Heater question

[Pamsel]

We've got some friends coming over tomorrow and bringing their little boys to swim for the first time. I was in the pool tonight and it is COLD!
We've not used our heater for 5 years and I'm wondering if there's anything I need to know or be aware of or check before flipping the switch to turn it on for a few hours.

Thanks for any help!

[CarlD]

5 years? Without servicing or testing? I think you are asking for trouble if you just "flip it on".

I expect there will be deposit buildups, the gas jets may be clogged, and all kinds of things might not work.

Besides, kids will swim in water that will freeze a penguin's tail feathers!

[waste]

Pam, switch the heater on and see if it will work, if it doesn't, please post the maker and model and what seems to be wrong - we'll help all we can

[Pamsel]

Hi there, Waste,

Well, our friends decided to wait to come swimming until next week. The mother needs to get in with the little boys and she wasn't interested in freezing her tail feathers. We used the heater once when we first moved here, but just don't use it because it's expensive to heat the pool and normally once it's hot enough to swim, the water's warm enough anyway.

I did try turning it on, as you suggested. I made sure the pump was running, moved the gas switch to on position, flipped the switch and just nothing happened. No noise, no heat, no indication of anything firing up. I can see plenty of cobwebs in the open space at the bottom but they don't seem to be interfering with anything. (But then, what do I know? ) It is a Raypak, model #C-R185-EN.