Chiller problem

PincheReefTank · 08/25/2012, 04:21 PM

I have a arctica 1/5 that is blowing fuses. If I put a new fuse in, the display lights up but when water gets to set temp the cool light comes on but the unit wont start cooling and within a few minutes blows another fuse.

Anyone got experience with this type of problem?

I bought the unit out of box but it was never used. I never had any paper work with the unit so my next question is what kind of maintenance should i be performing on it?

the unit is also controlled through my apex and power to it is cut on and off my times a day. It gets plenty of water run though it by means of a rio 750gph pump.

WDGLEAVES · 08/25/2012, 05:18 PM

If you have or know someone with a clamp meter check the amp draw on the compressor, more than likley it's pulling LRA (locked rotor amps) and causing the fuse to blow.

sirreal63 · 08/25/2012, 06:50 PM

In addition to the above. Plug it into a regular outlet, it may be drawing too many amps for the Apex.

WDGLEAVES · 08/26/2012, 12:44 PM

If its blowing fuses on the chiller then it's probably the compressor. If its blowing the fuse on the eb8 then you have it overloaded, max is 5a per outlet and 15a total for a single eb8 I think.

Graham670 · 08/26/2012, 12:57 PM

Most likely compressor pulling too many amps, probably won't help much, but is still good for regular maintenance ...make sure the coils are clean. If air can't be drawn across the coils it cannot dissipate heat, therefor causing heat to build in the unit, loss of efficiency, and POSSIBLE ( not extremely likely ) increase of amp draw. Just my two cents.

PincheReefTank · 08/26/2012, 04:09 PM

you guys are great thanks!

plug 4 and 8 on my eb8 are marked 10a but i have the chiller pluged into 3 which is a 5a outlet. I have not blown a fuse on the eb8 yet. I have tried pluging it into the wall outlet but the compressor will still not start.

Im leaning towards a compressor problem. If I throw a new fuse in it only blows when the water reaches set temp to cool. as soon as the cool light comes on the compressor will not start and the fuse blows within minutes.

I have the cover off, and i popped the display out of the cover and pluged it back onto the unit loose with the cover off. I put a fresh fuse and pluged it in and tapped the compressor lightly in various spots with a very small detail hammer in hopes of freeing it up, but nothing.

sirreal63 · 08/26/2012, 04:12 PM

I would agree with the compressor being shot. If you can return it then do so.

PincheReefTank · 08/26/2012, 04:15 PM

BTW the core and fins are very clean the whole unit it self still looks new.

PincheReefTank · 08/26/2012, 04:17 PM

Return is not an option sad to say. So is it time to look for another chiller? Or does anyone know of someone who repairs these units?

sirreal63 · 08/26/2012, 04:29 PM

A compressor replacement can be done by a good a/c person but it may be cost prohibitive. I would send JBJ an email or give them a call and see what they suggest.

WDGLEAVES · 08/26/2012, 06:41 PM

I just repaired a friends JBJ that had a leak, he also had a backup he got off CL for parts and I checked it and it was the compressor. Googled the m# and didn't get anywhere trying to find a replacement. I agree with Jack that even if u could find a replacement it would be too much and it would be better to get a new one with a warranty.

PincheReefTank · 08/26/2012, 10:15 PM

well...

Went to the bar had a few drinks, came home messed around with the chiller some more. tapped the compressor some more put another fuse in... pop.
blew another fuse.

So, at this point I've already commited to purchase another chiller if I have to so I figure what the hell. I throw another fuse in and pick the thing up off the ground about 3 inches and drop it, repeatedly, about 5 times and all the sudden the fan clicks on and the compressor buzzes back to life. ***.
It chilled the water to set point then shut off and kicked back on already again and is cooling the water right now. 1we'll see what happens.

Still researching new units. I need something in case this thing goes out again I cannot keep leaving my AC on all day.

PincheReefTank · 08/26/2012, 10:22 PM

BTW should I not be plugging the cooler into the eb8 even if its on a 10a outlet?

Mmiller40gt · 08/26/2012, 10:22 PM

So where is the fuse blowing? In the actual chiller or on the controller? If its in the chiller you might try a slightly larger fuse. I know that's not the safest thing to do but if your going to replace it you might watch it non stop for a few days and see if that works. worse case it fries all the wires in the chiller and you have to replace it anyway. I have a boost a pump on my mustang that's basically an amp to over drive the stock fuel pumps to keep up with the supercharger. It was blowing fuel pump fuses left and right. A friend convinced me to put a slightly larger fuse on it and it has been problem free ever since.

PincheReefTank · 08/26/2012, 11:55 PM

its the fuse on the chiller. if i loose another fuse I'll start lookin into what my options are as to putting a larger fuse in. but like you said, would have to keep an eye on it though.

its come on twice in about the last two hours without blowing a fuse yet. its cooling down outside and i got all my windows open so i dont think its going to come on again tonight. I dont think i trust it entirely so im going to run my AC tomorrow while im at work. when i get home i'll shut the AC off and watch the chiller work again for a while to see what happens.

WDGLEAVES · 08/27/2012, 09:12 AM

As far as how long the compressor will last before it locks up again is hard to say. I would just program your apex to turn off lights if the temp gets too high cause the chiller stopped working. Look for a backup on CL, I found a 1/4hp for $100. I would not put a higher amp fuse in, it's blowing that fuse for a reason and burnt wires could lead to a burned down house.

