Replacing a 400k BTUH Minimax heater -- what's best?

Hi,

I am in Connecticut and I have/had a Purex Triton Minimax Plus 400 heater (Propane) for 15 years, it was a beast. My property got hit by a tornado last week and my heater got crushed. Insurance is going to cover it but when looking at the heaters available now, none that I see are getting good reviews. Some are coming with LED screens and displays that I'd rather steer away from. I liked the simplicity of the dials to set the temp on my Minimax. Much easier for me to diagnose and fix issues.

I have a 15,000 gal gunite pool with an attached spa. Duel zone temps would be nice but not necessary.

What would you recommend?

The only heater I've recently had experience with is the Hayward Universal -- and I got 6 - 9 years use out of them, but on commercial pools in somewhat hard service. I've also seen some heaters in sad shape, but they weren't 'mine', and I didn't examine them closely

So, with those limitations in mind:

+ Stay away -- far away -- from the Sta-Rite heaters. From what I've seen, they are awful.

+ Many heaters are NOT salt compatible, though the company usually makes a salt compatible model for extra $$$'s.

+ The Hayward Universal has a cupro-nickel heat exchanger that IS salt compatible.

+ The Hayward Universal also a spa / pool switch allowing different settings. I think some controllers can switch electronically, but I never used it, so I didn't investigate.

+ The Hayward requires 120V to operate at all -- but I think most do, now -- and replacement parts are electronic and expensive.

+ All pool heaters will last longer if kept off the ground, away from chemical fumes, with all chemical feeders (incl salt) DOWNSTREAM of the heater. (My heaters were in a damp pump room with chemicals stored nearby -- not ideal.)

Anyhow, you can check it out here: 400K Hayward Universal Propane . The reviews look pretty favorable. NOTE: I have seen bad heater reviews before, but when I read them, it was clear that EITHER it was a self-install by a clueless DIY-er OR the purchaser had unrealistic expectations.

Good luck!

Thanks Ben! I do not have a salt pool so that is good. I was looking at that one so thanks for confirming it for me and for your other expertise.