Tunze 6100 transformer melted!

[mwwhite]

Running the 6100 streams (2) with the 7095 multi-controller.

Started to smell something and investigated (smelled like wires burning) - found the transformer for one of them melted!! YIKES. (I think it is the transformer - round black thing)... Sorry I'm not sure and husband is out of town. :-(

The powerheads never alarmed, and the multi-controller was lit up like normal. Neither powerhead was working though.

We've only been using them since May of 2007 - bought them new. Is this normal? Now I'm worried about the other one and have removed both from the tank for now. But of course now we have only the flow from the returns.

The scary thing is they never alarmed, and the multi-controller was lit up like normal. Neither powerhead was working though.

Any input would be appreciated! How can I get back running again right away?

 

[mwwhite]

I was researching and believe the piece that melted is actually called the power supply. :-0

 

[rvitko]

This happens when the driver or motor fails. The transformer is only built to supply 60W. If there is a short in the driver or motor it can draw a few hundred watts and overload the power supply. The power supply switches off when it reaches 100C but this is hot enough to soften the plastic and cause it to deform especially since it continues to heat after the cut off as heat radiates from the copper coil.

Send in the complete pump and I will repair it. The transformer will be replaced. It would be covered under warranty as long as the driver did not get wet and that was the root cause.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin TX 78753

 

[mwwhite]

Thanks very much Roger. I will pack it all up tonite and send to you tomorrow.

We specifically mounted everything on hooks on the side wall of the cabinet so it wouldn't get wet - so we're very positive that wasn't the case.

Hubby just said when he gets home tonite - we'll put the other one back in and hopefully it runs.

Do you have any idea why the other one stopped working also? It shows no signs of heat distortion.

When i discovered neither one working I just took them both out - I was worried about a fire. We'll put the one back in tonite and hook it back up to the controller and hopefully it will work and get us by until we get the other one back.

Again thanks very much.

 

[rvitko]

They don't get hot enough to start a fire. I suspect that the other one should work. It could be that the controller program only had one on and that one was bad. The pumps work without the controller and it is best to test them with the controller disconnected.

 

[mwwhite]

Thanks -- yeah at the time I didn't know they wouldn't get hot enough to burn -- the smell scared me...

We'll try the other one tonite with and without the controller - if it doesn't work - I'll let you know.

 

[mwwhite]

Awesome Service and Back in Biz! Thanks!

Awesome Service and Back in Biz! Thanks!

Have been meaning to post for others the result of this and comment on the awesome customer service. One of the best.

Bottom line -- Pump completely replaced with a new one last week.

Tank's a flowing again!!

Thanks again!

 

[ZURCSREEF]

this is why I would mind spending 1000$ on "powerheads"

Awesome service..

 

[mwwhite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12824536#post12824536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZURCSREEF
this is why I would mind spending 1000$ on "powerheads"

Awesome service..

We're with ya --- you get what you pay for...

 

[AcroSteve]

99% of the time.