Hi all, our current Mastertemp 400 finally bit it after 14 years. Looking for recommendations on a replacement. Our pool is around 14000 gallons with a 800 gallon spillover spa. The same model heater looks to be around $2000- 2700, while Raypak is a lot cheaper for what seems like a comparable model. Is there a benefit to cupro nickel in a chlorine pool? I know I need a low nox model in Cali, but is 400k btu overkill? Thanks
Heater recommendations?
- Thread starter turbodmac
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,050
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What specific model Raypak are you looking at?
Cupro nickel is claimed to alst longer. But there are so many reasons heaters die that it is hard to know that you w ll benefit from it.
Depends how rapidly you want the pool or spa to heat.
I ended up biting the bullet and grabbing the same mastertemp 400k model. Totally worth not having to change any plumbing. Plus the last one was good for 14 years...
- May 23, 2015
- 24,462
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
14 years is pretty good for a heater. As long as you keep your water chemistry balanced, the cupronickel is unnecessary. In fact, because cupronickel has less heat transfer, that model is slightly less efficient than a regular copper heat exchanger. So I’m not sure the perceived benefit of a slightly more chemical resistant metal is worth the actual detriment of lower energy efficiency.
It would be interesting to see an eTi model in action as those are direct fired titanium heat exchangers. Costs a lot more though.
It would be interesting to see an eTi model in action as those are direct fired titanium heat exchangers. Costs a lot more though.
We've only been in this house (and this pool) for the last 2 years. I switched to the TFP method after the first season. I was on SWG for our last 2 pools so I needed to learn. The previous owner was using pucks and the CYA was through the roof. I did a partial drain and refill last season and the water looks great now. I expect to get some good life out of this heater.