Pentair MasterTemp Heater not for SW pools?

[26theone]

I am reading the manual for the heater my PB is going to install. Its the Pentair MasterTemp 400.

On page 3 of the manual it states:

"NOTICE: Do not use this heater as a heating boiler,
water heater, or for heating salt-water pools. This heater
is intended for use in heating fresh water swimming
pools or spas only"

Do you have to use certain heaters if you want to use a swcg?

[Poolsean]

You should call Pentaire to see what level the consider to be a salt pool. I cannot image that they would not allow their own salt chlorine generator with their heater.
In the past I have contacted them about this "salt water pool" in which at the time, they stated above about 4000 ppm.
Again, call them and find out what they mean by this.

[mshumack]

Pentair is referring to "real" Salt Water tanks where salt levels are in the 30 parts per thousand (PPT) range (lik ethe Ocean), not swiming pools with SWG systems - which are around 3000 parts per million (PPM).
It is okay to use the Penatir Heater on a "salt" swimming pool.

[26theone]

Thanks, that makes sense. Odd that they dont make that clarification with all the swcg's getting installed in pools today.

[Poolsean]

hmmm, with the potential issue of warranty coverage, it would be best to verify this with them. The difference between 4000 ppm (actually this was Haywards, not Pentairs response to me), which is really close to what salt systems operate at, and 30,000 ppm is quite significant.
They may suggest a different heat exchanger that is protected against salt corrosion, if used in a salt pool...or not. But it would be worth a piece of mind to know what they mean by it.

I looked back at my notes on this (about two years ago), and although I asked this question in regards to the two heat pump companies Pentair bought, the response were both the same; salt level is not specified but warranty can be voided if water chemistry is not maintained or electrolysis is determined to cause the damage.

[26theone]

Thanks I will check with my PB. Agree it would be odd that their own heater will not work with their swcg.