Buying Used Pool Equipment Need some Opinions and Help!!!!!

30packofstrohs · Jul 24, 2018

Looking to buy some used pool equipment I think I'm getting a steal Hayward H300 (from picture appears to be ED-2 Series) Pool Heater said it was used only three years old. Sta-Rite P2RA5F-182L (1.5 Horse) which I cannot find much about this pump. I believe it is single speed, 230 volt pump. A Triton 2 Sand Filter and Hayward multiport valve includes Polaris 9300 pool cleaner. All taken from inground pool.

All this for less than $1000 anything I should be leary of? Or what should I watch out for? To me the pool heater alone is worth it as replacement for may aged H250 Millivolt system.

Just added my signature so hopefully my pool detail show up

kimkats · Jul 25, 2018

I guess if they can show it all works then you could take the chance. If they cannot show it works then walk away.

sktn77a · Jul 25, 2018

Problem with most pool equipment is that you never know if it works (well, or at all) until after you've gone through the effort of installing it. Pumps leak or don't pump properly, filters leak, heaters leak or won't start, etc, etc.

tstex · Jul 26, 2018

if you do not have reliable, veracious maintenance and operating records...take a walk. if the heat-exchanger is bad, heater is gone...

The only way I would buy used equip is if I knew the person to be trustworthy and knew how they took care of it, or from a pool maintenance person that I trusted who had taken care of it that I trusted.

As mentioned, you're not going to know how it works until it's installed, which is when the surprises start...by then you've committed install funds and new plumbing, which would change again w new equip in a few days..

Do you know the person or the equip history? Also, why are they selling it ?

30packofstrohs · Jul 27, 2018

Don't know the person selling the equipment. They said they have not had it hooked up for two years. Closed pool permanently or got rid of it. Its from a classified ad.
They dropped the price now to 650 for all equipment. Nearing end of pool season in my area (midwest) so probably hard to sell.

Only reason I consider it is because I need a pool cleaner and my pump is starting to go had to tap motor with a hammer to get it running. My heater I keep limping along. His heater is newer so that could be bonus. My current heater might be due for a heat exchanger so that might be an expected cost either way. Plus his is higher BTU so faster heat up.

I have reservations buying used pool equipment since as you stated maintenance is key to surviveability. At the price point for all that equipment it seems like it might be worth the gamble.

Hence me asking for view points or thoughts / things to look at before the purchase. All ideas are appreciated.

tstex · Jul 27, 2018

I would offer $450-$500 and inform them bc the risk of it now working or for a short period, assuming it is "as is" no warranty...I would also buy unions so you can plug n play when you have to replace the used stuff it you buy it...hopefully all was stored inside. If its been out for 2 yrs and water was inside anything during freezing winter, it could have damages parts...for sure I would buy some pool silicone and apply it to any gaskets/O-Rings etc, that is, if they are still good...might want to replace them...it's really a dice-roll when you have no working history - good luck

jimmythegreek · Jul 27, 2018

the heater is the big part of this to you, make a pressure test rig and test it and inspect the heat exchanger well. Alot of heaters go bad nowadays in less than 5 years esp if they are dosing pucks like crazy in a pool like we know most do who arent on TFP. my neighbor had his hayward go in 3 years along w bleaching his new liner in 3 years taking care of his own pool the pool store way

PoolguyinCT · Jul 27, 2018

I could probably make 20k a year selling used stuff.. nope right to the dumpster, it never goes well

30packofstrohs · Jul 30, 2018

Thanks all I think the guy might have sold the equipment to some else this weekend. Guess it was not ment to be.

I do have one question what is a pressure test rig? How do i build one? Feel like this could be useful finding the potential plumbing leak I might have.