Raypak Protek Sacrificial Anode - Replacement Kit
Raypak Protek Sacrificial Anode - Replacement Kit is temporarily out of stock and will ship as soon as it's available.
Don't Guess - Ask Us!
Don't Guess - Ask Us!
Not sure if it’s the right part? Send us a message and a photo of what you’re replacing, or what you need, and we’ll help make sure you get the right part the first time.
Delivery and Shipping Info*
Delivery and Shipping Info*
Free Shipping over $99 for most products. Choose Express Post for fastest shipping!
Raypak Protek Sacrificial Anode - Replacement Kit
Raypak Protek Sacrificial Anode - Replacement Kit is temporarily out of stock and will ship as soon as it's available.
Raypak Protek Sacrificial Anode - Replacement Kit
Replacement Anode kit for current Raypak Gas Heaters. Commonly corrode due to electrical stray currents, or imbalanced pool water. Used on later models Raypak 200, Raypak 280, Raypak 350, Raypak 430 gas pool and spa heaters.
- Physically Stocked, unlike most "drop-shipping" websites.
- Shipped from VIC, NSW, WA, QLD
Should be replaced with annual service every 12 months. Inspect regularly.
The Raypak ProTek Shield is the sacrificial zinc anode assembly fitted to later Raypak Residential gas pool and spa heaters. It is designed to corrode preferentially, helping protect the heater's cupro-nickel heat exchanger against galvanic corrosion. The ProTek is a consumable service component and should be inspected regularly. This is a genuine Rheem / Raypak Protek anode.
Physically stocked in Australia for fast dispatch or local pick-up, unlike many drop-shipping websites. Shipped from VIC, NSW, QLD and WA.
Raypak ProTek Shield Replacement Anode - Quick Reference
| Function | Sacrificial zinc anode for galvanic corrosion protection |
| Location | Water inlet header / manifold |
| Connection | ProTek bonding lead must be correctly reconnected after replacement |
| Service | Inspect during heater servicing and more frequently where previous anodes have deteriorated, scaled or swollen rapidly |
| Suitable water | Chlorinated, salt and mineral pools operated within Raypak's published water-balance limits |
Which Raypak Heaters Use the ProTek Shield?
The ProTek Shield is used on later Australian Raypak Residential gas pool and spa heaters, including:
- Raypak 200 - P0200 / P0200A
- Raypak 280 - P0280 / P0280A
- Raypak 350 - P0350 / P0350A
- Raypak 430 - P0430 / P0430A
Earlier Raypak heaters and other Raypak ranges may use a different manifold or may not use a ProTek Shield. If unsure, compare your existing assembly before ordering or send us a clear photo of the heater model plate and inlet manifold.
What Does the Raypak ProTek Shield Do?
Pool heater water circuits contain conductive water and dissimilar metals. The ProTek introduces a sacrificial zinc component into the system so the zinc preferentially corrodes, helping protect the more valuable cupro-nickel heat exchanger.
Some deterioration of the zinc is therefore normal. A ProTek that is progressively being consumed is doing the job it was designed to do.
The bonding connection is also important to its operation. Always reconnect the ProTek bonding lead correctly when replacing the assembly.
When Should a Raypak ProTek Anode Be Replaced?
Replace the ProTek assembly if it is:
- substantially eroded or consumed
- deeply pitted or heavily corroded
- cracked or physically damaged
- heavily encrusted with mineral or corrosion deposits
- visibly enlarged or "swollen"
- distorting or cracking the clear housing
- placing pressure on the heater manifold
A swollen ProTek should not be judged by its outside diameter alone. A thick deposit can make the assembly larger even while the metallic zinc underneath is being consumed.
Why Can a Raypak ProTek Anode Appear to Grow?
Zinc metal itself is not growing. In some heaters we have inspected, the ProTek develops a thick white, grey or chalky deposit that makes the anode assembly progressively larger.
Our current technical view is that two processes may contribute:
1. Zinc corrosion products.
As the sacrificial zinc dissolves, insoluble zinc corrosion products can form. In chloride-containing water these may include zinc oxide, hydroxide, hydroxychloride and carbonate-containing compounds. Some zinc corrosion products occupy substantially more volume than the metallic zinc from which they formed.
2. Mineral deposition.
Electrochemical reactions within the galvanic system can create highly alkaline conditions immediately adjacent to cathodic surfaces. This can cause calcium carbonate and, where sufficient magnesium is present, magnesium hydroxide to precipitate from the water.
Representative reactions include:
Zinc oxidation: Zn → Zn2+ + 2e−
Cathodic oxygen reduction: O2 + 2H2O + 4e− → 4OH−
Possible magnesium hydroxide precipitation: Mg2+ + 2OH− → Mg(OH)2(s)
The result can be counter-intuitive: the zinc is being consumed while the accumulated corrosion products and mineral deposits make the ProTek appear larger.
