Pool heater controller

Hi, Hoping someone here can help me. I dabble in electronics when I'm trying to save a buck. I have a circuit board from a pool heater. A component failed which looks to be a small current transformer. There are no markings on it other than "mainstar". Is it even possible to figure out the values necessary to replace it? I can tell you that I get 24vac to the primary but have no idea what the secondary output would be. One side of the secondary goes to ground and the other goes to a resistor, if that helps.. this part of the board is for the igniter which heats up and lights the heater. I truly appreciate anyone's insight on this. I'd be happy to send a pic but I can't see where to do that here.

Thanks,

Jim

by Jim3
August 15, 2017

Can you get a manual from the original maker?

by mikerogerswsm
August 17, 2017

Hi, thanks for commenting. I tried, they wont even return my call or emails. I think they just want me to buy a new one for 300 bucks. Seems ridiculous for what is likely a 1 dollar part. I also think the CT may be custom built by Mainstar who I also tried to contact with no luck. So now I am thinking of recoiling it because only the primary side was damaged. But I have no idea how many turns it requires and it was pretty badly damaged. I thought about just trying to measure the length of the wire I can salvage and winding with new but if I am worried if I am several turns long or short it may make things worse. I don't know enough about transformers to know how badly a couple of turns can affect it. I would think there has to be some wiggle room?

by Jim3
August 17, 2017

Insulation is a major issue here - human life is at stake so an amateur job carries a heavy penalty. Why not go to a different manufacturer? An expensive answer but at least your failed manufacturer doesn't make money out of failure.

by mikerogerswsm
August 17, 2017

It was my fault, I shorted the board while changing the igniter but I get your point. Why risk it. I found a parts board online for 50 bucks. Trying to see if they can confirm the CT isnt the blown part and I might buy it.

Thanks!

by Jim3
August 17, 2017

No Answers

No answers yet. Contribute your answer below!


Your Answer

You must log in or create an account (free!) to answer a question.

Log in Create an account


Go Ad-Free. Activate your CircuitLab membership. No more ads. Save unlimited circuits. Run unlimited simulations.

Search Questions & Answers


Ask a Question

Anyone can ask a question.

Did you already search (see above) to see if a similar question has already been answered? If you can't find the answer, you may ask a question.


About This Site

CircuitLab's Q&A site is a FREE questions and answers forum for electronics and electrical engineering students, hobbyists, and professionals.

We encourage you to use our built-in schematic & simulation software to add more detail to your questions and answers.

Acceptable Questions:

  • Concept or theory questions
  • Practical engineering questions
  • “Homework” questions
  • Software/hardware intersection
  • Best practices
  • Design choices & component selection
  • Troubleshooting

Unacceptable Questions:

  • Non-English language content
  • Non-question discussion
  • Non-electronics questions
  • Vendor-specific topics
  • Pure software questions
  • CircuitLab software support

Please respect that there are both seasoned experts and total newbies here: please be nice, be constructive, and be specific!

About CircuitLab

CircuitLab is an in-browser schematic capture and circuit simulation software tool to help you rapidly design and analyze analog and digital electronics systems.