Should this be like this?

[Dr.Ron]

Just opened the pool..Should these wires be cut like that? Not sure how that happened or if it was always like that, but the heater appears to be dead!
Thanks.
Ron Should these wires be like this??

 

[ajw22]

No it should not be like that.

That is the fireman’s switch control wire from your heater to your automation panel.

I can see both ends.

Run a new wire or use waterproof splices to splice it together. I can see both ends.

 

[JamesW]

Check for mice in the heater.

 

[Dr.Ron]

Do you know what gauge the wires are?

 

[PoolStored]

Post the heater make and model.
Also post how far the automation is from the heater.

 

[ajw22]

Do you know what gauge the wires are?

Around 18 gauge is best.

The MasterTemp Installation Manual specifies using 18 gauge wire with a minimum 3/64” (1.2mm) thick insulation rated for a temperature rise of at least 105°C. The area the wire passes through can get hot and melt the insulation.

You cannot find that type of insulated wire in general hardware stores. So get wire with the thickest insulation you can find, and be careful with the routing within the heater. The thicker insulation will also protect the wire from that type of break,

 

[Dr.Ron]

Disregard my last question. I do have enough slack to reattach. Pentain Master temp.
Those wires being seperated I assume would not allow power to the heater. Is this correct?

 

[ajw22]

Those wires being seperated I assume would not allow power to the heater. Is this correct?

Not exactly.

Your automation panel, type unknown since it is not listed in your signature, just closes a relay that completes the 24V circuit powering the heater controls.

 

[JamesW]

Pentair mastertemp 400 heater stops heating after a while

Hello. My 2 year old (or so) heater works fine but then it stops heating and I get the red light service heater. If I shut the heater down and then restart it, it fires up but eventually stops heating. At first I was only turning it on/off right at the heater. Then I made a program on my inside...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

 

[Dr.Ron]

Nice detective work! The heater ran fine after then, but upon opening the pool this year I found those 2 wires broken. The heater has no power.

 

[JamesW]

Most likely, it was an animal chewing on the wires.

Get the wires replaced or spliced.

Show inside the control box.

 

[Dr.Ron]

I'm going to splice it later or tomorrow. It's raining now but when I opened the heater all of the wires appeared to be intact, and mid last season I replaced the control pad.

 

[Dr.Ron]

Post the heater make and model.
Also post how far the automation is from the heater.

The Jandy pool control panel is about 9-10' from the heater.

 

[PoolStored]

The Jandy pool control panel is about 9-10' from the heater.

Then this is correct:

The MasterTemp Installation Manual specifies using 18 gauge wire with a minimum 3/64” (1.2mm) thick insulation rated for a temperature rise of at least 105°C.

 

[Dr.Ron]

I'm just going to splice the wires back together and heat shrink it. I'm wondering though if this is the cause of the dead heater.