I was about to have my 10 year old 250k heater replaced for around $5k because of a mystery leak. I think I'll investigate the heat exchanger first as that's something I can do myself. Thanks for the video!
Thank you. Sorry about the portrait view. I wasn’t sure where I was going to post it and I hadn’t made a video yet for RUclips when I shot the video for this. I really appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to watch the video!
@@DangerDIY that’s a small price to pay for a very useful video. I have the same heater for my pool, and never took it completely apart, so it was interesting to me. I’m surprised you had no desire to try to repair that heat exchanger. Some solder and flux, maybe a piece of copper tubing, who knows. At any rate, subscribed.
@samlol23 thanks for the follow up reply. I absolutely want to try to fix the old one. It is sitting in the box and I just need to pick up some mapp gas and I will make an attempt. It will be my first attempt at using a braising rod. I will make sure to document and post when I do whether it be a success or failure. Thanks again and welcome to the channel.
Very helpful video. For those who are thinking about doing this, open up the panels on your heater before ordering and inspect the inside. Ask me how I know :( OK you don't have to ask because I'm going to tell you. Mine had extensive rust damage on 3 of the four sides - as in the metal that the firebox insulation was attached to was rusted through. Like a dummy, I didn't take a look inside before I ordered a new heat exchanger, so I'm going to be out return shipping at the least.
I've got this project to look forward to as well. Thanks so much for the preview. Also, why did this happen? Is freeze protection not a failsafe at preventing this? We use our spa in the winter, and sometimes heat up the pool on special occasions. I thought freeze protection kept the water cycling so that this wouldn't happen. I was not instructed on any winterization procedure by my pool builders. Am I supposed to winterize the heater, even tho I don't winterize the pool and spa, as I use them in the winter. Thoughts appreciated. Great vid!
My freeze protection has failed twice. First time was because it was defective and didn’t kick on the pump for the pool. This is when I had the heat exchanger rupture. The second time was because the power was cut by ERCOT for 5 hours at a time over 2 days. Because of the first time I installed a bypass and drain the heater at the end of the season before cold weather kicks in. So the second time I didn’t lose the heat exchanger just other pool equipment.
Great video thank you. My heat exchanger leaked badly into my firebox causing some damage to the insulation. Any thoughts on if it will still function ok if I replace the heat exchanger or should I just get a new heater?
Mine had a tiny 1/8th inch wide split from freezing water, not nearly as bad as the one in the video, but it looked to be in the same spot. I used $9 Epoxy putty from Ace hardware and its running strong now. The insulation on the inside of mine wasn't as bad as the one in this video, but I would've replaced it too if I knew to order it before breaking it apart.
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. It really helps me get in the mindset to put out the next video and get on to the next project! Much appreciated!
Great video. I got the same Hayward H-Series H250FDN and it's leaking water from where the in and out PVC pipes connect to the heater. Could it be that I need new O ring gaskets? How many are there? Just 2 ?
The easiest way to check is to unscrew the union and see if the orings are broken and if they are it is what is causing it. But I don’t remember how many there are as I haven’t had to touch the heater since my repair and just don’t remember.
You can get the control panel here: Hayward FDXLBKP1930 Bezel and... www.amazon.com/dp/B004VTG2Z8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share And if you need the controller board: Hayward IDXL2DB1930 Display Board... www.amazon.com/dp/B004VTG32U?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
You’re welcome and thank you so much for watching a commenting. I love to get feedback. It helps provide motivation to make and post the next video. Have a great weekend!!
when you moved the pressure switch from the old one to the new one did you need to use red thread sealant or teflon tape or did you just switch it over as it was with the old red sealant on the threads.... any problems with it leaking around the threads?
I have the exactly same Hayward heater and recently the power of the heater went out, so you think it’s because then sun burnt the display board or just the panel or both? Can you please help me out, thank you
My video shows where both are. But I can’t tell you why it isn’t working without actually seeing the heater as I’ve only repaired the one in my video so I unfortunately don’t have a lot experience figuring out what is wrong just from what it is doing versus actually looking at the boards and seeing things burnt on them. You can always order new ones and replace them and see if they fixes the problem. Sorry I am not more help.
I have this heater and every time I turn it on, it smells like gas. It never happened before. I have propane with the conversion kit. Any ideas of what is wrong?
I use propane and don’t smell gas on mine I wouldn’t think that is not good. I’d have a service company out to check on it. Does it fire up like it should or just release propane and never lights?
