Help needed - Replacement pool/spa heater

[Geeper]

Mark,

Thanks for your reply. We have a 1.5" line running just under 50 feet. My pool guys stated he would not have installed this particular heater if it was up to him and that he would have installed a larger line from the meter. In the end, neither of these really matter since our line "should" be big enough and we already have the heater. Replacing the supply line is not an option as it would require digging up my yard, destroying me deck, etc which we are not looking to do.

I'm looking for recommendations on heaters that can operate on 4" wc pressure that I have consistently. Due to the features of the LT Laars unit I have, it will not.

I'll check the screen issue, but in the end, I may need a different heater. Call it poor design of the system on the builders part, restrictive design constraints by the heater mfr, whatever. In any event, I have just under 5" sc pressure to work with and need to find a way to make it work. Otherwise I have a $2500 boat anchor waiting to happen.

[mas985]

I assume that you also have a big enough gas meter since the gas company was of no help. The meter should be large enough to handle the heater plus any other gas appliance that may be used as the same time.

Although I am not completely sure, I would expect that all 400k BTU heaters to require the same the gas pressure since the flow rates are the same. One alternative is to go with a lower BTU rating which would require less pressure. It just means longer warm up times.

[msm859]

Your 1.5" gas line is plenty big. Are you having problems when you have other gas appliances running? Maybe it is your meter size and/or it is having some restrictions.

[Geeper]

No problems with anything else, Had the gas meter "upgraded" when we got the pool, have gas heat and a gas cooktop in the house and a large gas grill in the backyard.

The issue is the pressure being right at and under 5"wc. My pool guy doesn't like this particular heater b/c it is so finicky with the input pressure, so I'm looking for alternatives.

[huskyrider]

I'm curious, do you have low pressure (ounces) or high pressure (pounds) in your 1 1/2" gas pipe. Look to see if there is a regulator on the pipe right before it enters the heater.
I've found all Mfg's LoNox heaters really like the dual pressure gas systems where you bring 2psi right to the appliance and then regulate it back to ounce pressure.
My guess is that you should ask the utility company to convert you to this set up.

See ya,
Kelly

[Geeper]

Kelly,

The system is low pressure. I am going to call the utility to see if they can change it to high. This should take care of my issue and bee les expensive (?) than a new heater, I assume.

If I do this, do I I need to put a regulator at each device (pool heter, gas furnaces, gas cooktop, grill) or one at the heater, one at the gas entrance to the house (vs at each gas furnace, cooktop, etc. in the house) and one at my grill?

BTW, I used Mirage Pools who I foudn through a recommendation from you. While we are happy overall with the end result, we had quite a few glitches that only persistance on my part got fixed by Mirage. This heater issue has been going on since day one, but since it is intermittent, and "should" work per the deign constraints, Mirage has basically blown me off. Since it's been well over two years since the pool was done, I don't even try to talk with those guys anymore.

KLnow any good pool service companies in North Dallas/Plano? The guy that worked with Mirage is not very responsive and I have a slightly leaky pump as well as the heater thing

[Geeper]

Kelly,

The system is low pressure. I am going to call the utility to see if they can change it to high. This should take care of my issue and bee les expensive (?) than a new heater, I assume.

If I do this, do I need to put a regulator at each device (pool heter, gas furnaces, gas cooktop, grill) or one at the heater, one at the gas entrance to the house (vs at each gas furnace, cooktop, etc. in the house) and one at my grill?

BTW, I used Mirage Pools who I found through a recommendation from you. While we are happy overall with the end result, we had quite a few glitches that only persistance on my part got fixed by Mirage. This heater issue has been going on since day one, but since it is intermittent, and "should" work per the design constraints, Mirage has basically blown me off. Since it's been well over two years since the pool was done, I don't even try to talk with those guys anymore.

Know any good pool service companies in North Dallas/Plano? The guy that worked with Mirage is not very responsive and I have a slightly leaky pump as well as the heater thing

[huskyrider]

You'll need to provide a pound to ounce pressure regulator at the heater. The utility company will provide a 20lb to 2lb right before the meter, then they'll provide a pound to ounce regulator right before the pipe enters your home.
In my area the utility company charges 350 for the service. You should be able to get a regulator installed on your heater for 150 or if your mechanically inclined you can do it for 50 to 75 bucks.

Dave builds an awesome pool, I'm sure it's a great looking unit.
If your pump itself is leaking call Jandy and have them send someone out.
If it's a pipe leaking you'll need to pay a service company to repair it. I'm sure that they're a Pro edge dealer and you have a 3 year warranty on your equipment.

see ya,
Kelly