Xpelair controller and sweep fans

[andylherts]

Went recently to a cafe where they have fitted an Xpelair WAC6R fan controller to control 2 sweep fans.

The fans had stopped working of course during the hottest week this year!

I found the control unit has a small glass fuse to protect the PCB which had blown. Replaced this and only 1 fan came back on line. I'm told it lasted 10 minutes before it stopped working, most likely the same fuse.

Anyone got any experience with these units? Can you recommend any tests or suggest any likely causes of failure.

I have only been able to have a brief look at it, will be going back tommorrow with some suitable steps and another pair of hands to get the units down for a better look.

 

[Andy™]

not something like the fans being too powerful for the controller?

 

[Evans Electric]

The WAC6R will control up to 6 fans and has a reverse switch . I would guess that one of the fans has gone faulty or it is struggling to turn against a tight bearing and blowing the fuse,. Possibly the fan that did not move is the problem one .

 

[jl-heating]

i would agree

 

[andylherts]

Went there this evening. Neither the fuse in the isolator or the fuse protecting the PCB had blown but the fans still did not turn. I had considered heat as a possible cause but even the kitchen was only 22c, then it hit me whilst looking inside the control unit. A microwave oven sits beside the controller with the vents right at the same level. Looking a bit closer I could see a bit of mould on part of the pcb by the control unit vents and was able to scrape what I suspect was food residue from another component. I am guessing the mircowave has been giving the control unit a nice blast of hot steam which has done it no good. The fans themselves are smooth running when turned by hand and keep moving smoothly with a very gentle push.

New control unit to be ordered and will see what happens.

 

[Evans Electric]

Was there an output when switched on ?

 

[andylherts]

Yes was getting an output but kept tripping the RCD when I used my fluke voltage tester to see what voltage I was getting.

I had my mate check at the fan end and he said he was only getting 12 volts.

 

[Evans Electric]

Ah , does sound like the controller ,does it not.