You can get the heat exchanger here: sunplay.com/products/hayward-h250fd-heat-exchanger-fdxlhxa1250 At sunplay.com I will add all the parts to the description.
I found about two inches of standing water in the bottom of the heater where the gas pipes are. I put it all back together with the new heat exchanger and I’m getting an IF code. Igniter failure. Not sure what to do now
I am just guessing. But there is likely an electronic ignition system that has an issue. I didn’t have that problem and am not a pool heater expert. Sorry. Looks like the part is about $50 to $100 if that is what it is.
Found this on a Hayward site on the internet. Low gas pressure may create a lean gas to air mixture, which may not ignite. If the heater has not been fired in over a week, chances are there is a blockage in the burners or orifices that is preventing the gas from escaping the burner and reaching the spark. Other causes of this problem are: (1) Bad ignitor. (2) bad gas valve.
I would also suspect the pipes standing in water for too long could have corroded and have leaks and may need to be replaced or repaired. I haven’t done a lot of work on gas lines and don’t know all the ins and outs of safety or doing so but recommend a plumber that does work on gas lines if you need to replace the lines as a leak and explosion would be a really bad outcome obviously. Good luck and sorry I wasn’t able to provide more help.
Thanks for the advice! I ended up sucking all the water out with my shop vac, dried out the firewall material using paper towels as best I could, cleans out the six gas valves, took a toothbrush and cleaned all the tiny slits in the gas pipes that were submerged. Put it all back together, fired it up and it ignited! I let it run for about 25 minutes as all the moisture in the unit was being converted to steam and escaping through the top vent. No more steam as I suspect everything is dry now. The family was able to enjoy the hot tub again! Whew saved about $3500 doing it myself. This video gave my the confidence to at least try it!
help!! I replaced the heat exchanger header and there are no directions for the wiring, water pressure switch and temp limits ???? took over after brother in law started so i cannot copy
Did you check to see if the manual would help? www.hayward-pool.com/assets/documents/pools/pdf/manuals/UHS-Service-Installation-011717-RevT.pdf The wiring was already done when I did my repair so I would refer to the manual.
I don’t know a lot about refrigeration. But there are a lot of experts out there. I know you can get a heat pump version of a pool heater that will also offer cooling of the water as well. Hope that helps and thank you for the question.
I would guess it could be repaired. I don’t know if there are other leaks and haven’t had the inclination to cut it out and replace it but still have it because I was going to try to repair it. But I would guess you could cut out the bad and fit the new if you could get enough pipe to mend to. The other choice is to try to weld or braze it shut. I don’t have a lot of experience doing that though and don’t know what the outcome would be or the durability of the repair.
Thank you for the question! It did fire up, but if it didn’t the gas would stop flowing and it would go into service mode automatically. It is an electric start so there is no pilot to worry about.
I watched your video tonight and will do my swap tomorrow ! I have to say "I couldn't have done it without you" Thanks for the encouragement !
Thank you. This was literally my first video ever for RUclips. But I am glad it will be helpful. Good luck and I hope your repair is easy for you!!
Hey there. Just wanted to check in and see how everything went on your swap? Thanks again for the comment and I hope you are having a good week!
I was about to have my 10 year old 250k heater replaced for around $5k because of a mystery leak. I think I'll investigate the heat exchanger first as that's something I can do myself. Thanks for the video!
Good luck!
Thank you for posting this.
I just switched mine out.
Your video gave me the confidence to tackle myself. Everything went smoothly thanks to you sir.
Awesome to hear! Thank you for letting me know and congrats on your repair!
Very informative. Knowing how to repair things is very essential for a person who lives alone.
Thank you. I hope it was helpful.
Indeed this is one of the things people must be watching on RUclips. Salute to you Sir. I will surely try this on our heater.
Thank you.
Well explained and in detail. But I still need to download this video so that I can watch over and over again.
Thank you.
Very well done. I hung in there even though it was shot on a cellphone in portrait mode. Guess someone forgot to blow out the old one. Great job
Thank you. Sorry about the portrait view. I wasn’t sure where I was going to post it and I hadn’t made a video yet for RUclips when I shot the video for this. I really appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to watch the video!
@@DangerDIY that’s a small price to pay for a very useful video. I have the same heater for my pool, and never took it completely apart, so it was interesting to me. I’m surprised you had no desire to try to repair that heat exchanger. Some solder and flux, maybe a piece of copper tubing, who knows. At any rate, subscribed.
