Used Raypak 266a thoughts?

[Futuresvt]

Just picked up a used Raypak p-r266a-en-c. Couldn’t pass up the price at $150. The burners look to be in great shape. Not too sure on the heat exchanger and tubes. I don’t currently have a heater but did run the gas line during my pool build. I know this heater is somewhat on the small side and if I was purchasing new I would have gone for the 400k unit. Some I plan on using this one for a few years or until it dies.

A few questions that I have is should I swap the inlet side or make it work with my current setup. The heater will have to go to the left of my pump/ filter. I could install the heater so the control panel faces towards the house. Again it’s not my forever setup. Or I run the plumbing behind the heater between the house and equipment. Make a 180 degree turn into the heater and then reverse back to the pool. I’ll attach a photo tomorrow of my setup.

Should I hook everything up and see if the exchanger leaks or perform some sort of pressure test with the water hose now?

I powered the unit up and control board works and the buttons seem to also. The current temperature was displayed. Would there be an immediate fault code if something was wrong?

Thanks for all the help

 

[Futuresvt]

Bump.. anyone have success using a garden hose to test for leaks? Or just plumb into the pool system and see how it goes.

 

[ajw22]

I think a garden hose may find any big leaks but not likely to find any smaller leaks.

Best way to check for leaks is to pressurize the heater coil. If it holds pressure it is good. If it loses pressure you have a leak.

How to Pressure Test Pool Lines

How to Pressure Test Pool Lines for cracks or after plumbing and before backfill. Build your own pressure testing stick.

blog.intheswim.com

 

[Futuresvt]

That’s what I am thinking. Capping the outlet of the heater and pressurizing the inlet side with the hose. Fingers crossed there isn’t any leaks. Replacement tube exchanger is $615

 

[reven]

I bought a used Raypak 266 a few months ago. It's been heating our 17k gal pool during sub-freezing temp without problem. So far I'm impressed with it.

 

[Futuresvt]

I bought a used Raypak 266 a few months ago. It's been heating our 17k gal pool during sub-freezing temp without problem. So far I'm impressed with it.

how fast are you seeing the water temp rise? I am sure in sub freezing it’s slower. I am thinking with a solar cover in the spring/fall about 1 degree an hour.

 

[reven]

I've been keeping it set at a constant temp but I did raise it from 85 to 90 the other night. It went from 85 to 90 steadily from 7pm until 3am, so about 1/2 degree per hour. My weather app says outdoor temp was down to -11 that night. We always have the cover on, even in summer. I'm sure it can do more than 1 degree an hour in warmer weather and with a cover.