Sta-Rite Heater Test

[ellislaw1]

I plan to install a new control board and switch membrane for my 11-year-old Sta-Rite heater tonight because at the end of last season, my pool company said they were both defective. However, my pool will not be opened until next month.

My question is, once I install the new board and membrane, what will I be able to test without any water flowing through the heater? Can I plug the heater in and try out the toggle switches on the membrane to see if the display works? Is it ok to hit the "heater on" button with no water flowing? Is there anything else I can test now to make sure I installed these parts correctly and that they are working?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Pool Clown]

you can turn it on with no water running through it, although you will get a service system light right away (after it boots up).