Looking for some ideas on this problem I'm running into. At this point it's getting really expensive. Background. I had some sort of surge or short when it appears water from a HEAVY storm may have splashed onto both of the incoming 120va wire caps inside the heater. One of the caps was visibly wet.. I’m not sure it was the cause but it was suspect. The breaker had also flipped. The main board also had a roasted slug on it, but no burn marks. After some testing determined the Transformer and the Power Distribution Circuit Board had blown, I’ve included some pics so you can see. I was hoping that was the extent of the damage. After installing the replacements I had power, LCD, but during the startup process the igniter would not get hot. Ok, so the Fenwal Ignition Controller must also be bad. Next I picked up a “used” Fenwal Ignition Control off amazon at a nice discount. Installed that, and everything fired up and all appeared to be great and we had heat.
24hrs later, I try and fire up the heater and during its startup process the new transformer melts down and burns up with white smoke. I have a replacement transformer on the way, but I’m looking for some suggestions on what could have caused my new one to burn up. I assume either the “used” Fenwal Ignition Controller is faulty and pulling too much amperage on the transformer, or the main board is faulty. It’s really strange that it worked for 24hrs and even fired up. The fact that it did not melt down until I turned on the heat makes me suspect the used Fenwal I purchased. I guess it’s possible that all of this was caused by the roasted slug and not the water… ugh. I don’t know.
I’ve included pics of the carnage and one of the main board complete with roasted slug. I’ve also included a bonus pic of the faulty Fenwal Ignition Controller opened up so you could see. I wanted to avoid replacing the main board, but as expensive as these transformers are I think I may need to replace the Fenwal with a new one, and the main board. Basically the entire setup. Thanks for any tips!
24hrs later, I try and fire up the heater and during its startup process the new transformer melts down and burns up with white smoke. I have a replacement transformer on the way, but I’m looking for some suggestions on what could have caused my new one to burn up. I assume either the “used” Fenwal Ignition Controller is faulty and pulling too much amperage on the transformer, or the main board is faulty. It’s really strange that it worked for 24hrs and even fired up. The fact that it did not melt down until I turned on the heat makes me suspect the used Fenwal I purchased. I guess it’s possible that all of this was caused by the roasted slug and not the water… ugh. I don’t know.
I’ve included pics of the carnage and one of the main board complete with roasted slug. I’ve also included a bonus pic of the faulty Fenwal Ignition Controller opened up so you could see. I wanted to avoid replacing the main board, but as expensive as these transformers are I think I may need to replace the Fenwal with a new one, and the main board. Basically the entire setup. Thanks for any tips!