Transformer problems

[kb27973]

Hi Roger,
I currently have (2) 6100's and (2) 6000's. One of the 6000's to be used as a spare. I noticed this morning that one of the 6100's was not running. I took it apart but it didn't look to bad inside. Then I looked at the transformer and there were big bumps on top where it had melted. I unplugged it and hooked up my spare. It wouldn't run either. After checking the connections to the controller I looked at the transformer and this one was now extremely hot and melting on top. It had been hooked up for just a couple of minutes. These things are getting so hot I'm starting to worry about a fire. Any idea whats going on?
Thanks,
Ken

[rvitko]

The driver has a short, or the pump is jammed, send the pump in, do not continue to try to use it. The transformers can only do this if they are overloaded and they do shut off at a temp well below where a fire could occur.

Tunze USA
1304 Monica St
Austin TX 78758

[kb27973]

Ok, will do. Should I send you the melted transformers as well?
Ken

[rvitko]

Yes. I will replace it.

[kb27973]

Hi Roger,
I sent the package off today. Here is my return addr and phone#.

Ken Baynard
5011 Crane Dr.
Brighton, CO. 80601

720-936-5591

[blgreef]

hi also just lost a trany on a 245 skimmer, have replaced, also cleaned the pump and everything looked fine, the new transformer is running hotter then an equiv 6100, but his may just be down to the pressure pump ( diff impeller and housing etc.)

Do you happen to have the watt draw for a 245 skimmer?

The original Transfomer did overheat as the casing show sections that have deformed, It never got hot enough to scorch or burn the plastic so never a fire risk. Te only strange thing is that when the transfomrer failed it tripped a 16amp breaker so i assume a quick short in the transformer.

[rvitko]

In general the problem is the driver, the driver goes bad form salt creep, dirty pump, water damage, even a defect and this creates an excessive draw of current that overloads the transformer. The watt draw on a 245 should be 44W and the acceptable range of deviation is about 10%. Slightly outside the norm means the pump is dirty or a part is bad, way outside the norm indicates a faulty driver or motor. Be sure to correct for the voltage since the rating will be at 230V or 115V and actual voltage may be higher so multiply your result by 230v/ (x)v.

[blgreef]

It has a new driver and Transformer and impeller etc, its pulling 43 to 45 watts at .25 on 210 volts with a power factor of .86

so real power is 45ish watts, I will run it and see what the peak current is.

Cheers

[blgreef]

Ok have been playing with th 240 skimmer and have found the following.

Removed the pump and turned it into a 7402 and then ran on a filter set, at full power it draws 40 watts with the normal impeller, and the transformer runs cool.

Replaced the pressure bits (impeller and housing) to turn it back into a skimmer pump and it now draws 45 to 50 watts and the transformer runs hot sometime very hot.

I have replaced, Transformer, blue electronics box, and the magnet, no diffs but it seems the pump is fine as it runs all ok when not used as a presure pump!

so anyone out there with a 240 etc can you tell me how hot the transfomer on the pump is?

[TryTheChi]

Hi

I have just set up a 240/2 today and both the transformer and driver are running very warm almost hot, as its new to me - I'm not sure its normal....

Simon

[blgreef]

Hello Simon,

I am sure Roger will confirm but i would not worry just yet, I expect the transformer on a 240 to run warm due to the pressure pump, also my skimmer manufacture date was 2002 but not sure when I bought it or how long it sat in the shop, but its been running a long time

[rvitko]

The transformer has a maximum capacity of 60w with a peak capacity of 75w for brief moments. I would think it is OK.

[TryTheChi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6544852#post6544852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blgreef
Hello Simon,

I am sure Roger will confirm but i would not worry just yet, I expect the transformer on a 240 to run warm due to the pressure pump, also my skimmer manufacture date was 2002 but not sure when I bought it or how long it sat in the shop, but its been running a long time


Hi blg - thanks for the reasurance - how hot is your driver - mine is too hot to keep fingers on after about 5 seconds....

Also - any tips on optimising gthe 240 performance please?

MAny thanks

SImon

[blgreef]

Hello,

Mine is warm to the touch never get too hot to touch, how old is the 240?

My driver part number is 7240-26 the 7240-27 also ran warm to touch but not very hot.

As to performance try and keep the water level constant, and keep the riser clean, Apart from that its plug and play

[rvitko]

I would say in general the drivers got cooler as time progressed. The 7240.25 was hotter than the 7240.26 and now we are on a second generation of 7240.27 and it is coolest yet. Older drivers would have a transistor melt down at about 75w- 80w of consumption, in general that is why a fire is impossible because the transistor will break and the circuit is then broken.

[blgreef]

As i like to play, I have just pulled the240 pump off the skimmer and replaced it with a 230 pump and the new venturi.

Now using the 240 pump on a tunze filter set ( pump changed to 7402) and set it running at the low speed setting.

Blue box now running warmer then before very warm to touch on the heatsink, strange but the pump is not drawing excessive current and is running fine. So you may want to check that the Potentiometer on the blue control box is at high and not low

At this moment I would not worry, in general heatsinks can run hot sometimes too hot to touch, and ambient temp and airflow etc play a large part in the temp of the heatsink. So its possible that mine maybe cooler as the amb temp is lower or the fact my sump sits in a utility room and there is a floor and ceiling vent that has constant airflow.
If its new it may just need time to bed in and as such the motor may be pulling slightly more power.

[TryTheChi]

thanks blg - cleaned out the pump again by soaking in calcium disovling solution and put the potentiometer to high - driver still runs very hot - but thanks again for the reasurance:)

THanks too Roger for yours re fire risk.

Still not getting decent skimmate - does this unit take long to settle in? Its placed in the first section of the sump with constant level water - where the drain pipes from the tank are situated.

Cheers

SImon

[rvitko]

The older 240 was never a shining star. It works well if you upgrade to the last skimmer cup design which was one piece without the seperate riser tube and cup.

[TryTheChi]

Thanks Roger

It has the one piece riser (smooth all the way) with a hole in the top to drain to an external beaker - rather than the classic riser and cup combined. - Is there hope:) ? lol

[rvitko]

No, that was the old set with what the called a foam removal tube, that also didn't work that well.

[TryTheChi]

Thanks Roger - the best advice is honnest advice ;)