Customer Reviews

Sta-Rite SR400NA Max-E-Therm Black Natural Gas Pool and Spa Heater, 400-BTU

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My old Sta-Rite 200 rusted out. I have a salt-water pool and it was actually the wrong type of system, but it lasted for three years under the harsh salt-water conditions. This new model is made properly for my type of pool. It was amazingly easy to install - hook up the electric, gas and water, turn everything on and it worked. You have to turn it on and off several times to bleed the air out of the gas line, but the directions warn you of that. As soon as it was getting gas, it fired up and stayed that way.

If you leave this on too long and it runs too much, it goes into "service" mode. But that is easily fixed - turn it off and back on and it works just fine.

It also came with a bag of parts, including gaskets for the water, which was nice. I didn't need them, but the ones I have will wear out sooner or later and now I have replacements.

This is also THE BEST PRICE I found anywhere - and I researched for days to make sure of it, since it is such and expensive item.

If you need a good, solid heater that was easy to retro-fit and install, get this one. I am very satisfied with it.

This heater is the most efficient rated gas heater and is a very nice size and appears to be indestructible. The first one I received via UPS showed up in ridiculous condition in an open box covered with dust and surrounded with shredded packing tape. It was quickly replaced with next day delivery via Fed Ex instead of UPS and was still only shipped in a single box but at least not crushed. It was installed in less than 2 hours by my pool guy and works well. Seems to heat 1 degree per hour, but with the cold weather now, I will close the pool and have to wait until next season for a long term test. The materials are a plastic fiberglass type of construction and this seems to be very high quality. More to come.

Amazon had the best price and despite the first shipping disaster they came through with customer service,even though the Phillipino service center is annoying with their "I am certain I can help" statement every other sentence! They really should consider packing this item in an outer carton. I posted some pics of the carton in the packaging feedback, not sure where to view it but if you find it , it they are hilarious.

My pool guy recommends putting a "fireman's switch" on this. It allows the pump to continue to run for 15 minutes after it shuts off the heater to allow residual heat ( 400,000 Btus worth)to be dissipated from the heater and protect the element and piping. I'll have it placed this winter.