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Troubleshooting
Compressor won't, pump keeps pumping

Compressor won't, pump keeps pumping
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Member

M&M

Gloucester, VA

posts 3

2:42 pm July 25, 2011
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Steve,

 

Your help in June 2009 was wonderful in assisting me with a new Turbo Vector for the forward end. Now the time may be here to discuss replacing the aft unit. It is approaching its 18th year and has encountered a few problems. It's a Marine Air unit with an ECU controller. Lots of jelly fish this year and we continue to suck them up. Each unit did as it should and the system shuts down due to lack of water flow. Each time the old unit would reset and resume normal operation – until yesterday. The system starts and the cool light comes on but the compressor does not start. I've checked the troubleshooting guide and it indicates to check the 30 amp fuse on the control module (which I have not done yet) or the compressor triac has failed in an open position. Also, the pump operation no longer functions normally. With the aft unit and pump breakers turned on, the pump will run even if the unit is turned off. The front unit works as it should, pump runs when unit requires it. First, what the heck is the triac? Second, any ideas about the pump operation. Thanks again for your past help and I think we maybe discussing replacing the old unit soon. Thankfully, it's a whole lot easier to get to!
Admin

Steve Pooler

posts 1127

7:44 am July 26, 2011
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First, A Triac is a Solid State Relay that switches power on & off…

Sounds like the pump Triac has failed closed on that unit, causing it to send power to the pump continuously…

To solve that problem till you get the unit repaired or replaced…Open the electrical box at the unit & remove the pump wire from the circuit board…The terminal will be labeled on the board…

Yes the 30 amp fuse could have failed for the compressor, it could be it's Triac (on the board) that has failed open, or it could be the High Pressure Switch has failed open from so many jellyfish shutdowns…

Sounds like at the very least you will need a control/board retrofit kit @ $565.00 (Parts are no longer available for the ECU control system)

After that you could also need a new High Pressure switch which is soldered into the high side tubing…

A secondary Hi/PS switch can be threaded onto the high side gauge port without opening the system, but you will need to bypass the original by clipping its wires & connecting them to the new switch…

 

Steve~
Member

M&M

Gloucester, VA

posts 3

7:55 pm August 2, 2011
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Hi again Steve,

I'm leaning towards unit replacement but I can't help but want to know more about how these things work. I've been reading the forums and a few questions come to mind. I read that the system board can be bypassed by connecting the L1's together and the L2's together. If this is the case, my assumption – and you know what they say about that – is the board, along with functions like the various fan operations, controls the pump and compressor by turning each on and off when the temperature set points are reached. Bypassing the system board allows the compressor and pump to operate unregulated – so to speak – and does not provide the usual protection for icing up or loss of water flow – thus the reason not to do so unattended.

First, if the 30 amp fuse for the compressor is blown, is it correct to assume the compressor will not run even if the system board is bypassed? I guess it should be simple enough to test the fuse. Second, judging from your reply indicating the high pressure switch may be stuck open, if I test the high pressure switch with a continuity tester and it beeps, is the switch okay? Lastly, I notice you mentioned in another post that tapping the relays may free them. Are the relays easy to identify on the board?

Again, thanks for the time and effort you put into this forum. It is very much appreciated by all of us that learn from your words of wisdom.
Admin

Steve Pooler

posts 1127

7:38 am August 3, 2011
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Post edited 9:15 am – August 3, 2011 by Steve Pooler

M&M said:

Hi again Steve,

I'm leaning towards unit replacement but I can't help but want to know more about how these things work. I've been reading the forums and a few questions come to mind. I read that the system board can be bypassed by connecting the L1's together and the L2's together. If this is the case, my assumption – and you know what they say about that – is the board, along with functions like the various fan operations, controls the pump and compressor by turning each on and off when the temperature set points are reached. Bypassing the system board allows the compressor and pump to operate unregulated – so to speak – and does not provide the usual protection for icing up or loss of water flow – thus the reason not to do so unattended.…Actually the high pressure switch will still be in-line on your unit (and most other Marine Air units) but it will cycle the compressor on & off until it either trips the breaker or kills the compressor. (if you loose water flow while away)

First, if the 30 amp fuse for the compressor is blown, is it correct to assume the compressor will not run even if the system board is bypassed?…No…The fuse is on the board…If the board is bypassed…No fuse… I guess it should be simple enough to test the fuse. Second, judging from your reply indicating the high pressure switch may be stuck open, if I test the high pressure switch with a continuity tester and it beeps, is the switch okay?…Better to test with load…Put a meter across it's connections & if you have voltage….The switch is open…Meaning not connecting or passing power…Lastly, I notice you mentioned in another post that tapping the relays may free them. Are the relays easy to identify on the board?…Actually if in fact you have the "ECU" board there are No relays…That board uses Triacs (solid state relays) and no amount of tapping will help…Even if it had relay's & tapping made it run…It won't last…

Again, thanks for the time and effort you put into this forum. It is very much appreciated by all of us that learn from your words of wisdom.

 

We Try…And Hope You Buy…Laugh  Cool

Steve~
Member

M&M

Gloucester, VA

posts 3

7:58 pm August 13, 2011
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Steve – got the new unit last Monday and installed it the next day. Problem solved! Simply replacing the board and controller would not have silenced that old "freight train". These Turbo Vectors are so quiet we can sleep in the aft cabin again. Thanks again for the great price and super fast shipping. 
Admin

Steve Pooler

posts 1127

10:48 am August 14, 2011
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Thanks for the report M~

Yes they are quiet (cool well too)  Cool  So quiet…I have still yet to sell an optional compressor sound shield…

 

Steve~
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