Pentair Intellichlor IC40 no Power, pops fuse!

[stedgar]

Hello. My found out today that my IC40 was dead, no lights. Opened panel and observed the circuit breaker was tripped. When I reset the circuit breaker, I hear a hum and then the breaker pops instantly. I unplugged the IC40 and tried to reset the breaker. Same results. I am thinking that the IC board is the problem, which of course is mounted in the upper right side of the panel. Or could it be the transformer? Thoughts?

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

Could be the transformer, but I doubt it.. Unplug the single red wire in the middle of the board and see if the breaker still pops.

If the transformer was bad it would pop one of the big circuit breakers..

If you have a volt meter, you can measure the transformer's output between the two red wires going from the transformer and fuse to the surge card.. Should be about 24 Volt AC.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[stedgar]

Thank you Jim. I spoke to Tech Support at Pentair, they seem to think it is the transformer. I have to pull out the 2 wire legs that go from the transformer to the breaker and the board and test them to see if I get 22 to 39 volts AC. If I do not get those readings, then the transformer is bad. If I get those readings, then the IC board is bad. You agree with that?

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

Yes.. That is what I was trying to say.. Test the output (secondary side) of the transformer by measuring the AC voltage on the two red wires going to the Surge card.. One red wire is from the transformer and the other red wire comes from the transformer through the little fuse and then to the surge card.

I guess I have more faith in their transformers than Pentair does... If the large breaker feeding the transformer popped then I would suspect the transformer.. Since it is the little breaker that is popping, that means that the surge card is drawing too much current.

That is my theory anyway.. Test it and see what you get.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[stedgar]

Jim,

Tested the 2 outputs from the transformer and the reading was 31 volts. This is inline with the spec. So, it appears to be the IC board. So the hunt is on for a new board.

Thank you Jim for your help.

Steve

 

[Jimrahbe]

Steve,

Here is one place...

Amazon.com : Pentair 521218 Load Center IntelliChlor SCG Surge Board PCBA : Swimming Pool And Spa Supplies : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Pentair 521218 Load Center IntelliChlor SCG Surge Board PCBA : Swimming Pool And Spa Supplies : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[mknauss]

Jim 1. Pentair 0.

 

[stedgar]

Update. Surge board came in today. Prior to taking the panel apart, went and pulled the IC40 off and acid washed the plates. All clean now. Took panel apart and replaced the surge board. Put every thing back together, turned power on and fired up the pump. All works great! Thanks again Jim!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Steve,

Good job...

You should stick around and see how we run our Saltwater pools..

If you have not done so already, take a good read through our Pool School...

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

FC/CYA Levels

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Mackman68]

Thanks for this post, I just went through the same problem and followed the instructions and my surge board is apparently bad. I had 26v at the small breaker. Ordering the baked today

 

[ibrennan]

I have this same exact problem, however I don't think the entire SWG "surge board" is bad. It seems like the rectifier has a bad diode in it. I'm going to order a new rectifier and solder it to the board, it's a lot less than the $300 for a new board. I'll update this post with the results when I get the part.

You can get a new rectifier here: MB251W-BP Micro Commercial Co | Discrete Semiconductor Products | DigiKey

 

[ibrennan]

Update - I replaced the rectifier for under $3 and the surge board is working fine again.

 

[Forty_Mike_Mike]

Update - I replaced the rectifier for under $3 and the surge board is working fine again.

I think I'm in a similar boat. I had hoped to just replace the board, but they are on national backorder from everywhere. I'd love to get your thoughts on how to diagnose the rectifier.