Pentair EasyTouch - 3amp circuit breaker issue - SWG and lights

[GoGoGators]

Hello,

I tried to turn the lights on in the pool last night and they worked until I also turned on the pump. Then I also got a notification saying the SWG (an ichlor40) lost communication. I didn't pay too much attention since it was at night.

I checked this morning and the usual start up schedule started running, but the SWG was off. I checked the panel and the circuit breaker for the 18v relay was in tripped. I tried to reset it, but no luck, it trips again. I checked the 10amp fuse on the ichlor power box and the fuse looks to be ok, but the light on the board was not on. I plan to get a new fuse just in case.

However, I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the lights as they would not turn on either. The separate breaker for the lights appear to not be tripped in case that means anything. I'm just hoping to rule everything out before I have to buy a new salt cell, as it is only 2.5 years old. Any ideas? Am I missing something?

 

[ajw22]

The 18V powers all the high voltage relays in the EasyTouch.

Your lights are controlled by a relay so when the 18V breaker is tripped the lights will not work.

Your SWG is wired to the filter pump relay and when the 18V breaker is tripped the SWG will not be powered.

Read Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

If the 18VAC breaker opens then one of the high voltage relay coils is likely shorted.

Label each relay coil wire and unplug all the relays from their sockets. Reconnect them one at a time to identify the bad relay.




Or a relay driver chip may have shorted. @ogdento can a bad relay driver chip pop the 18V breaker?

 

[GoGoGators]

The 18V powers all the high voltage relays in the EasyTouch.

Your lights are controlled by a relay so when the 18V breaker is tripped the lights will not work.

Your SWG is wired to the filter pump relay and when the 18V breaker is tripped the SWG will not be powered.

Read Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

If the 18VAC breaker opens then one of the high voltage relay coils is likely shorted.

Label each relay coil wire and unplug all the relays from their sockets. Reconnect them one at a time to identify the bad relay.




Or a relay driver chip may have shorted. @ogdento can a bad relay driver chip pop the 18V breaker?

Thank you. I'll try unplugging all of them and go one by one. If it trips with all 3 relays removed, I'm guessing it could mean the relay driver chip?

 

[ajw22]

If it trips with all 3 relays removed, I'm guessing it could mean the relay driver chip?

I think so. I want to hear what @ogdento says.

The relay driver chips are socketed and replaceable.

 

[ogdento]

it could... usually I've seen an individual driver output blow short or open, but if the common pin 10 (where the 18vac - converted to 24vdc - connects to control the relay) has internally shorted to pin 9 (ground), then it'll blow the breaker for sure.

I would shut down, pop out the two socketed driver chips and power it up again to see if the 18vac still trips.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Go,

Make sure you look at how the chips are installed before removing them.. It is always good to put them back the right way...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[GoGoGators]

Go,

Make sure you look at how the chips are installed before removing them.. It is always good to put them back the right way...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks. I took a picture to make sure I remember how it is supposed to be installed. I tested it out earlier and the breaker still gets tripped with all relays unplugged. The I unscrewed the board to take a look and it seems like one of them got fried. Either way, I should probably replace both while I'm at it.

 

[ogdento]

Nice! Replacing them both is faster than trying to test the unburned one (but it may be ok).

Hopefully the new chips fix you up and the breaker stays closed... Let us know if your aux circuits work after you replace them.

 

[GoGoGators]

Nice! Replacing them both is faster than trying to test the unburned one (but it may be ok).

Hopefully the new chips fix you up and the breaker stays closed... Let us know if your aux circuits work after you replace them.

Thank you and everyone else who posted here. I have great news to report. Replacing the chips did the trick and everything is back in working order. It was pretty easy and straightforward. Not to mention $10 for a pack of the chips versus the ridiculous going price for a new salt cell...whew!

Thanks again!

 

[ogdento]

Thanks for closing this out and letting us know it worked!