In severe cases we have seen swollen ProTek assemblies crack their clear housing and, occasionally, place sufficient pressure on the surrounding polymer manifold to damage it.
Magnesium and Mineral Salt Pools
WWDG field observations, discussions with gas technicians and returned ProTek assemblies, we appear to see swollen or heavily encrusted anodes disproportionately often in pools using magnesium-containing mineral salts.
This is currently a field observation and proposed mechanism, not a claim that magnesium chloride itself causes ProTek failure.
The chemistry does, however, provide a plausible explanation. A conventional sodium chloride pool contains very little magnesium compared with a pool deliberately dosed with magnesium chloride. If local electrochemical conditions become sufficiently alkaline, magnesium-rich water provides a much larger source of Mg2+ from which magnesium hydroxide can precipitate.
Other factors including pH, calcium hardness, alkalinity, temperature, water flow, chloride concentration and electrical conditions may all influence the rate and type of deposit formation.
Important: Calcium Hardness Is Not Total Hardness
This is particularly important in magnesium and mineral pools.
Total hardness and calcium hardness are not the same measurement. Total hardness includes hardness contributed by both calcium and magnesium. In a magnesium-rich pool, the total-hardness reading can therefore be substantially higher than the actual calcium-hardness concentration.
Raypak's published water-balance specifications and the Langelier Saturation Index use calcium hardness. Do not substitute a total-hardness result for calcium hardness when balancing a mineral pool or calculating LSI.
If there is any doubt, obtain a test that separately determines calcium hardness.
Raypak Australia Water Balance Limits
Rheem Australia's Owner's Guide for Raypak Pool & Spa Gas Heaters publishes the following water-balance limits:
| Parameter | Fibreglass Pool under 31°C |
Fibreglass Spa over 31°C |
Other Pools & Spas |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.3 - 7.4 | 7.3 - 7.4 | 7.6 - 7.8 |
| Total alkalinity | 120 - 150 ppm | 120 - 150 ppm | 80 - 120 ppm |
| Calcium hardness | 200 - 300 ppm | 200 - 300 ppm | 200 - 400 ppm |
| Salt | 6,000 ppm maximum | 6,000 ppm maximum | 6,000 ppm maximum |
| Free chlorine | 2 - 3 ppm | 2 - 3 ppm | 2 - 3 ppm |
| Langelier Saturation Index | ±0.3 | ±0.3 | ±0.3 |
Raypak also specifies that free chlorine must not exceed 4 ppm and free bromine must not exceed 5 ppm. Refer to the Owner's Guide supplied with your heater for the applicable requirements.
Do not deliberately drive pH, alkalinity or calcium hardness outside Raypak's specifications in an attempt to prevent ProTek deposits. Incorrect water balance can damage the heat exchanger and other components.
Rapid ProTek Deterioration: Check More Than Water Chemistry
If a ProTek deteriorates, scales or enlarges unusually quickly, the electrical installation should also be investigated.
A qualified technician should check:
- the ProTek bonding lead and connection
- heater and pool equipment bonding and earthing as applicable
- salt or mineral chlorinator installation and cell condition
- pumps and electrical equipment for faults or leakage current
- unexplained electrical potential between equipment components
Stray electrical current does not make zinc metal physically grow, but abnormal electrical conditions can alter corrosion rates and should be investigated where sacrificial anodes are deteriorating unusually quickly.
Installation and Servicing
Raypak Australia specifies annual servicing of its Residential and Premium pool and spa heaters by a qualified service technician. Inspection of the ProTek is sensible whenever the heater is serviced, particularly where the previous anode has deteriorated rapidly.
- Stop the circulation pump and isolate the heater before removing the ProTek.
- Remove and reconnect the ProTek bonding lead correctly.
- Ensure the replacement O-ring is correctly seated.
- Do not over-tighten the ProTek assembly or damage the polymer manifold.
- Check the assembly for water leaks after restarting circulation.
Common Questions
Why is my Raypak ProTek getting bigger?
The zinc itself is not growing. Zinc corrosion products and mineral deposits can accumulate around the sacrificial anode, making the assembly larger while the zinc underneath continues to be consumed.
Can magnesium salt contribute to the deposit?
Potentially. In magnesium-rich water, sufficiently alkaline conditions at electrochemically active surfaces can precipitate magnesium hydroxide. Our field observations suggest heavy ProTek deposits occur more frequently in some magnesium mineral pools, although this has not yet been established as the sole cause.
Can a swollen ProTek crack the manifold?
Severe enlargement can place mechanical pressure on the clear ProTek housing and surrounding polymer manifold. We have encountered assemblies where swelling was associated with cracking of these components.
Does a mineral pool need a separate calcium-hardness test?
It may. Total hardness includes both calcium and magnesium and should not automatically be used as the calcium-hardness figure in an LSI calculation.
How often should the ProTek be checked?