@samlol23 thanks for the follow up reply. I absolutely want to try to fix the old one. It is sitting in the box and I just need to pick up some mapp gas and I will make an attempt. It will be my first attempt at using a braising rod. I will make sure to document and post when I do whether it be a success or failure. Thanks again and welcome to the channel.
The water inlet/outlet header has a drain plug that just needs to be removed to drain/winterize it. No need to blow anything out
@@jnichols777 I remove the drain plug and also blow all the water that doesn't drain out for good measure
Very helpful video. For those who are thinking about doing this, open up the panels on your heater before ordering and inspect the inside. Ask me how I know :( OK you don't have to ask because I'm going to tell you. Mine had extensive rust damage on 3 of the four sides - as in the metal that the firebox insulation was attached to was rusted through. Like a dummy, I didn't take a look inside before I ordered a new heat exchanger, so I'm going to be out return shipping at the least.
Great Video, thanks for posting it! I'll be doing this in the next few weeks!
Thanks for watching and for the comment Brad. Much appreciated!! Best wishes to you when doing it in a few weeks.
When a new project is ready, its performance will be known at that time
I've got this project to look forward to as well. Thanks so much for the preview. Also, why did this happen? Is freeze protection not a failsafe at preventing this? We use our spa in the winter, and sometimes heat up the pool on special occasions. I thought freeze protection kept the water cycling so that this wouldn't happen. I was not instructed on any winterization procedure by my pool builders. Am I supposed to winterize the heater, even tho I don't winterize the pool and spa, as I use them in the winter. Thoughts appreciated. Great vid!
My freeze protection has failed twice. First time was because it was defective and didn’t kick on the pump for the pool. This is when I had the heat exchanger rupture. The second time was because the power was cut by ERCOT for 5 hours at a time over 2 days. Because of the first time I installed a bypass and drain the heater at the end of the season before cold weather kicks in. So the second time I didn’t lose the heat exchanger just other pool equipment.
The sheets on the end of the exchanger and strips that you put on did they come with the exchanger ?
Yes. They came with the exchanged when I purchased it.
Great video thank you. My heat exchanger leaked badly into my firebox causing some damage to the insulation. Any thoughts on if it will still function ok if I replace the heat exchanger or should I just get a new heater?
If the insulation is badly damaged you may want to change it out. But I would think a repair is still possible.
Mine had a tiny 1/8th inch wide split from freezing water, not nearly as bad as the one in the video, but it looked to be in the same spot. I used $9 Epoxy putty from Ace hardware and its running strong now. The insulation on the inside of mine wasn't as bad as the one in this video, but I would've replaced it too if I knew to order it before breaking it apart.
Thanks for the upload
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. It really helps me get in the mindset to put out the next video and get on to the next project! Much appreciated!
Great video. I got the same Hayward H-Series H250FDN and it's leaking water from where the in and out PVC pipes connect to the heater. Could it be that I need new O ring gaskets? How many are there? Just 2 ?
The easiest way to check is to unscrew the union and see if the orings are broken and if they are it is what is causing it. But I don’t remember how many there are as I haven’t had to touch the heater since my repair and just don’t remember.
@@DangerDIY yup. That's what I was told also. I'm definitely gonna order the entire O ring kit and replace them all. Thanks for the response
The control panel is great. It's a good product. I needed it
You can get the control panel here: Hayward FDXLBKP1930 Bezel and... www.amazon.com/dp/B004VTG2Z8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
And if you need the controller board: Hayward IDXL2DB1930 Display Board... www.amazon.com/dp/B004VTG32U?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Thanks for posting
You’re welcome and thank you so much for watching a commenting. I love to get feedback. It helps provide motivation to make and post the next video. Have a great weekend!!
Your product is good, will definitely buy after watching our video
Great
It's a good product. I like the information about it. It was my job
Great to hear!
You have made me very awesome, I have praised his things.
Wonderful!
when you moved the pressure switch from the old one to the new one did you need to use red thread sealant or teflon tape or did you just switch it over as it was with the old red sealant on the threads.... any problems with it leaking around the threads?
I used some white Teflon tape. I didn’t have any leaking.
@@DangerDIY thank you
Thanks for the question and I hope your repair goes well!
Hi Pat. I was just wanting to check in with you to see how everything went on your heat exchanger repair?
@@DangerDIY went perfectly, up and running with no leaks, thanks for asking
You have more potential than you think you have.
