Need Advice - Can a DIYer remove a Heat Pump?

[jenandthegang]

Hi All,
I have a Jandy AE-TI Heat Pump connected to my 20,000 gallon in ground pool and in the 10 years we've owned the pool it has never worked (due to an expensive-to-replace broken controller assembly). Recently the petcock that's part of the heat exchanger drain has sprung a leak and I can seem to find a plug to use in place of it. Given that it's pool opening season in MD and no one will make service calls, I'm stuck with a leaking and poorly filtering pool.

So my question is: based on the photos below of my filtration system layout, can I remove the heat pump altogether and just install PVC in a u-shape to continue the flow? Trickiest part seems to be disconnecting the electric or ensuring that my plumbing is dry in order to use PVC cement on it.

Advice welcome!

 

[mknauss]

Sure. You can leave the bypass valve,etc so when/if you replace the heat pump, you can just hook it up.

 

[jenandthegang]

Thanks for the reply Marty. Is this the right way to do it?

Plumbing:

1. shut off pump
2. close valves on either side of heat pump to prevent water flow
3. drain all water out of the pvc in that area
4. cut pvc before inlet and outlet (would you do it before the coupling?)
5. install a new u-shaped connection using pvc cement
6. let dry for recommended time

Electric:

1. turn of electric to panel box
2. remove heat pump electric wire tied to panel box

Any other thoughts/ideas?

 

[bdavis466]

You have unions on the heat pump. You could just cap each end with a new half of a union

 

[CJadamec]

Cut the PVC leaving the entire union in place. If you take that front plastic cover off the heater you will probably have better access to the PVC to make a clean cut.

Glue a cap on each stub open the bypass and have a good swimming season.

Make sure the breaker is off and undo the electrical. Try to sell the unit on craigslist (listing the bits that are broken) or have somebody take it away for free if you aren't planning on fixing it. It's probably around 200lbs in weight so be prepared for that.

 

[kefjens]

You have unions on the heat pump. You could just cap each end with a new half of a union

Are these unions a standard size union that you can buy at any hardware or are they a special size made specifically for Jandy?

 

[CJadamec]

Those look like standard off the shelf unions.