Recent content by gijoecam

Re-plumbing needs to be done anyways. Adding a check will necessitate cutting everything apart, and I wasnt real thrilled with how it was done to begin with anyways as I couldn't isolate the heater and still run the pump. The last owner must have run out of conduit because there is about 4 ft of...

In my (relatively uneducated) opinion, they are all, more or less, the same. So far, the only substantial differences I've seen are that they should use a cupro-nickel heat exchanger for better life (not that it helped me!), and the Raypak doesn't use forced air induction, instead igniting a...

Absolutely. The chemistry isn't perfect, but it's pretty stable, and I know I can make it better. I think the issue that caused this failure is the (lack of) check valve. Live and learn, I guess. All I can do is learn and move on.

Are there any substantial advantages or disadvantages to any particular brand? Seem that Lochinvar, Trane/Raypak, Hayward, and Pentair are all about the same price (or within a couple hundred bucks). Obviously the Lochinvar would be the easiest install, but if I'm spending my money, I may as...

So should I bother repairing this one, or should I go with another brand (properly plumbed, of course...)

Can you point the new guy in the right direction? I'd greatly appreciate it!

7-way test strips. PH was slightly low earlier in the summer for a few weeks (around 6.8) until I got it back in check, but has been about 7.5 generally. TA is between 80 and 120 (generally closer to 80). In doing some reading, it sounds like the check valve could be part of the issue...

Indeed, we are using the frog with tablets... How would that have led to this? We keep the chemistry in check. The frog is between the heater and the return, just like it should be (don't have a pic as it's disconnected at the moment).

We have a Lochinvar ERN252 that was installed by the house's previous owner right before they listed the house for sale. (It's six weeks outside the 2 year full warranty, but still within the three year heat exchanger-only warranty) We went on vacation two weeks ago, and when we got home we...