copper tube pool boiler

harvey

We have a cleint with a teledyne-Laars pool boiler 175,000 btu. It was installed in 1992 & we're in the Chicago area. How long do you think this thing will lasst? Thanks for your input

Ken_8

Forever...

if properly maintained.

Since all swiming pools operate at a pH of 7.0 or above (or should), corrosion is not a factor. If piped properly, erosion will not be an issue either.

The burners and venting can be replaced and are somewhat "sacrificial" anyhow.

Chlorine will corrode a new boiler just as well as an older one.

If you don't anti-freeze it in winter - it may blow up from frost damage.

Well, maybe not "forever." But at least a few days short of forever!

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hr

That's a good boiler!

How many months a year does it run? Ever been cleaned or had the HX repaired before?

Ph is always the biggie for copper. Also inhaling pool chemicials will flip them out

The other key is the thermostatic mixer built into them. If this fails and it starts seeing 70-80° F water, they'll condense, soot, plug the copper fins and overheat and destroy themselves.

Oddly enough those mixers do a good job protecting the boilers. Sometimes the simple things..

hot rod

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harvey

thermostat valve

Hot Rod, Thanks for your advice. I didn't even think about water temps thru this boiler. I see from the parts diagram it fits in the header. Do you think that should be replaced after 14 yrs? We have cleaned the HX, replaced the power pile and pilot and replaced the temp. control.

[Deleted User]

cast iron headers

I have seen some go over 20 years. But that was because of proper water chemistry, for 20 years. The other thing that can cause problems is the cast iron headers. They can begin to release iron into the water, and then stain the pool.

hr

I'm not sure

how you even test them! I suppose put them in a bucket of hot water, like an automotive thermostat, to see if they move or open?

I don't know how one would check deltaT through the hx as that stat is built into the header between the supply and return??

I suppose if you are down that far, and the price isn't too high, why not throw a new one in. Most are copper enclosed element type. I'm sure the pool water gets to them after years, also.

A good hx cleaning, inside and out, along with burner cleaning should be the best maintenance. It's the water quality inside and the flame and air quality on the outside.

hot rod

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