Strange problem with Pentair Mastertemp 250 - shuts off after many hours

dschuri

New member
Apr 12, 2023
2
Chicago, iL
Hi all, I have an unusual problem with my 2015 Pentair Mastertemp 250. It ignites just fine (igniter recently replaced) and brings the pool up to set temp just fine. But then, while maintaining the set temp (usually after 8-12 hours), it randomly shuts down and the Service Heater light lights up. There are no error LEDs lit on the back of the control board, and the Fenwal unit does not have anything on the LED either. It just shuts down and the Service Heater LED is lit - nothing else. If I turn the heater off and back on at the control panel, it again runs just fine for a 8-12 hours and repeats.

It seems to shut down when it's cycling to maintain temp only after an hour or two. I was wondering if anyone else has seen a similar problem or has any advice of what to look into/diagnose, as I'd rather not replace the heater that seems to otherwise work fine. Attached is the graph of temperature from my Sutro over many days. It's about 8-12 hours between the peaks and each time after the temp drops I have to power cycle the heater to restart it which gets rather tedious.
 

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Welcome to TFP.

You sure the Fenwal LED is not lit after a shutdown and before you reset the CB?

How much corrosion is in the heater?

My WAG is the heater is losing the flame sense current due to corrosion.

 
Last edited:
Thanks for your WAG. Yep no Fenwal LED lit at all when it happens

There is probably a ton of corrosion in the heater - I have not opened the tub. This is an old boy (2015) and I'd like to get a season or 2 more out of it, maybe I should try the ground wire bypass (I've been reading the heck out of that heater flame sensing article - super valuable - I suspect the problem his in there. I have replaced the thermal regulator, and thermistor in the last year so I don't suspect those.

No way I am messing with the tub or the manifold on a heater 9 years old. I'll just replace at some point (for now I just need to remember 4-8hours before I wanna swim to see if it tripped again, LOL)
 
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