Does that scorched pin align with the black wire? The symptom of this known issue (to us
and Pentair) is a dead IC, not the miscommunication you are experiencing. But I suppose it could conceivably be the problem. The IC is pulling too much current through that connector, and it fries. Pentair claims this is only a problem for their IC60 model (which draws more current than the IC40), but you're at least the third one of us that's had it happen with an IC40 (and I think there are others). While I'm not convinced this could affect comm's, it might be worth finding out.
This is DIY repairable. I just finished repairing mine. And
@Flying Tivo repaired his too, as have others here. Both myself and Tivo admitted this repair challenged our soldering skills, even though we're both pretty good at soldering. So it's not super easy. I wrote up how I repaired mine, if you care to give that a read.
Here.
Know that this symptom may or may not be causing the COM problem, and currently it's not causing the dead IC problem it's known for. So you could replace your IpH, still have the COM problem, and eventually the new one's connector could burn out, too. And you'll be right back where you started, minus a few bills. I know, sucks, right?
If this were me, and I wasn't willing or able to try the repair myself, I might first find someone that could do it.
@ogdento, would you take on this repair job? Or you might find someone local that could do it. An appliance/electronics repair shop maybe, or fish around on Craig's List. It might be as little as $100, vs what, 3 or 4 for a new IpH Controller? Something to think about. Even if that doesn't fix the COM problem, you'll be repairing the other known issue, which is lurking in your IpH, ready to strike someday. I contend that the repair I performed eliminates this issue permanently because I removed the connector and soldered the wires directly to the circuit board (which is what you'd want someone else to do). If that turns out to be true, then, at least for me, fixing the problem is a better solution than buying a new one.
OK, so I've exhausted my tips for troubleshooting the COM problem, because I don't know myself how to troubleshoot the electronics beyond that connector problem. So here is an alternative solution, that you can try before you buy a new IpH controller. I would buy a new IC first. Here's why. I've seen first hand a COM problem with an IC, acting similarly to what yours is doing. Which is why I'm preparing you that fixing or replacing the IpH might not fix the COM. If you buy a new IC, and that solves the COM problem, then you know (A) it's not the IpH, and (B) is was the old IC. If a new IC
doesn't fix the COM problem, you're not really out any money yet. The IC is a consumable part. It produces chlorine for about 10,000 hours and then it's done, you throw it away and buy a new one. You WILL be purchasing a new IC at some point in the future. That is a given. Maybe soon, maybe in 3, 4 or 5 years. So even if a new IC doesn't fix your COM problem, you'll still be able to use both ICs for as long as each last. ICs have been increasing in price, even before the supply-chain/inflation problem. Will they come down in price, or continue to get more expensive? One could argue that buying a second one now might even be advantageous economically. And thirdly, if it turns out they're both fine, having a back-up IC is good thing. One of them is going to quit on you, either because it dies, or because it gets used up. You'll already have one to take it's place, with no downtime. Currently, some of the models are hard to get (supply chain, probably). If you have a backup onsite, you'll be immune to any future supply issues. So there you go, several reasons to try replacing the IC first.
Then if the COM problem still exists, you can then replace the IpH, or try to get it fixed. I would do the latter, for the reason I stated above.
Stuff to sort out, for sure. Let me know if I can be of further help. I've called in another member, who can do magic with circuit boards. He worked on one of mine, so I can vouch for him. Maybe he'll want to fix your connector, so at least wait for that reply.
Sorry, just ranting...
github.com
