Converting to gas from propane

[johnm92627]

Hello,
Does anyone know if there is a way to convert a propane heater to gas or is it more problems than it is worth? The heater is a Jandy LX. Thanks!
John..

[Sherra]

I work for a fireplace/grill company and we also run gas lines, etc. (have even done gas lines to pool heaters - not me personally...I do the paperwork in the office). But, I do deal with the customers and products enough to know that it's not nearly as easy as just getting a propane tank and hooking it up to what you've got. You'll need to call the company that manufactures your heater and see if they have a "natural gas to propane conversion kit" you can order (we can do that with SOME of our gas fireplaces and most of our grills but not all). You may be able to just replace the burner on the heater. But, since I don't actually deal with pool heaters, I don't know for sure. Call the manufacturer though, because no matter if you can just get a conversion kit or if you have to replace the burner you'll probably have to get it from them anyway.

[matt4x4]

Well, seeing that you're on Propane allready, the furnace would have originally shipped with the Natural Gas venturi, all you have to do is get the Natural gas venturi from the manufacturer (although, you should have the original one that shipped with the unit because they had to get a propane venturi after the fact to convert the unit to Propane in the first place and all original spare parts SHOULD have been left with you since you bought and paid for them in the original purchase price and got teh upcharge for the propane conversion).

[johnm92627]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have never had propane at this house but the new heater is propane. I wanted to convert it to gas. I called Jandy and they said they do not recommend it. They told me they sell two styles for a reason. He did not know the reason.

[thepoolman1]

If you have a propane Laars LX heater, it came from the factory set up to use propane and no other fuel. Your installer did not keep something that belonged to you. There never was a change-over kit that came with that heater.

A propane-fueled LX has a propane gas valve, propane burner orifices, a propane ignition system. They are not designed to work with natural gas and your performance would suffer if you try.

Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm (and the new Pentair Master Temp, same heater different housing) heaters are the only heaters I am aware of that have a simple (and included) change-over system to go from natural gas to propane or back. Except in this case, changing from one fuel to another is not recommended and could be dangerous.

[johnm92627]

That answers it all. Thanks!