Pool Heater - No Power!

[NewToPools_Texas]

Hello Everyone!

I have a MasterTemp400 from Pentair. It is approximately 3.75 years old. I went to fire on the heater for the first time this season and discovered that it does not appear to have any power. While I can turn the heat on via the control panel, the heater never actually turns on. It also appears as though I may not be able to turn it on manually (have never needed to do so in the past). What are the steps to troubleshoot?

Note - These issues MAY be related to this thread Pentair EasyTouch - Control Panel & Remote Won't Run Pool

I appreciate your help in getting me back and operational.

Thanks,

 

[ajw22]

Is your heater connected to an Easy Touch (ET) system?

Which control panel are you referring to - on the heater or the ET?

The ET controls the heater by using what is called the “firemans switch”. That is a low voltage connection that controls if the heater powers or not. So if the ET is not commanding the heater on or the wire is not properly connected to the heater it will look like the heater has no power.

You will find the manual here —> https://www.pentair.com/content/dam...ater_Installation_and_Users_Guide_English.pdf

See page 30 for the firemans switch connection.

 

[NewToPools_Texas]

Hi there,
I don't see any power, or light on the actual heater. I was referencing the control panel on the ET . The heater light does come on, and the LCD panel does say the heater is enabled with the temperature but it does not power on. This one may be over my head without step by step instructions, or pictures. I did look at the ET control board (Pentair 520657) and there is some strange gray discoloration near the heater section.

 

[ajw22]

There will not be any power or lights on the heater when the “firemans switch” that the ET controls is off.

First thing to check is that wire between the heater and the ET control panel. Details are in the manual I linked to in post #2.

 

[NewToPools_Texas]

Hi there. I did take a part the heater so I could get to the panel to check the "firemans switch" … while I have no basis for understanding, it does appear it is setup correctly. I'm attaching a photo for reference. Thoughts on how to troubleshoot?

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I can’t see from the photos whether the fuse is blown. Is it? And did you check the circuit breaker for the heater?

“Fireman’s switch” is as much of a misnomer as “main drain.” If the 2 contacts are shorted together, or the circuit is completed via the ET, the heater gets power. A fireman is as likely to use that “switch” as he is to rescue a kitten from a tree.

 

[ajw22]

Hi there. I did take a part the heater so I could get to the panel to check the "firemans switch" … while I have no basis for understanding, it does appear it is setup correctly. I'm attaching a photo for reference. Thoughts on how to troubleshoot?

You have the black cable that has a white wire and a black wire that are connected with orange wire nuts to the orange wires connected to the fuse and the terminal to the left of the fuse. Disconnect the orange wire nuts and wire nut the two sides of the cut orange wire back together. See if the heater then powers up using it's control panel.

If the heater powers up then it indicates the problem is with the firemans switch connection to the ET.

If the heater does not power up then it indicates the problem is internal to the heater. The start the Troubleshooting flow charts on Page 38 of the manual.

 

[NewToPools_Texas]

Just a quick update for anyone else - had to replace the transformer and thermal regulator to get it back working again. Thanks to all.

 

[chiefwej]

Speaking as a 40 year fireman, I would be much more likely to rescue the kitten. With a heater malfunction a fireman would just turn off the gas supply.