I started replacing my heater element. I noticed that part the new element lines up right under my pressure guage hole. Is this going to be a problem for the pressure gauge to measure water flow?
Also, can I bend the element just a little bit? It is touching the bottom of the heater tube just a tiny bit.
Thanks for any help.

Dane

Yeah... a heater element kind of wants to do it's own thing when you put it in. It'll flex just fine, try to hold it in place while you tighten it down. As long as the water hole isn't totally obscured, (hole into the pressure switch), it'll work fine. But keep that element off of the pressure switch if it's got plastic entry threads!

Thanks, I will be installing this weekend, I will let you know my results.
My wife has her fingers crossed.
PS Can I use a pipe wrench to gently tighten the fittings?

Dane

If you're referring to the large plastic couplers on the ends, what I do is tighten them down by hand, then bump them with a large flat blade screwdriver (tapping lightly with a small hammer or the palm of my hand) until they're secure.

It's too easy to break those things using a big wrench because you lose the 'feel' of the plastic fitting in the process.

Good info on the couplers. I put the new element in and tightend the couplers. I started adding water. They aren't leaking so far. That is good.
But water is leaking from the two terminals from the heating element.
I tried to tighten the bolts but the rubber round gasket pushes out from under the bolt. The leak is alomst stopped but not completly. I won't wire up the hot tub until I get this problem fixed. The rubber gaskets are brand new. They came with the new element.
Any ideas?

Thanks
Dane

Those round gaskets go INSIDE THE HEATER.

Not under the bolts.

Gees.... the new element came with 4 small gaskets. I put 2 inside the heater and 2 outside. I'll take the 2 off from under the bolts. I wonder why they gave me 4 gaskets?

Thanks
Dane

Probably to be sure you get at least 2 of them inside the heater.... " title="Twisted Evil" />

I took the heater out and put the gaskets on the inside. (dummy me).
I will re-install hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for the help.
Dane

Well, I finally put the back together. I left the hot leads off the element to
first test the tub. I turned the tub on and bled the air out of the lines.
The pump was squeaking a bit, then it stopped circulating the water.
I pushed the high pump botton but all that did is make the pump turn faster. I tried several times with no luck on getting the water to circulate.
A "Flow" error is appearing on the control pad.

Thanks
Dane

Try bleeding the air out of the pump. If you have not closed any valves while replacing the heater, the pump has simply lost it's prime. Try loosening the union on the pressure side of the pump, listen for escaping air, and do not tighten it until water begins to seep out. Tighten it up, turn it on, and enjoy!

Good Luck!

~Swine

Loosening the union sounds like a plan. It's a pain to loosen because my
electrical conduent (sp) is right above it. Is there a possible bleeder on the pump it's self?

There may be, some wet-ends will have a bleeder (at the top, not bottom) of the wet end... some don't. If yours has a bleeder at the top, go for it!

by chance did you have a valve that was still closed or a gate valve that may have fallen into the closed position? Pumps usually only squeek when they run dry.

Good news, there was a bleeder on the backside of the pump.
Bled the air out and bingo the pump primed. I hooked the hot leads to the
heating element and everything seams to be working.
Thanks to all who gave me some much needed advise.

Dane