Jandy JXI with Versaflo Heater

[Pperc]

Hi all,
As some know from my heater problems, I'm in the market to purchase a new one. Definitely not buying a Hayward. I had recommendations for both Pentair MasterTemp and RayPak. However, both are back ordered according to the pool equipment company I was going to use for installation. They said they can get the Jandy JXI with Versaflo Heater and asked what I want to do. After some reading, I like the concept of the Versaflo. It prevents water from flowing through the heater unless the heater is on which seems to be a good thing that will put less stress and chemicals on the heat exchanger over time so it's in contact with pool water far less.

Any thoughts recommendations? Problems with Jandy heaters? (Of course there are, just want to be sure I'm not crazy and I should wait for the Pentair or RayPak.

 

[Pperc]

And follow-up question. I have a salt pool / SWG. How critical is the cupronickel vs. the copper?

 

[Pperc]

@CPS Reno @JamesW @markayash @swamprat69 @setsailsoon

 

[Pperc]

@PoolGate I believe you have one of these?

 

[PoolGate]

I've never had an issue with the JXI heater at all on my 3rd season. It heats my 29k gallons 1-2 degrees per hour. It is rock solid.

 

[Pperc]

I've never had an issue with the JXI heater at all on my 3rd season. It heats my 29k gallons 1-2 degrees per hour. It is rock solid.

Do you have the copper or the cupronickel? Noticed you have a SWG.

 

[PoolGate]

Do you have the copper or the cupronickel? Noticed you have a SWG.

It's whatever was the cheapest and I also do not have the optional bypass. I read up on the bypass and my heater can go a month in the summer without being used so I think I am better off with that water not sitting in the heater.

 

[Pperc]

It's whatever was the cheapest and I also do not have the optional bypass. I read up on the bypass and my heater can go a month in the summer without being used so I think I am better off with that water not sitting in the heater.

It’s my understanding that the bypass still lets a bit of water through to prevent water from sitting like that.
Or just use the hot tub more

 

[setsailsoon]

I've had my Jandy Jxi installed for 7 years now. I got it because it was the least expensive I could find and as far as I can tell most heaters are almost identical inside especially if you're looking at similar model levels and not super high efficiency or something like that. I've actually abused this heater pretty badly on the electrical side with a severe lightning strike plus some self-inflicted damage during the trouble-shooting and repair. It drove me nuts but in the process I completely dismantled every single part of it and I learned a lot about how they work. We have some great experts that helped me a LOT with this process. As I participated in more heater problem threads I became more convinced that almost all are the same parts sometimes assembled a little differently. I actually do not prefer this Jandy since they have the most onerous warranty policy for DIY. But in your situation that may not matter. The only thing I've noticed about Jandy is the assembly seems to be a little more prone to electrical connection issues. They're not hard at all to address but can be frustrating if you don't know about them and expensive if you have no DIY warranty and need to use a service for repair. All you need to do if you have this issue is just remove the connectors in the sensor loop, clean, and replace with liberal coating of Corrosion Block or similar. I did this once in year 2. No problems since.

I think the corrosion issue for salt pools is 100% based on ignorance. The issue is water balance not salt. I have yet to see any corrosion or indication of copper in my pool and I'm going on my 2nd year of salt. My neighbor totally destroyed an identical heater in 4 years. He uses a pool service that has no idea what they are doing. His pool is stained so bad he's paying for an acid job next week. He's a great guy but has nowhere near the attention span nor interest in pool to be helped.

In your situation I would check online for a non-Jandy and DIY the install. If Jandy's the only brand available I'd probably go with it anyway and take the warranty hit. But that's for me because we use our pool/spa a lot and I don't do waiting very well. The right answer for you may be different than what's right for me.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[Pperc]

I've had my Jandy Jxi installed for 7 years now. I got it because it was the least expensive I could find and as far as I can tell most heaters are almost identical inside especially if you're looking at similar model levels and not super high efficiency or something like that. I've actually abused this heater pretty badly on the electrical side with a severe lightning strike plus some self-inflicted damage during the trouble-shooting and repair. It drove me nuts but in the process I completely dismantled every single part of it and I learned a lot about how they work. We have some great experts that helped me a LOT with this process. As I participated in more heater problem threads I became more convinced that almost all are the same parts sometimes assembled a little differently. I actually do not prefer this Jandy since they have the most onerous warranty policy for DIY. But in your situation that may not matter. The only thing I've noticed about Jandy is the assembly seems to be a little more prone to electrical connection issues. They're not hard at all to address but can be frustrating if you don't know about them and expensive if you have no DIY warranty and need to use a service for repair. All you need to do if you have this issue is just remove the connectors in the sensor loop, clean, and replace with liberal coating of Corrosion Block or similar. I did this once in year 2. No problems since.

