Raypak 2100 won't start this year

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Bill in Bay Area

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Jun 6, 2017
28
Los Altos
My old Raypak 2100 was working last fall, but when I try to start it this year I get a "Clean Filter Strainer" service code. I have cleaned everything on the heater, backwashed, checked and cleared all baskets (skimmer and at pump). Pressure appears to be perfectly strong, and no different from in previous years. Based on what I can find on line, it seems the Pressure Switch may be faulty. Is that likely, do these fail? or is there another possible explanation?

If it is the pressure switch, are these simple to replace? The part number on mine is MSPS-EE05-071. I can locate on line for about $50 replacement switches with same specs labeled MSPS-EE05SS that look identical (Barksdale, the Little General, Single Setpoint .5-5.0). Do you simply remove the wires from the spades, unscrew, screw in the new one and reconnect the wires? Or do you need to adjust the set point, and how?

As a pool owner who maintains his own pool with help when needed from my installer, I don't know if this is something I can DIY or not. But given Shelter in Place orders, my installer is not open for business, otherwise I would have them take care of it. We would like to use the pool for exercise during the shelter in place, but unless I can get the heater working ...

Thanks for advice!

Bill in Bay Area
32K gallon in ground, Pentair EasyTouch PL4/Screenlogic, Intelliflo VS+., TA60D sand filter, Polaris 280, and Intellichlor salt cell
 
Welcome to TFP.

I would think you can jumper the pressure switch with a piece of wire as a test to see if the heater starts up.

@swamprat69 @ps0303 @JamesW thoughts?
 
You can remove the wires from the pressure switch and check the resistance to see if the switch is closed or open.

If it's open when you know that the pressure and flow are good, the switch is probably bad.
 
I think the correct switch comes preset for the proper pressure point.
 
The switch is relatively easy to replace.

Just be sure to make it watertight with teflon tape or sealant.

It shouldn't need adjustment if the heater base is about at the pool deck level.
 
OK, I bypassed the pressure with as Allen suggested. The low pressure message went away, and the screen said "Ignite" but nothing happened. So I took off the pagoda top, the front housing panel and did an even more thorough job of cleaning. When I turned the heater back on, it worked! BUT ...

... BUT there were visible flames coming out of the heater all around the pilot light. I'm done DIY'ing this sucker.

Just one more question: How long do heater's last? Maybe it's time for a new one.
 
Bill in Bay Area said:
Just one more question: How long do heater's last? Maybe it's time for a new one.
Click to expand...

Some last 5 years and some last 15+ years. All depends how it is maintained and how often it is used. More frequent use is actually better for heater life.

You sure everything is assembled correctly in the burner section? We recently saw a Raypak heater where the burners were installed upside down.

What color were the flames? Yellow or blue?
 

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The manufacturing date for Raypak is in the serial number.

Before 1995, it was month (first 2 digits) and then year (digits 3 and 4).

Beginning in 1995, they changed to year and month.

For example, Serial number 1604304448 was made in April 2016.

Yellow flame is due to incomplete combustion.

Sounds like you might have a sooted up heat exchanger.

Probably time for a new heater. Have the gas supply evaluated by a qualified gas contractor to make sure that it's good for your new heater.
 
Here's a picture of what it looked like, for your amusement:

December of 2000, based on serial number. Rarely used during my ownership, since 2005.

Now I'm off to look for other discussions to read about new heaters and best recommendations ...

Thanks again!

Bill in Bay Area
32K gallon in ground, Pentair EasyTouch PL4/Screenlogic, Intelliflo VS+., TA60D sand filter, Polaris 280, and Intellichlor salt cell
 
Looks like flame rollout...

Raypak Heater problem (flame rollout)

I have a raypak p-r406a-en-c (natural gas) unit and I'm having a flame rollout problem. I looked at the flue and it's clear. There's no obvious issues (no dead beasties). No obvious damage. I tried adjusting the pressure a bit, 3/4 of a turn counter clockwise didn't change the flame height...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

As James said it is caused by sooted up heat exchanger or clogged burners. Spiders and other insects get into the area and clog things up.

For a new heater get another Raypak.
 
Low NOx heaters normally have somewhat higher efficiencies and exhibit much lower NOx emissions.

They were developed to satisfy low NOx emissions requirements as first imposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California.

Your area might require a low NOx heater.

You might be in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Heaters used exclusively to heat swimming pools, hot tubs, or spas and the rated heat input is less than 400,000 BTU per hour are exempt in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The 400,000 btu heaters are usually listed as 399,000 or 399,999 btu/hr. Probably to slip in under the 400k btu/hr limit.

I would recommend a low NOx heater in any case.
 
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It seems they are more efficient, slightly, and friendlier on the environment. Is there any downside to them (shorter life, more expensive, etc.)? If not, why do makers bother carrying two lines? Why not only make low NOx heaters?

I'll get one in any case.

Thanks!
 
They tend to be more expensive and possibly more expensive to maintain due to the increased complexity.

Heater are all over the place as far as reliability goes.

Some people get 20+ years and others get 5 years.

Installation and operation are important to longevity.

Manufacturers tend to alternate between cost cutting and investing in quality depending on the current management.

Manufacturers initially invest in quality to get a good reputation.

Then, new management slashes costs and hopes that their reputation doesn't suffer until the leaders have left.

It's virtually impossible to keep up with who has the best quality year by year and manufacturers count on that to be able to cut quality when they feel like it.
 
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