Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers include: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A gas heater for a swimming pool or spa includes a cabinet defining an interior, a combustion chamber enclosure, a heat exchanger positioned within the combustion chamber enclosure, a burner, a combustion blower configured to provide combustible gas to the burner, and electrical components positioned within the cabinet. The cabinet has a plurality of side panels and a top panel covering a top opening to the interior of the cabinet. The combustion chamber enclosure defines a combustion chamber, and is positioned within the interior of the cabinet. The combustion chamber enclosure also includes a burner opening in which the burner is positioned such that the burner is configured to dissipate combustible gas into the combustion chamber. At least one of the electrical components is configured to control the gas heater. The electrical components are accessible through the top opening when the top panel is removed.

Abstract: A modulating heater system for a pool or spa includes a pool/spa heater capable of variably modulating energy output thereof and a controller communicatively coupled to the heater. The controller determines a current mode of operation for the heater, and establishes temperature overshoot and target temperature setpoints for pool/spa water for the current mode of operation. The controller determines a current temperature of the water, an optimized modulation rate for the heater for the current mode of operation, and a maximum modulation rate for the heater for the current mode of operation. The controller controls the heater to operate at one of the optimized and maximum modulation rates based on the temperature overshoot setpoint for the current mode of operation, the target water temperature setpoint for the current mode of operation, and the current water temperature. A corresponding method for controlling a pool/spa modulating heater is also provided.

Abstract: An inlet mixer system for a gas heater includes a housing in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion blower, and first and second mixer inserts, each removably positionable within the housing. Each mixer insert includes a body defining a mixing chamber, an air intake, and a plurality of orifices disposed radially about the body and extending through the body, which provide respective volumetric flow rates of a fuel gas. When the first mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a first fuel gas, and when the second mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a second fuel gas.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers include: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers include: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers therefor are provided in accordance with the present disclosure, including: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a gas switching device including a body and a gas selector mechanism. The body includes an inlet and an outlet. The gas selector mechanism includes a first orifice in fluid communication with the inlet and a second orifice in fluid communication with the inlet. The gas selector mechanism includes a valve arm and a selector element. The selector element is configured to actuate the valve arm between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the selector element actuates the valve arm to close the second orifice for passage of a first type of gas through the first orifice. In the open position, the selector element actuates the valve arm to open the second orifice for passage of a second type of gas through both the first orifice and the second orifice.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to swimming pool heat exchangers including a housing and one or more tube assemblies disposed within the housing. Each of the tube assemblies includes an elongated titanium tube and at least one fin welded to an outer surface of the elongated titanium tube. The elongated titanium tube and the at least one welded fin allow for corrosion resistance to swimming pool water while simultaneously allowing for improved heat transfer from the heat exchanger to the swimming pool water.

Abstract: Provided is a backwash valve comprising a body including a central tube extending along a length of the body, a first pool port and first filter port axially aligned at a first position along the body length, a second pool port and second filter port axially aligned at a second position along the body length, and a waste port; and a sliding gate including a stem connected to a gate body, the gate body including first and second chambers separated by an internal wall; the sliding gate movable between a filter position wherein fluid communication is provided among the first filter port, first chamber, and first pool port, and a backwash position wherein fluid communication is provided among the first filter port, second fluid chamber, and second pool port, and between the second filter port and waste port.

Abstract: Provided is a backwash valve comprising a body including a central tube extending along a length of the body, a first pool port and first filter port axially aligned at a first position along the body length, a second pool port and second filter port axially aligned at a second position along the body length, and a waste port; and a sliding gate including a stem connected to a gate body, the gate body including first and second chambers separated by an internal wall; the sliding gate movable between a filter position wherein fluid communication is provided among the first filter port, first chamber, and first pool port, and a backwash position wherein fluid communication is provided among the first filter port, second fluid chamber, and second pool port, and between the second filter port and waste port.