Problem with Pentair IC40 SWG

[Yorker]

Hi TFP!

FYI, our pool build was completed in 2017.

I’ve been avoiding a number of repairs that seem/are above what I believe I’m capable of. I wanted to reach out and see if anyone could give me some tips so I’m not taken advantage of by the repair people who will be coming out next week. I’m going to post our other pool issues in separate posts.

SALT WATER GENERATOR (Pentair IC40 replaced under warranty about 5 years ago)

A few months ago I realized that our cell was not working. I clean the cell every few months. I checked it and and it was spanking clean. Then I realized that the “fuse?” in the upper right corner of was tripped (see attached photo). I reset it, started everything up and I heard a clicking sound from that area, then a pop, and it tripped.

The SWG breaker in the panel was fine but I still tripped that and reset it. The same thing happened with the “fuse” tripping.

I searched our TFP site, but the areas I would need to test/replace would be uncomfortable for me to service, so since then I just managed the pool as a chlorine pool.

A couple days ago I reconnected the salt cell resent the “fuse” and gave it a try once again. Same thing happened, however this time the ‘fuse” did not trip to the off position instead it seems frozen in the On position.

I contacted our local certified Pentair pool repair guys. We’ve have used them multiple times over the years for warranty work and their repair guy has been great. That is until when he came out 6 months ago to diagnose a light issue. Well, he gave me a bunch of Crud about what was wrong … So I have little trust in him now, AND he is the only guy the company sends out. I requested that the owner get involved, we’ll see if he shows up.

I see that the cost of a new IC40 has gone way up (over $1,400 and probably a few hundred more with their markup). My concern is that they will start with replacing the cell before looking at other things that may be the actual issue.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
York

 

[Jimrahbe]

York,

Here is a quick test you can do...

1. Unscrew the cell from the bottom of the EasyTouch.
2. Reset the breaker (if possible) Needs to be on..
3. Drop the front panel down and look at the card mounted to the back wall of the EasyTouch.
4. See if the little green power led is on..
5. If the led is on, then screw in the cell and see if the breaker pops.. or if the led goes off.

Not much else you can do without the ability to use a voltmeter and do some voltage testing..

Worst case.. After 5 years you most likely need a new cell.. You may need a new Surge card (the one with the led..) and you may need a new breaker.

The Surge card looks something like this..

20160921_115325_resized.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Friday at 8:38 AM

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

I clean the cell every few months.

First tip: If you clean the cell with acid every few months, you are reducing its life span. Read SWG How It Works - Further Reading to learn the proper methods of cleaning a cell if it needs it.

My guess is you need a new cell.

 

[mknauss]

And YOU can install a new cell. It is very easy.
Check with Home - Marina Pool Spa & Patio for a new cell.

 

[Yorker]

York,

Here is a quick test you can do...

1. Unscrew the cell from the bottom of the EasyTouch.
2. Reset the breaker (if possible) Needs to be on..
3. Drop the front panel down and look at the card mounted to the back wall of the EasyTouch.
4. See if the little green power led is on..
5. If the led is on, then screw in the cell and see if the breaker pops.. or if the led goes off.

Not much else you can do without the ability to use a voltmeter and do some voltage testing..

Worst case.. After 5 years you most likely need a new cell.. You may need a new Surge card (the one with the led..) and you may need a new breaker.

The Surge card looks something like this..

20160921_115325_resized.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Friday at 8:38 AM

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim, Thanks for your reply.

I usually receive an email from TFP when someone posts a reply, but never received one - so glad I logged in just now.

Questions:
When you say "reset the breaker" I assume you're referencing the thing I was referring to as the "fuse" in the upper right corner I highlighted in red? ... So the correct term is Breaker?

When I look for the "surge card", the photo you attached, I don't see anything like that ... am I missing something? Here is a photo of what the inside of my panel looks like.

 

[Yorker]

First tip: If you clean the cell with acid every few months, you are reducing its life span. Read SWG How It Works - Further Reading to learn the proper methods of cleaning a cell if it needs it.

My guess is you need a new cell.

I guess it's better to say I check it every few months. There may be a good good amount of calcium build up which I am able to use the jet setting on our hose to clean out. I seldom need to do an acid wash, maybe once a year. And then I do my best to do a weak mixture of acid/water.

When I first started with TFP I was warned that each acid wash shortens the cell's life.

 

[Yorker]

And YOU can install a new cell. It is very easy.
Check with Home - Marina Pool Spa & Patio for a new cell.

Thanks Marty, yeah I know it's plug and play.

 

[ajw22]

When I look for the "surge card", the photo you attached, I don't see anything like that ... am I missing something? Here is a photo of what the inside of my panel looks like.

Loosen the two screws in yellow holding the low voltage panel closed and swing it down, and you will find the Surge Card on the back wall.

 

[Yorker]

Loosen the two screws in yellow holding the low voltage panel closed and swing it down, and you will find the Surge Card on the back wall.


View attachment 641641

THANKS! I did look. The sun is freakisghly bright , I did my best to take this photo. The breaker will not even see where the light would be and I am not able to reset the breaker

 

[Nathan Johnson]

I'm having the same issue. Exact same. Reviewing my query on this exact same thing omw to attack it with a voltmeter. Comment added to stay in this loop, and York you can do all of this yourself with help from TFP. You might even find you know as much, or more than the tech what's dropped in favor. I suspect it's the cell AND surge card. My green led is dead

 

[ajw22]

THANKS! I did look. The sun is freakisghly bright , I did my best to take this photo. The breaker will not even see where the light would be and I am not able to reset the breaker

That is the main PCB. Look on the back wall of the cabinet for the Surge Card.

 

[Yorker]

I'm having the same issue. Exact same. Reviewing my query on this exact same thing omw to attack it with a voltmeter. Comment added to stay in this loop, and York you can do all of this yourself with help from TFP. You might even find you know as much, or more than the tech what's dropped in favor. I suspect it's the cell AND surge card. My green led is dead

Thanks Nathan. I'm sure I "could". I've had some health issues that have affected my concentration as well as vision. I've owned a Klien Voltage Meter for years. and have never been able to figure out how to use it for the thing like to this. In my 5o's I wired our 1916 Craftsman's kitchen, in Los Angeles, and passed inspection with no problem. Well I'm not 50's anymore .

I've been with TFP for years. You all have helped me do many, many things with our pool. I've been putting this repair off for a long time and hate that I will be paying these people to fix it, but resigned myself to just get it done. What I'm hoping for now is to just educate myself so they don't jerk me around.

 

[Yorker]

That is the main PCB. Look on the back wall of the cabinet for the Surge Card.

Thanks Allen, I'll go back and look at it again after the sun goes down.

 

[Yorker]

Thanks Allen, I'll go back and look at it again after the sun goes down.

Sorry for this delayed reply.

Allen, you were right, there is was just staring at me.

I reset the breaker and tested it... and no green light. I want to mention that the breaker switch feels different in that it does not click into the on/off position, it feels kind of broken. Anyway I'm assuming that the board and switch will need to be replaced as well as the Cell ...Right?