Thanks
Great and amazing product ..very useful thing.💕💟💓🔥💞😍
Thank you so much 😊
I have the exactly same Hayward heater and recently the power of the heater went out, so you think it’s because then sun burnt the display board or just the panel or both? Can you please help me out, thank you
My video shows where both are. But I can’t tell you why it isn’t working without actually seeing the heater as I’ve only repaired the one in my video so I unfortunately don’t have a lot experience figuring out what is wrong just from what it is doing versus actually looking at the boards and seeing things burnt on them. You can always order new ones and replace them and see if they fixes the problem. Sorry I am not more help.
I have this heater and every time I turn it on, it smells like gas. It never happened before. I have propane with the conversion kit. Any ideas of what is wrong?
I use propane and don’t smell gas on mine I wouldn’t think that is not good. I’d have a service company out to check on it. Does it fire up like it should or just release propane and never lights?
This product will be useful for me too
You can get the heat exchanger here: sunplay.com/products/hayward-h250fd-heat-exchanger-fdxlhxa1250
At sunplay.com
I will add all the parts to the description.
Pressure switches have changed
I found about two inches of standing water in the bottom of the heater where the gas pipes are. I put it all back together with the new heat exchanger and I’m getting an IF code. Igniter failure. Not sure what to do now
I am just guessing. But there is likely an electronic ignition system that has an issue. I didn’t have that problem and am not a pool heater expert. Sorry. Looks like the part is about $50 to $100 if that is what it is.
Found this on a Hayward site on the internet. Low gas pressure may create a lean gas to air mixture, which may not ignite. If the heater has not been fired in over a week, chances are there is a blockage in the burners or orifices that is preventing the gas from escaping the burner and reaching the spark. Other causes of this problem are: (1) Bad ignitor. (2) bad gas valve.
The valve runs about $230 at Amazon. a.co/d/7aEz43S
I would also suspect the pipes standing in water for too long could have corroded and have leaks and may need to be replaced or repaired. I haven’t done a lot of work on gas lines and don’t know all the ins and outs of safety or doing so but recommend a plumber that does work on gas lines if you need to replace the lines as a leak and explosion would be a really bad outcome obviously. Good luck and sorry I wasn’t able to provide more help.
Thanks for the advice! I ended up sucking all the water out with my shop vac, dried out the firewall material using paper towels as best I could, cleans out the six gas valves, took a toothbrush and cleaned all the tiny slits in the gas pipes that were submerged. Put it all back together, fired it up and it ignited! I let it run for about 25 minutes as all the moisture in the unit was being converted to steam and escaping through the top vent. No more steam as I suspect everything is dry now. The family was able to enjoy the hot tub again! Whew saved about $3500 doing it myself. This video gave my the confidence to at least try it!
help!! I replaced the heat exchanger header and there are no directions for the wiring, water pressure switch and temp limits ???? took over after brother in law started so i cannot copy
Did you check to see if the manual would help? www.hayward-pool.com/assets/documents/pools/pdf/manuals/UHS-Service-Installation-011717-RevT.pdf
The wiring was already done when I did my repair so I would refer to the manual.
Is there an AC in the market that consumes less electricity and has more cooling?
I don’t know a lot about refrigeration. But there are a lot of experts out there. I know you can get a heat pump version of a pool heater that will also offer cooling of the water as well. Hope that helps and thank you for the question.
I don't suppose there is a viable way to repair or replace that burst pipe?
I would guess it could be repaired. I don’t know if there are other leaks and haven’t had the inclination to cut it out and replace it but still have it because I was going to try to repair it. But I would guess you could cut out the bad and fit the new if you could get enough pipe to mend to. The other choice is to try to weld or braze it shut. I don’t have a lot of experience doing that though and don’t know what the outcome would be or the durability of the repair.
@@DangerDIY at this point I think it is more trouble than it is worth for something that won't really be used.
@@snowboredsnj sorry that it is broken.
What happens if it doesn't fire up 🔥😍
Thank you for the question! It did fire up, but if it didn’t the gas would stop flowing and it would go into service mode automatically. It is an electric start so there is no pilot to worry about.
I'm going to bypass the heater since it never run....
Sure. That can work. Just install a bypass valve.
just under $1000 in Dec 2023 😥
Whoa! Sorry.
Why not just sell a new one
Because it costs substantially more than replacing the broken part for the repair.
Also, I don’t sell anything :) I am just fixing my own stuff that is broken and showing others how to do it.
@@DangerDIY I understand I'm replacing a jandy 240 but the heat exchanger is leaking and leaking through the blower 4600$
Ouch. Good luck. Sorry to hear.
@@DangerDIY don't be I do this for a living