rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 My cheap Taiwanese 60A MPPT controller is displaying error code 37 - Fan out of order. The fan initially runs before stopping and producing the error code. I have removed the fan from the unit and connected it to a 12V supply.It is a typical computer type fan, It runs fine. I am assuming it is a speed controller/electronic problem. Anything I can check before consigning it to landfill (its out of warranty) Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) 4 minutes ago, rusty69 said: 1. My cheap Taiwanese 60A MPPT controller..... 2. Anything I can check before consigning it to landfill (its out of warranty) Given #1, why bother with #2? (Being facetious really, I quite rate Taiwanese electronics) ETA: Just buy an appropriate Victron Smartsolar then at least you'll have one person thinking you've done the right thing! Edited August 14, 2018 by Sea Dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 1 minute ago, Sea Dog said: Given #1, why bother with #2? (Being facetious really, I quite rate Taiwanese electronics) Ok, it wasn't that cheap .....200 quid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just now, rusty69 said: Ok, it wasn't that cheap .....200 quid! And, as I say, there's some great Taiwanese electronics, but home repairability on all this gear is a bit limited. See also my edit which crossed in the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 1 minute ago, Sea Dog said: And, as I say, there's some great Taiwanese electronics, but home repairability on all this gear is a bit limited. See also my edit which crossed in the post. I bought it from Taiwan, cos I also think they do some ok stuff.Its been fine for 4 years.I suspect its dustbin material but thought it worth an ask of the electronic boffins first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 8 minutes ago, rusty69 said: ....thought it worth an ask of the electronic boffins first! Indeed. I've had some great ones of those under my tender care, some able to repair to component level long after the Navy had given up on it. Their skill got us out of some significantly iffy situations, but it's both a dying art and a one of increasingly few opportunities. Let's hope one's along shortly to get you another few years for your 200 quid controller. If so, point him/her at me and let's see if they can do something for my 2000+ quid Mastervolt Combi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess-- Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) 2 wires or 3 on the fan? if there is three then the third (usually white) wire is a speed measurement output. a replacement fan should be easily found on ebay or similar given the dimensions or model / part No (of the fan not the controller) edited to add... a replacement fan should be cheap enough as a test before scrapping the unit Edited August 14, 2018 by Jess-- 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 beat me to it Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Jess-- said: 2 wires or 3 on the fan? if there is three then the third (usually white) wire is a speed measurement output. a replacement fan should be easily found on ebay or similar given the dimensions or model / part No (of the fan not the controller) Its a 2 wire fan. I couldn't find an exact replacement, but bought a similar spec on ebay for a pound just to try it (not yet arrived) Edited August 14, 2018 by rusty69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 2 minutes ago, rusty69 said: Its a 2 wire fan. I couldn't find an exact replacement, but bought a similar spec on ebay for a pound just to try it (not yet arrived) See, that's pretty hard to beat as a first move. Is there an option for subsequent moves, or is the unit otherwise pretty much an encapsulated block? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess-- Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 if it's only 2 wires then the controller can only be measuring current drawn by the fan to guess if it's running, and probably seeing too high a current and assuming the fan is dead when in reality the bearing (usually a rubbish sleeve) is running dry. pop the label off the back of the fan and put a spot of oil down the bearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 2 minutes ago, Jess-- said: if it's only 2 wires then the controller can only be measuring current drawn by the fan to guess if it's running, and probably seeing too high a current and assuming the fan is dead when in reality the bearing (usually a rubbish sleeve) is running dry. pop the label off the back of the fan and put a spot of oil down the bearing. Many thanks label off. Rumaging round engine bay looking for oil........... 3 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: See, that's pretty hard to beat as a first move. Is there an option for subsequent moves, or is the unit otherwise pretty much an encapsulated block? The unit is in a nice metal box, easily accessible components. Oil found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, rusty69 said: The unit is in a nice metal box, easily accessible components. Oil found. Ooh, two rays of hope! Fingers crossed re the oil. (Really? That'll be a helluva result!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Right it is soaking in oil overnight and i will try again tomorrow. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess-- Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just now, rusty69 said: Right it is soaking in oil overnight and i will try again tomorrow. Thanks all. it should only need a tiny drop, unless it's a fairly expensive fan the outer part will be phospor bronze (dark gold in colour) and the inner will just be a chromed or highly polished surface on the spindle of the fan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickent Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 2 hours ago, rusty69 said: Right it is soaking in oil overnight and i will try again tomorrow. Thanks all. We can't wait 'till tomorrow !!! We need to know if it works now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just now, Rickent said: We can't wait 'till tomorrow !!! We need to know if it works now. Send us some sun and I will tell you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickent Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 1 hour ago, rusty69 said: Send us some sun and I will tell you! Good point. Tomorrow it is then. You do realise that the anticipation will be killing me. A sleepless night lies ahead. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 Well, the anticipation is over. Having left the fan soaking overnight, and installed it back into the controller this morning, I connected it back to the panels and b 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 42 minutes ago, rusty69 said: Well, the anticipation is over. Having left the fan soaking overnight, and installed it back into the controller this morning, I connected it back to the panels and b Uh oh! Rusty has blown up his electrics mid post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 7 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: Uh oh! Rusty has blown up his electrics mid post! Au contraire my crunchy friend, just teasing! So. Good news,on re installation , no error code 37 .Its been running now for about an hour,and having loaded it,it still remains on. A huge thanks to @Jess-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 1 hour ago, rusty69 said: Au contraire my crunchy friend, just teasing! So. Good news,on re installation , no error code 37 .Its been running now for about an hour,and having loaded it,it still remains on. A huge thanks to @Jess-- What a result! Right, I'm now off to fill the bath with oil - I've a whole host of duff bits of kit just crying out to be given a good soaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 16 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: What a result! Right, I'm now off to fill the bath with oil - I've a whole host of duff bits of kit just crying out to be given a good soaking. I don't think soaking yourself in an oil bath is a good idea seadog... Well, maybe as a last resort! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacka Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 Can also be worthwhile cleaning the blades and inner face of the frame as I have had a fan ‘Fail’ as the blade tips were rubbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted August 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 4 minutes ago, Chewbacka said: Can also be worthwhile cleaning the blades and inner face of the frame as I have had a fan ‘Fail’ as the blade tips were rubbing. The whole thing was quite dusty. Probably the cause of the fan failure. I cleaned the inverter fans and circuit board whilst i was at it today. Have renamed our boat Mr Dusty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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