Since my Raypak is a functional geyser....

[cruzmisl]

HI All,
I left my 4 year old Raypak Versa II on for too long while heating my pool and it sprung a leak. I took it apart and the manifolds and much of the internals are rotten/rusted. I tried to remove the nuts at the manifolds since that's where the leak was but all the studs broke . I have since bypassed the heater so I could run my filters but am in the market for a new heater.

I REALLY need some advice on a quality heater. I live in Michigan and my pool is 18x36 inground vinyl that gets sun from morning until night (faces south). I also have a spa. My Raypak was a 200k unit and I was thinking about getting something larger (maybe up to 400k) since the initial cash outlay is not too great and it will heat faster. I can't really afford the heater so a heat pump is not in my budget and solar is out too. Natural gas is really my only option. I'd like to have digital display with electronic ignition since my pilot light always used to burn out. Lastly are the low Nox worth the extra money or are they really only necessary for states that require them?

Thanks and I truly appreciate and advice on brands that are reliable. FWIW, I was considering Hayward, Laars and Sta-Rite.

Joe

[mkelley]

Um, no one has replied so I'm guessing anything I write won't be considered too amiss...

As someone who has a terrific gas heater but can't afford to run it anymore and switched to solar, I'm not sure why the heck you'd say that solar was out. It will *easily* pay for itself in a few years even if you only run it during the season, and you can easily double your pool season no matter where you live.

If it makes a difference (depends on your tax situation) there is a good chance solar heat for pools will be allowed a tax credit by the end of the year (not so far -- just for solar water heating). I know one thing -- with rising gas prices there is just no way I'd ever consider even running my gas heater anymore (with the possible exception of a few minutes for the hot tub -- while I can get it to well over 90 degrees with solar I can't quite get it to 100).

[Dr. Spike]

My Raypak is the 'geyser' edition too. The people I bought the house from never drained the heater when winterizing the pool so the manifold cracked.

A local pool builder took a look at it and said the manifold should be <$100.00. It is on back order so I can not confirm the total price or the labor if I have them install it.

You might be able to fix it cheaper then getting a new one depending on what is all wrong with it. I am not sure about the broken studs, but you might be able to replace them too.

[Dr. Spike]

I just did a little search for parts, the part I need is the return header which I found at the price I stated above. If your whole exchanger is shot, that looks like it could cost almost as much as a new heater.