I have a nine year old 35k gallon pool with a Minimax Plus 400 heater that I am having problems with. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I have a number of questions. :-D
For starters, I live in Utah, where the temperature lately has been below freezing for a couple of weeks. I winterized the pool in October, and before closing it had issues where the high limits were open. I was able to bypass (jumper) one of them long enough to get the pool closed, and ordered new limit switches which i finally received.
***Question 1: It looks like these just screw right into the header. Are there any precautions or special things I need to take? (i.e. specific torque, heat sink compound, etc.?) [it appears they just thread in snug)
Before closing the pool, I noticed some strange behavior where the heater stayed on, even when the pump was not running. I suspect the pressure switch. I want to check the one I have before ordering a new one
*** Question 2: should the pressure switch be normally OPEN when there is no pressure (i.e. pump not running)?
It also seemed (prior to closing the pool) that it was not getting the water very hot.
*** Question 3; would this be related to either the limit or pressure switch issues above? (all LED's indicate normal operation)
The Minimax Plus has a toggle switch on the front (Pool-Off-Spa). I believe I have been able to have it in either the Pool or Spa position (I only have a pool) and have it operate normally in the past. Now it only works on one setting.
*** Question 4: Is this likely a problem with the thermostat, DPST switch, or control circuit board? Are there any troubleshooting steps available for checking each component?
Non-Pentair question: Unfortunately, now that the pool is closed and winterized, I am now losing water. It is a vinyl lined pool, and I believe I can see the leak near the bottom corner of the deep end. I've been told the only way to fix it is to un-winterize the pool and warm it back up to about 80 degrees so it can be patched (it looks like about a 1/4 inch tear in the vinyl. I am losing about two to three inches of water per week (with it covered).
*** Question 5: Is there a way to patch it without reheating the pool until spring? I am worried about the damage that the escaping water might be causing to the underlying soil and structure, so don't want to just keep adding water, but if I de-winterize it it will cost me a fortune to heat it up with the cold temperatures we are having.
Thanks a ton in advance for all your help!!
For starters, I live in Utah, where the temperature lately has been below freezing for a couple of weeks. I winterized the pool in October, and before closing it had issues where the high limits were open. I was able to bypass (jumper) one of them long enough to get the pool closed, and ordered new limit switches which i finally received.
***Question 1: It looks like these just screw right into the header. Are there any precautions or special things I need to take? (i.e. specific torque, heat sink compound, etc.?) [it appears they just thread in snug)
Before closing the pool, I noticed some strange behavior where the heater stayed on, even when the pump was not running. I suspect the pressure switch. I want to check the one I have before ordering a new one
*** Question 2: should the pressure switch be normally OPEN when there is no pressure (i.e. pump not running)?
It also seemed (prior to closing the pool) that it was not getting the water very hot.
*** Question 3; would this be related to either the limit or pressure switch issues above? (all LED's indicate normal operation)
The Minimax Plus has a toggle switch on the front (Pool-Off-Spa). I believe I have been able to have it in either the Pool or Spa position (I only have a pool) and have it operate normally in the past. Now it only works on one setting.
*** Question 4: Is this likely a problem with the thermostat, DPST switch, or control circuit board? Are there any troubleshooting steps available for checking each component?
Non-Pentair question: Unfortunately, now that the pool is closed and winterized, I am now losing water. It is a vinyl lined pool, and I believe I can see the leak near the bottom corner of the deep end. I've been told the only way to fix it is to un-winterize the pool and warm it back up to about 80 degrees so it can be patched (it looks like about a 1/4 inch tear in the vinyl. I am losing about two to three inches of water per week (with it covered).
*** Question 5: Is there a way to patch it without reheating the pool until spring? I am worried about the damage that the escaping water might be causing to the underlying soil and structure, so don't want to just keep adding water, but if I de-winterize it it will cost me a fortune to heat it up with the cold temperatures we are having.
Thanks a ton in advance for all your help!!