Repair or Replace Sta-rite Heater?

SMH2

0
May 21, 2017
36
Southwick MA
My heater is a Sta-rite Max-E Therm 400k NG unit that came with the house when I bought it last year. It has not functioned since I have owned it and is original to the build 8 years ago. The prior owner had a new "top end" put on it for my inspection, then refused to pay for it and told the pool company to remove the parts. Unclear on what was fixed or removed.

The pool co didn't show back up to fix last season, but since I bought a safety cover, new VSF Pump and Opening/Closing last two seasons they promised to get it running for me.

My concern is the heater is 8 years old, the prior owners did not maintain anything around here and there is no check valve after the heater and before the SWG just downstream.

The heater would turn on but not fire as the display showed an inaccurate high water temp of something like 110. I think it is the thermistor based on what I've read, but the pool store is saying control board without looking at it.

I don't mind dropping a couple hundred to get it running, but if I am looking at $500 or more I am thinking I should just pick up a new one for $2k and eliminate any possible headaches that I might encounter. They still look identical and should be an easy swap if it comes to that.

What is the expected service life on these things and what is the tipping point to just replace the silly thing?
 
Usually of you turn it on and the temp reading is really high, it is the thermistor.

Lots of folks do NOT have check valves between their heater and chlorinator, especially the salt chlorinator. On a puck feeder yes as it could back feed into the heater when the pump isn't running especially if the feeder sits up higher and close enough.
 
The tech was out today, said it needed control board, thermostat, thermister, blower and a wire harness. Parts and repair was half the price of a new Sta-rite Max E Therm 400KHD, so that will be installed on Saturday instead of dumping money into this one.
 
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