08/25/2012, 04:21 PM	#1
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	Chiller problem I have a arctica 1/5 that is blowing fuses. If I put a new fuse in, the display lights up but when water gets to set temp the cool light comes on but the unit wont start cooling and within a few minutes blows another fuse. Anyone got experience with this type of problem? I bought the unit out of box but it was never used. I never had any paper work with the unit so my next question is what kind of maintenance should i be performing on it? the unit is also controlled through my apex and power to it is cut on and off my times a day. It gets plenty of water run though it by means of a rio 750gph pump.

08/25/2012, 06:50 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	In addition to the above. Plug it into a regular outlet, it may be drawing too many amps for the Apex. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/26/2012, 04:12 PM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I would agree with the compressor being shot. If you can return it then do so. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/26/2012, 04:29 PM	#10
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	A compressor replacement can be done by a good a/c person but it may be cost prohibitive. I would send JBJ an email or give them a call and see what they suggest. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

08/25/2012, 05:18 PM	#2
WDGLEAVES Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 196	If you have or know someone with a clamp meter check the amp draw on the compressor, more than likley it's pulling LRA (locked rotor amps) and causing the fuse to blow.

08/26/2012, 12:44 PM	#4
WDGLEAVES Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 196	If its blowing fuses on the chiller then it's probably the compressor. If its blowing the fuse on the eb8 then you have it overloaded, max is 5a per outlet and 15a total for a single eb8 I think.

08/26/2012, 12:57 PM	#5
Graham670 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Midwest City, Oklahoma Posts: 83	Most likely compressor pulling too many amps, probably won't help much, but is still good for regular maintenance ...make sure the coils are clean. If air can't be drawn across the coils it cannot dissipate heat, therefor causing heat to build in the unit, loss of efficiency, and POSSIBLE ( not extremely likely ) increase of amp draw. Just my two cents.

08/26/2012, 04:09 PM	#6
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	you guys are great thanks! plug 4 and 8 on my eb8 are marked 10a but i have the chiller pluged into 3 which is a 5a outlet. I have not blown a fuse on the eb8 yet. I have tried pluging it into the wall outlet but the compressor will still not start. Im leaning towards a compressor problem. If I throw a new fuse in it only blows when the water reaches set temp to cool. as soon as the cool light comes on the compressor will not start and the fuse blows within minutes. I have the cover off, and i popped the display out of the cover and pluged it back onto the unit loose with the cover off. I put a fresh fuse and pluged it in and tapped the compressor lightly in various spots with a very small detail hammer in hopes of freeing it up, but nothing.

08/26/2012, 04:15 PM	#8
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	BTW the core and fins are very clean the whole unit it self still looks new.

08/26/2012, 04:17 PM	#9
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	Return is not an option sad to say. So is it time to look for another chiller? Or does anyone know of someone who repairs these units?

08/26/2012, 06:41 PM	#11
WDGLEAVES Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 196	I just repaired a friends JBJ that had a leak, he also had a backup he got off CL for parts and I checked it and it was the compressor. Googled the m# and didn't get anywhere trying to find a replacement. I agree with Jack that even if u could find a replacement it would be too much and it would be better to get a new one with a warranty.

08/26/2012, 10:15 PM	#12
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	well... Went to the bar had a few drinks, came home messed around with the chiller some more. tapped the compressor some more put another fuse in... pop. blew another fuse. So, at this point I've already commited to purchase another chiller if I have to so I figure what the hell. I throw another fuse in and pick the thing up off the ground about 3 inches and drop it, repeatedly, about 5 times and all the sudden the fan clicks on and the compressor buzzes back to life. ***. It chilled the water to set point then shut off and kicked back on already again and is cooling the water right now. 1we'll see what happens. Still researching new units. I need something in case this thing goes out again I cannot keep leaving my AC on all day.

08/26/2012, 10:22 PM	#13
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	BTW should I not be plugging the cooler into the eb8 even if its on a 10a outlet?

08/26/2012, 10:22 PM	#14
Mmiller40gt arrogant reefer Join Date: May 2012 Location: N Texas Posts: 687	So where is the fuse blowing? In the actual chiller or on the controller? If its in the chiller you might try a slightly larger fuse. I know that's not the safest thing to do but if your going to replace it you might watch it non stop for a few days and see if that works. worse case it fries all the wires in the chiller and you have to replace it anyway. I have a boost a pump on my mustang that's basically an amp to over drive the stock fuel pumps to keep up with the supercharger. It was blowing fuel pump fuses left and right. A friend convinced me to put a slightly larger fuse on it and it has been problem free ever since.

08/26/2012, 11:55 PM	#15
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	its the fuse on the chiller. if i loose another fuse I'll start lookin into what my options are as to putting a larger fuse in. but like you said, would have to keep an eye on it though. its come on twice in about the last two hours without blowing a fuse yet. its cooling down outside and i got all my windows open so i dont think its going to come on again tonight. I dont think i trust it entirely so im going to run my AC tomorrow while im at work. when i get home i'll shut the AC off and watch the chiller work again for a while to see what happens.

08/27/2012, 09:12 AM	#16
WDGLEAVES Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 196	As far as how long the compressor will last before it locks up again is hard to say. I would just program your apex to turn off lights if the temp gets too high cause the chiller stopped working. Look for a backup on CL, I found a 1/4hp for $100. I would not put a higher amp fuse in, it's blowing that fuse for a reason and burnt wires could lead to a burned down house.