I think the corrosion issue for salt pools is 100% based on ignorance. The issue is water balance not salt. I have yet to see any corrosion or indication of copper in my pool and I'm going on my 2nd year of salt. My neighbor totally destroyed an identical heater in 4 years. He uses a pool service that has no idea what they are doing. His pool is stained so bad he's paying for an acid job next week. He's a great guy but has nowhere near the attention span nor interest in pool to be helped.

In your situation I would check online for a non-Jandy and DIY the install. If Jandy's the only brand available I'd probably go with it anyway and take the warranty hit. But that's for me because we use our pool/spa a lot and I don't do waiting very well. The right answer for you may be different than what's right for me.

I hope this helps.

Chris

Can I ask your advice on gas piping size? I have 1 inch pipe and the run is probably 15-20 feet but with elbows where you add 3 for each elbow it’s probably 30 feet. The recommendation from the Jandy installation book is to use 1.5 inch pipe over 20 feet, but my old Hayward 400k BTU used the 1 inch pipe just fine. The pool company said they just have the gas company increase pressure if there is ever an issue. That makes sense, but is there a down side to increased pressure? I know if there is insufficient gas then it can lead to soot but if gas pressure is fine would there be another issue?

 

[PoolGate]

Mine is 1" but high pressure. The gas company put a high pressure port on my meter and the heater is run around 80 feet directly from the meter.

 

[Pperc]

Mine is 1" but high pressure. The gas company put a high pressure port on my meter and the heater is run around 80 feet directly from the meter.

What’s a high pressure port on the meter?

 

[setsailsoon]

If your old Hayward worked it should be fine for your Jandy. During my recovery from the lightning strike I got one of the inexpensive gas manometers to check my gas pressure. You can do the same if you have problems or just gas company to increase your pressure. They usually do this at no cost since it allows them to sell more gas.

Chris

 

[PoolGate]

What’s a high pressure port on the meter?

Higher gas pressure then normal I assume. It's so you can use a smaller diameter pipe and/or make a longer run. They had to test the incoming pressure to ensure they could provide a high pressure port he said not all areas have that capability. In those cases the only solution is a larger diameter pipe.

 

[Pperc]

Attached pics of my gas meter

 

[Pperc]

Thanks guys

 

[Pperc]

I've had my Jandy Jxi installed for 7 years now. I got it because it was the least expensive I could find and as far as I can tell most heaters are almost identical inside especially if you're looking at similar model levels and not super high efficiency or something like that. I've actually abused this heater pretty badly on the electrical side with a severe lightning strike plus some self-inflicted damage during the trouble-shooting and repair. It drove me nuts but in the process I completely dismantled every single part of it and I learned a lot about how they work. We have some great experts that helped me a LOT with this process. As I participated in more heater problem threads I became more convinced that almost all are the same parts sometimes assembled a little differently. I actually do not prefer this Jandy since they have the most onerous warranty policy for DIY. But in your situation that may not matter. The only thing I've noticed about Jandy is the assembly seems to be a little more prone to electrical connection issues. They're not hard at all to address but can be frustrating if you don't know about them and expensive if you have no DIY warranty and need to use a service for repair. All you need to do if you have this issue is just remove the connectors in the sensor loop, clean, and replace with liberal coating of Corrosion Block or similar. I did this once in year 2. No problems since.

I think the corrosion issue for salt pools is 100% based on ignorance. The issue is water balance not salt. I have yet to see any corrosion or indication of copper in my pool and I'm going on my 2nd year of salt. My neighbor totally destroyed an identical heater in 4 years. He uses a pool service that has no idea what they are doing. His pool is stained so bad he's paying for an acid job next week. He's a great guy but has nowhere near the attention span nor interest in pool to be helped.

In your situation I would check online for a non-Jandy and DIY the install. If Jandy's the only brand available I'd probably go with it anyway and take the warranty hit. But that's for me because we use our pool/spa a lot and I don't do waiting very well. The right answer for you may be different than what's right for me.

I hope this helps.

Chris

Fyi. For the heater + versaflo I’m being quoted 3430 installed incl additional parts to adapt from the old Hayward to the new Jandy. Feels a bit high but we really want to extend the pool season and water is getting cold.

 

[PoolGate]

That's not a bad price. The versa flow is only like $200 more.

 

[setsailsoon]

Attached pics of my gas meter

Not sure what the rest of your house requires for your gas heater but the meter can provide plenty for your pool heater. It requires ~400 cu ft per hour. I agree with @PoolGate, that's a pretty good installed price. You'll get the Jandy warranty if he's a qualified rep.

Chris

 

[Pperc]

Not sure what the rest of your house requires for your gas heater but the meter can provide plenty for your pool heater. It requires ~400 cu ft per hour. I agree with @PoolGate, that's a pretty good installed price. You'll get the Jandy warranty if he's a qualified rep.

Chris

I have a large gas powered HVAC unit and (when it’s on) a very large whole home generator that runs on natural gas. It’s only on a few times a year when we lose power. Is it possible I have a second gas meter? I’ve only been in this house about 18 months.