Inspect it during scheduled heater servicing and more frequently where previous anodes have scaled, swollen or deteriorated rapidly.
Before You Order
Confirm that your heater is fitted with a ProTek Shield before ordering. This replacement is principally associated with later Australian Raypak Residential 200, 280, 350 and 430 gas pool and spa heaters.
Not sure? Send Heater & Spa Parts a clear photo of the heater model plate and inlet manifold. We stock Raypak heaters and replacement parts and can usually identify the correct assembly from a photo.
To the layperson, plumbing sizes and their names can be confusing due to the nominal sizes and naming conventions used.
This is not something we made up. Plumbers and manufacturers have used nominal (meaning ‘by name only’) sizing for decades.
Simply put, in plumbing, named sizes are often not the actual measurements of the pipe, fitting, or part. A PVC pipe called “50mm” or “2"” does not measure 50 mm anywhere. Instead, it follows nominal sizing, an internationally-standardised naming system.
Almost all fittings we use in the pool & spa industry use “pressure PVC” pipe & fittings. Do not confuse with “DWV” or other pipe & fittings and their names and sizes.
Use the Outside Diameter (OD) to check your pipe against fittings. Below is a quick reference for common spa & pool pipe sizes:
| Imperial Name | Metric Name | Pipe Diameter (OD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 15mm | ~21.2–21.5 mm |
| 3/4" | 20mm | ~26.6–26.9 mm |
| 1" | 25 mm | ~33.4–33.7 mm |
| 1.5" | 40 mm | ~48.1–48.4 mm |
| 2" | 50 mm | ~60.2–60.8 mm |
| 2.5" | 65 mm | ~75.2–75.5 mm |
To reiterate, these are nominal sizes and are designed to fit matching fittings — not to measure what their name suggests. These are based on PVC Pressure Pipe AS/NZ 1477 Dimensions1.
- º Internal diameters vary slightly by manufacturer and class.
- 1 Not all pool/spa fittings match these dimensions exactly. Some do not follow Australian or international standards. Chinese spas may use proprietary fittings.
Understanding Plumbing Sizes & Nominal Measurements
Plumbing sizes can be confusing. PVC and many other pipe systems use nominal sizes—the size is a name, not the exact measured dimension. This convention is used across most pool and spa systems and other plumbing areas so that pipes and fittings remain compatible.
Why pipe sizes don’t match the measurements
The Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) system standardises pipe dimensions so that pipes, fittings, valves, and accessories interoperate.
Plumbers work with these nominal names every day, but DIYers can be tripped up if they try to match by a tape-measure alone.
How to Measure Pipe Correctly
-
Pipe size is identified by:
- The pipe’s Outside Diameter (OD).
- The fitting’s Inside Diameter (ID) (socket opening).
- Pipe Class / Schedule (e.g., Class 9, 12, 18 or Sch 40) relates to wall thickness and therefore the Internal Diameter (ID) and pressure rating.
- The outside diameter of a fitting is not useful (wall thickness varies by manufacturer).
Hose & Tube Dimensions
Common flexible hose sizes used in pool/spa systems (approximate IDs).
| Imperial Name | Metric Name | Inside Diameter (ID) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8" | 9–10 mm | ~9 mm |
| 3/4" | 19 mm | ~19 mm |
BSP – British Standard Pipe Thread Sizes
BSP thread names are also nominal. The thread OD will not equal the nominal name.
| BSP Thread Size Naming | Outside Diameter (mm / inch) | TPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1/16" BSP | 7.7 mm / 0.304" | 28 |
| 1/8" BSP | 9.7 mm / 0.383" | 28 |
| 1/4" BSP | 13.16 mm / 0.518" | 19 |
| 3/8" BSP | 16.66 mm / 0.656" | 19 |
| 1/2" BSP / 15 mm | 20.99 mm / 0.825" | 14 |
| 5/8" BSP | 22.99 mm / 0.902" | 14 |
| 3/4" BSP / 20 mm | 26.44 mm / 1.041" | 14 |
| 7/8" BSP | 30.20 mm / 1.189" | 14 |
| 1" BSP / 25 mm | 33.25 mm / 1.309" | 11 |
| 1-1/4" BSP | 41.91 mm / 1.650" | 11 |
| 1-1/2" BSP / 40 mm | 47.80 mm / 1.882" | 11 |
| 2" BSP / 50 mm | 59.61 mm / 2.347" | 11 |
| 2-1/4" BSP | 65.71 mm / 2.587" | 11 |
| 2-1/2" BSP | 75.18 mm / 2.960" | 11 |
| 3" BSP | 87.88 mm / 3.460" | 11 |
| 4" BSP | 113.03 mm / 4.450" | 11 |
| 5" BSP | 138.43 mm / 5.450" | 11 |
| 6" BSP | 163.83 mm / 6.450" | 11 |
Payment & Security
We accept: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ShopPay, Paypal, Zip, Afterpay
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
AS2415026
