I replaced the original heater in Apr '07 with 73790: Hot-Springs-No-Fault-PDR-Heater. After 5 months of proper operation this one now fails to raise the temp above 98degF. The controls respond correctly when the temperature is lowered (relays click, power to heater is off) and when it is raised above 98 (relays click, power is 110 at each hot leadand 220V across the hot leads, 3rd lead is safety ground). This is the steady state and temp remains at 98degF (approximately accurate according to feel). The resistance of the hot-to-hot lead is 135 ohms(should be less than 1/10 that?). At 6000W and 220V, I calculate that the resistance should be 8 ohms.
I tried many circuit breaker reset combinations to no avail.
With the heater disconnected and plugged directly into 220V the result is the same. The temp stays at about 98degF. This is with the cover closed and over about 6 hours.
I removed the heater and sent it in for a warrantee test.
What do you think the decision will be? It takes 6-8 weeks according to the dealer in Denver.

I hate them.

They're too expensive.

That heater's basically dead imo.

The PDR heaters are great, imo. They have the lowest failure rate of any heater I've ever worked on (L-Bay, D-1, Jacuzzi, Hot Springs)
I understand why Page-up feels the way he does, but the bottom line, this heater delivers.

The dealer is taking WAY too long. You've OHM'ed it out, and the heater is guaranteed regardless of water chemistry. It should be replaced without delay.

6-8 weeks is entirely unacceptable. They've sent it to watkins, the WSC (warranty service claim) will be approved, but it does take w while for your dealer to receive a re-reimbursement check from Watkins, this is likely the 6-8 weeks. You should receive a new heater when you've given them your old one. Do you have a prior history with this dealer to make them suspicious or something?

Yes you're right.

I just don't like heaters that cost more than 2 dollars.

Rotflmao.

Yep the PDR is the best heater they've had. Yes they're taking too long - that's insane.

(I have been properly edumacated by our west coast hot springs parts distributor about the pdrs - it's just every time I see a hs heater failure my mind goes into attack mode thinking it's that idiot (whom shall remain nameless) heater they switched to years ago before going back to pdrs.

ugh...