of the BP line, balancing performance and flexibility.

BP2100 – Heavy Duty with Expanded Options

The BP2100 is built for more complex install and swim spas. It’s the first in the range to include clock memory, meaning time settings persist even after power loss

Variants

BP2100G0 – Supports 1x 2-speed pumps
BP2100G1 – Supports 3x 2-speed pumps
BP21P4BC – Supports 4 pumps + blower + circulation pump (ideal for large or commercial tubs)

Why it stands out

High relay count for advanced multi-speed setups
Full supports Clim8zone and all auxiliary panels
Excellent for high-end or complex builds

BP8 – The Universal Pack

The BP8 is a Hydrospare’s favourite “aftermarket” pack—a versatile system designed to be a technicians go-to unit for on-the-spot replacements and services calls.

Why it’s special:

Currently Covers 18 configurations (more than any other BP pack), with plans to increase functionality in the future.
Fits most common setups across two- and three-pump systems.
A smart stock choice for service vans or first-response engineers

Development is ongoing to expand its capabilities, including future support for multiple two-speed pumps—bringing it closer to BP2100-level flexibility in upper-range systems.

Watch the Full Video

For a hands-on walkthrough of everything covered above—from compact setups to advanced spa configurations—watch the full video, and others, on our YouTube channel (and don’t forget to Like and Subscribe for future updates).