Lectrasan Troubleshooting

edron · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010

Does anybody have any experience with troubleshooting Raritan's Lectrasan MSD. I have run to the end of my rope with this one. When the unit runs, I get a red blinking light after about 30 seconds and the fault error indicates a low current draw from the electrodes.

All the advice leads to:
1. Add Salt A. Done This
2. Clean Electrodes B. Done This
3. Replace Electrodes C. Been Here
4. Replace Control Board D. Been Here
5. Replaced Run Switch E. Done This

The only pieces left to replace is the plastic box, the mixer and macerator, and a relay. The mixer and the macerator sound like they are running correctly.

If anybody as any ideas I would be pleased to hear it.

Thanks
Ed Ronsaville
S/V TARDIS

svsirius · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

If none of the above works check that you have enough voltage to the unit look for voltage drops in the wiring to the unit and across the shunt terminals

speciald · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

I have given up on mine. The parts cost more than its worth. Snce I am installing fresh water toilets this week, I probably will never use it again anyway. I have replaced the electrodes once but now it shuts off as soon as it begins to cycle. How much did the control board cost you?

edron · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

SVSirius,
I just pulled out the alligator clips to check the voltage drop. According to Raritan, I should see the drop at above 18 millivolts when the electrodes fire up. Below 14 millivolts the red light will illuminate. When I opened the system up it looks like there is a sliding terminal on the back that looks like it is meant to modify the resistance, does this seem right?

speciald,

The control board was around $130 USD. I found the electrodes for about $250 USD. There is a trick to get websites to drop the price on parts if you leave your shopping cart "orphaned". When you go back to the website you can see that the prices have dropped, just don't remove the cookies until you buy.

ed

speciald · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

Mine displays a steady red light when it goes to the treatment phase - does that mean the board is bad if the fuses are good?

edron · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2010

speciald,
Did you checked all the fuses. There are 4 fuses that need to be checked.
1 on the control board (5 amp) and 3 (different amps) for the macerator, electrodes and mixer. According to Raritan a steady red light means a fuse is broken look for a 35% voltage drop.
It could also be the control board, but I'm not sure where to could test this, without a spare. Also it may be the relays.

ed

svsirius · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2010

Ed

I think you could have a simpler issue. I was referring to raw voltage into the system. I would check the voltage levels at the main power input and make sure you are seeing 12+ volts there through the entire cycle. If you are having a voltage supply issue that will explain issues in cycle.

I assume you have gotten the sheet from Raritain on where/how to measure the electrode current flow.

edron · #8 (**permalink**) 08-16-2010

Hi Jon,
Voltage is good all the way until the the flashing red. I am showing 13+ volts and pulling around 12 amps until the electrodes turn on. I am pulling this voltage from the main terminals.

ed

edron · #9 (**permalink**) 08-30-2010

I foundly got the lectrasan working. I had to remove every part from the unit and wire brush everything. It now works great!!!
Thanks for everyone.

ed