Description

The Raypak 006716F is the genuine OEM bypass valve for Raypak gas pool heaters, molded in Capron. Raypak lists it for the R185A, R265A, R335A and R405A, and it also appears across the RP2100 digital B models, the 206A through 406A atmospheric heaters, the 207A through 407A low NOx heaters and the Model 130A.

What it does

A pool heater does not want every gallon the pump moves to go through the heat exchanger. The bypass sends part of the flow around it, so the water crossing the tubes stays inside the range the exchanger was designed for. Get that wrong and you either fail to transfer heat or you cook the tubes.

When to change it

Valves in this position live in hot, treated water and eventually distort, crack or stop seating. Replacing the valve is cheap next to a heat exchanger, so it is worth doing as soon as it looks tired rather than waiting.