Pentair EasyTouch Surge Board Burned With Box Completely Covered In Black Residue

[Blair3103]

I have a Pentair EasyTouch panel installed in 2014, along with the ic40. It’s been working fine until recently I noticed my salt level dropping faster than normal on several occasions. Today, after manually vacuuming the pool, I noticed there were no lights showing on the IC40. Walking up to the panel I could smell something burning. While inspecting the Easytouch panel I discovered the surge board was burnt on the top left corner and the
SCG/power supply transformer had a substance leaking out on the sides. I also noticed the system transformer seemed have a slight leak as well. In addition, the box itself is covered in black residue. Can anyone tell me if I replace those 3 parts, would this likely happen again? Anyone know what would potentially cause this? Could it be from water damage due to rain?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

I have a Pentair EasyTouch panel installed in 2014, along with the ic40. It’s been working fine until recently I noticed my salt level dropping faster than normal on several occasions. Today, after manually vacuuming the pool, I noticed there were no lights showing on the IC40. Walking up to the panel I could smell something burning. While inspecting the Easytouch panel I discovered the surge board was burnt on the top left corner and the
SCG/power supply transformer had a substance leaking out on the sides. I also noticed the system transformer seemed have a slight leak as well. In addition, the box itself is covered in black residue.

That is not at all a common problem.

Can anyone tell me if I replace those 3 parts, would this likely happen again?

No one can predict the future except some of the folks in NOLA.

Anyone know what would potentially cause this?

My guess is your cell took a lightning strike.

Could it be from water damage due to rain?

I doubt it. Any sign of water in the panel?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Blair,

Show us some pics..

While the transformers could be bad, they don't go bad very often, so you might want to test a little first.

Keep in mind that it is possible for the cell to go bad and cause the surge card to die.

How old is the cell?? Most cells last 5 to 7 years, so just saying...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Blair3103]

Blair,

Show us some pics..

While the transformers could be bad, they don't go bad very often, so you might want to test a little first.

Keep in mind that it is possible for the cell to go bad and cause the surge card to die.

How old is the cell?? Most cells last 5 to 7 years, so just saying...

Thanks,

Jim R.

The cell is less than 2 years old. I can take more if this doesn't work.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Blair,

Obviously, the Surge card is toast..

First one I have seen like that...

I would pull the two red wires that have the low voltage AC input to the card and test to see what you get. It should be about 24 to 30 volts AC. You have to test between the two red wires with them disconnected from the surge card. This input voltage runs through one of the small circuit breakers in the upper right of the EasyTouch. You have to be in Auto and the pool or spa mode before the transformer will get power.

I'd also want to inspect the clear connector going to the cell, we have seen them heat up and go bad, but it appears ok in your pic.

If the low volts input is ok and the clear connector looks ok, I'd clean things up and replace the surge card and see if the cell powered up.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Blair3103]

Blair,

Obviously, the Surge card is toast..

First one I have seen like that...

I would pull the two red wires that have the low voltage AC input to the card and test to see what you get. It should be about 24 to 30 volts AC. You have to test between the two red wires with them disconnected from the surge card. This input voltage runs through one of the small circuit breakers in the upper right of the EasyTouch. You have to be in Auto and the pool or spa mode before the transformer will get power.

I'd also want to inspect the clear connector going to the cell, we have seen them heat up and go bad, but it appears ok in your pic.

If the low volts input is ok and the clear connector looks ok, I'd clean things up and replace the surge card and see if the cell powered up.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you greatly for your help!!!!! Is it normal for the transformer to have leakage?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Blair,

The heat sometimes causing the wire coating to seep out.

That said it will either work or not. If you power up the transformer and you get 24 to 30 Volts AC, then it should be ok.

If you get zero volts or 120 volts, then obviously it will need to be replaced.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Blair3103]

While going to check voltage, I found where the fire started.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Blair,

It is hard to tell in your pic, but did one of the input pins burn in half?

I suspect that one of the voltage regulators shorted to ground and this caused the current to go way up. Should have popped the little breaker.

A dead short could cause the transformer to fail, but not necessarily as that is a good sized transformer. It will either work or not. Not much in between.

Thanks,

Jim R.