Pentair Mastertemp 300 Issues E-01 and switches to SPA

[Scampa123]

My Pentair MasterTemp 300 heater recently stopped working.

here are the symptoms:

1. When I press Pool, it automatically switches to SPA (we do not own a spa!)
2. The heater will start and run for maybe 30 seconds then stop with error code E-01
3. Service heater light is on
4. I've also seen where I turn it on and I hear a click (solenoid?) and then goes straight to E-01

What I've tried:

1. Researched E-01, found a thermistor replacement and installed
2. inspected the internals of the heater (nothing seems chewed on!)
3. removed top to view back of control board
4. i see LED7 and LED11 lit ....not sure what they indicate

I figured I'd consult the forum and maybe call Pentair before replacing anything else since things begin to get more expensive quickly!

i think it is odd that when I press "pool" is auto switches to Spa....And then the fact that I still get E-01 after replacing the thermistor with a new one...

Does anyone have any ideas on what may be happening?

thank you!!

 

[JamesW]

I suspect that you're going to need:
42002-0007S Control Board and
472610Z Membrane Pad.

 

[Scampa123]

I suspect that you're going to need:
42002-0007S Control Board and
472610Z Membrane Pad.

Thank you! What makes you think it's the membrane and the control board, combined, failing? Is that normal for them both to go at the same time? The unit was installed back in July of 2015 so it is just slightly over 2yrs old...

thanks again!!

 

[JamesW]

I think that the control board is the likely problem. I would try that first.

Maybe file a warranty claim and ask Pentair to cover the part.

 

[ps0303]

Warranty period is over with on this unit but you could try. Bad control board most likely. Also, it really doesn't matter if you you use the pool or the spa button. What matters is that you can set the temp and it heats.

 

[Pool Clown]

When you push the pool button on the heater, does it switch to spa immediately? Or does it do this after a while? If it is switching to spa after a while, I would hold off on a new board, put it into pool heat, then disconnect the touch pad from the board (ribbon cable plugged in to the board), and see how it acts for a while. If everything seems ok, then just replace the touch pad. Touch pad is 60~90 dollars, new board is 250~300. probably not returnable either (i know i wouldn't accept a return). Even if it is switching immediately, i wouldn't rule out the touch pad.

Do you still have the cover for the touch pad intact on the heater? Do you cover the touch pad after you use the touch pad? That cover is extremely important in keeping the UV rays off the touch pad. If left uncovered, you can kill a touch pad in as little as a season. Failed or failing touch pad displays the symptoms you are having.

How does your touch pad look? Depending on how old the heater is, a new touch pad may be a good investment either way...

 

[JamesW]

The E-01 shouldn't be the membrane. Switching to Spa might be. Both issues could be due to a bad control board.