Intellichlor burned up.

[WildCJ5]

I have a Pentair Intellichlor IC40 that burned itself up.

I am pretty sure the failure was from a faulty fuse. The system has one of the push to reset fuses. It was stuck and did not switch to open causing the salt generator to burn a hole in itself.

This happened a few months ago. I kept smelling slight electrical burning in the back yard but thought it was the neighbor.

I have since replaced the fuse and I am getting ready to order a new generator. Is there anything else I should be checking before instal and should I go with the same model? The bad on is from 2015 or 2016.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ajw22]

What is your salt level?

How do you test your salt level?

Do you use a Taylor K-1766 salt test kit?

 

[WildCJ5]

I have not tested the salt level in the past few months, since it burned. But it was right at the correct level, I forget the number. I was going through adding salt over the summer because it was extremely low.

When I opened up the unit after it burned the plates had a lot of buildup. It had been 5-6 months since the last service.

Like I said in the original post the fuse never popped. I am assuming that fuse was from 07 when the pool was built.

Thanks again

 

[WildCJ5]

Sorry, you asked what kit. I don’t know. I do have a pool guy that checks the chemistry and does weekly cleaning. My work schedule gets crazy so it is convenient.

 

[Newdude]

Moisture likely got into the electronics on a 7 year old unit. The build date is on a sticker under the unit.

The fuse not blowing it is a separate issue and likely not responsible. It might not have even needed to blow depending on where the fuse is, and what the problem was.

Before having someone install a new one, have them verify the correct DC voltage at the power supply. It would suck to fry a new one if the power supply was the problem.

 

[WildCJ5]

^^^ Thanks, that was my concern was slapping in a new one and letting the smoke out.

Any idea what the output voltage should be? I am not much of an electronics guy but I can read a volt meter.

 

[Newdude]

39v DC if I recall correctly. Hang tight for Allen. He's a whiz with this stuff.

Fill out your signature with pool detalis and equipment / model #s when you get a minute.

 

[WildCJ5]

Awesome thanks.

I will for sure add in my equipment. I have no idea how many gallons it is.

 

[Newdude]

I have no idea how many gallons it is.

Me either. You never invited me over.

But 15x36 plaster free-form with XYZ. ABC. LMNOP. Etc etc.... goes a loooooong way for us helping.

 

[ajw22]

Check your salt level with the K-1766 before hooking up the new SWG. High salt levels can glitch a cell and could have contributed to your cell drawing too many amps and then the fuse not opening causing the burnup.

Voltage on the Intellichlor varies between 24V-40V. I don't think you are going to be able to check the voltage without hooking up a cell and engaging the flow switch.

Burnups is typically not a voltage problem but a high amperage problem which you can't observe until the cell is in operation.

 

[ajw22]

intellichlor power center transformer specs

I was given an INtellichlor IC40 cell. It looks to be in good shape but to use it I need a Power Center. Looking at the PDF the power center is simply a transformer. Does any one know the specs for it. Volts, Amps would be enough to get going. Does the power center provide Dc or just raw AC I...

www.troublefreepool.com

Output: 22-39 VDC @ 6 AMPS maximum from the Power Center.

The voltage between the red and black wire on the connector (J7) going to the cell is about 40 volts DC..

 

[WildCJ5]

That helps a ton. Thank you.

Either way I need a new one so will go today and get the kit to check levels and order a unit.

 

[WildCJ5]

A few pictures until I get my sig filled out correctly.