Pool heater

[jaindesi]

Hello all...I am planning to buy a new heater to replace my current Rheem/raypak. Right now I have the P-M336A-EN-C model which came with the house. I had issue with it when we got the house where mice chewed up the wires. Spent $245 to fix that and it only worked for one season. Unit is from 2008 and it has lot of rust and Crud that has fallen inside. I am looking to built out a shed type structure around the pool equipment so I can protect it.

I am planning to replace it with same model so everything should be plug/play for gas, electric and plumbing. My dilemma is how do i protect heater from the mice. I do have outdoor poison in those black containers nearby . Is there anything else I can do to deter mice?

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• jaindesi
• Aug 21, 2020

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• jaindesi
• Jun 7, 2020

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• jaindesi
• Aug 21, 2020

Pool plumbing

• jaindesi
• Jun 13, 2019

Pool Pump

• jaindesi
• Jun 13, 2019

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Check out MK Rat proofing -

MK Rat Proofing Products

We Keep Rodents Out Of Your Pool Heater

mkratproofing.com

 

[1poolman1]

Do Not build anything with combustible material that is closer than 30" to the top of the heater, then an indoor draft hood and outdoor chimney must be used. Without those the area above the heater must be unobstructed. This will be in the manual if you get another RayPak.

 

[jaindesi]

Check out MK Rat proofing -

MK Rat Proofing Products

We Keep Rodents Out Of Your Pool Heater

mkratproofing.com

What kind of material is that? Looks like thick mesh grill that cut it to shape.

Do Not build anything with combustible material that is closer than 30" to the top of the heater, then an indoor draft hood and outdoor chimney must be used. Without those the area above the heater must be unobstructed. This will be in the manual if you get another RayPak.

I am planning to build some kind of roof on the existing setup and leave the top area open. Basically front and back will be open. There will be more than 30 inch gap so not worried about that.

 

[1poolman1]

What kind of material is that? Looks like thick mesh grill that cut it to shape.

I am planning to build some kind of roof on the existing setup and leave the top area open. Basically front and back will be open. There will be more than 30 inch gap so not worried about that.

The 30" requirement is the closest you can come to the the top of a heater. Read the manual before placing any obstruction above a pool heater, especially any combustible material. They all pretty much say the area above the heater must have no obstructions or have a draft hood. Once the exhaust goes through an obstruction (roof) it has to meet height requirements above the roof as well.

RayPak heaters are very resistant to downdraft problems. But, if you build walls close and then put a roof over it, even with the front and back open, wind can cause problems.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

What kind of material is that? Looks like thick mesh grill that cut it to shape.

Yeah. It’s some grade of steel mesh that is pre-cut to fit all of the openings on a heater. It comes with hardware and instructions for how to mount it all. Obviously you get the mesh and it cut it yourself but this person did all the work for you already. Honestly $60 is cheap when you compare it to a $3000 heater and the hundreds you can get charged for fixing rat damage.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

@1poolman1 is spot on. Once you start putting heaters near or under structures, you have to ensure that the exhaust can make it away without causing damage or being obstructed. You’ll also need to check building codes in your area because yhere may be requirements for duct work if you do put some kind of covering over the existing equipment.

The presence of electricity, gas and fire tends to make everything exponentially more complicated to do.

 

[PoolStored]

Here is the vent installed in my enclosed pad...

 

[PoolStored]

@JoyfulNoise Not sure if that is "oh my lord, not big enough," or "oh my lord, overkill."

I'm sure it is fine. But does underline the importance of ventilation.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

View attachment 418294
@JoyfulNoise Not sure if that is "oh my lord, not big enough," or "oh my lord, overkill."

I'm sure it is fine. But does underline the importance of ventilation.

Hopefully no small animals or children have been sucked up into that thing and flung across the multiverse …

 

[PoolStored]

Hopefully no small animals or children have been sucked up into that thing and flung across the multiverse …

I can't stop laughing and crying at the same time...you and @Newdude (separate inside jokes) have me rollin'.

 

[flynwill]

Since the OP is talking about a gas heater, here is a picture of mine, properly vented with Cat-III vent pipe, in my equipment shed. Not visible in the picture are the fresh air makeup vents installed low in the wall near the heater.

 

[1poolman1]

Since the OP is talking about a gas heater, here is a picture of mine, properly vented with Cat-III vent pipe, in my equipment shed. Not visible in the picture are the fresh air makeup vents installed low in the wall near the heater.

Wow, what a clean installation. Someone was thinking ahead.

 

[blazer58]

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• blazer58
• Apr 29, 2019

Here's mine for a 406 Raypak, 9" B-Vent which was a pain to find

 

[jaindesi]

So I ended up fixing my old heater for $500. Gas valve went bad. I hired a HVAC guy who works on pool heaters as well. He suggested to switch the gas valve to 24vac, valve which has on/off/pilot option. Basically changed the way it lights up the flame. Circuit board and screen are not working. It never worked since I bought the house. We are only using the board to pass the power on to gas valve to open when we need it. Now I am going to cover the outside of the heater with wire mesh to protect against mice. This is the product I am getting.

 

[1poolman1]

So I ended up fixing my old heater for $500. Gas valve went bad. I hired a HVAC guy who works on pool heaters as well. He suggested to switch the gas valve to 24vac, valve which has on/off/pilot option. Basically changed the way it lights up the flame. Circuit board and screen are not working. It never worked since I bought the house. We are only using the board to pass the power on to gas valve to open when we need it. Now I am going to cover the outside of the heater with wire mesh to protect against mice. This is the product I am getting.

If you are manually firing that heater, bypassing the circuit board, please don't. You will have also bypassed every safety system built in to protect you, your family, your property from serious harm. The valve in that heater was exactly what you describe, but sending uncontrolled voltage to it without benefit of safety circuits is incredibly dangerous.

Edit: Any HVAC guy that would allow you to do what you describe is not your friend. You paid him to put you in danger.

 

[jaindesi]

Safties are all there. Just bypassing the board. Main power switch on the board is still in use to turn on the unit. I also put bought lath to cover the heater openings. See the attached pictures.