avlcat Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Well, my 6-years old Sta-Rite heater failed today. When I start the system the heater display says Ad0; then if I press Spa On or Pool On button it says 5f1; then 180 and 'r 9'; then finally goes blank. The heater motor or fan does not try to start at all. The water flow and gas pressure are fine. No Service Heater lite (or any other outside lights) are on. I am looking for help here. Anybody can tell me what these codes could mean? Unfortunately the owner manual does not explain codes and I cannot get hold of service manual. Also do you know if service manual for Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm heater is available for download (I surely checked the pentair.com web site and they only have owner manuals). I'll appreciate any help here. Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Four screws hold the covers on the heater, then look under the top black disk like bezel you'll see two clips that hold the bezel down, pull the clips , you should be able to turn the disk over and expose the circuit board. Now try to light the heater and look for trouble lights. Each light is labeled with a abbreviation of the problem area. Post what you find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batate Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 I'm having the same symptoms. 180 then r9. Then, lots of leds come on, and then all goes dark. No blower, no ignition, no nothing. I was able to pull the four screws off and pull the board out and look at the back as it fires. All of the red diagnostic leds came on (and a few green ones) for about a second, and then they all went black. Any ideas? Thanks in advance -batate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 I'm having the same symptoms. 180 then r9. Then, lots of leds come on, and then all goes dark. No blower, no ignition, no nothing. I was able to pull the four screws off and pull the board out and look at the back as it fires. All of the red diagnostic leds came on (and a few green ones) for about a second, and then they all went black. Any ideas? Thanks in advance -batate FYI r9 is the revision number of the motherboard on the pool heater unit. I just called Sta-rite to ask. As for the other codes it may be easier to just call them between 8am-5pm 1-800-831-7133. Cheers! Spyder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SocalDad Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I am having the same problem. The control panel goes black. Here are the process steps I have performed and what I see: 1. Turn the unit on at breaker, because display board went black. 2. Once turned on, the display reads 160, then switches to R5, then goes blank. I order a new control board for replacement and the same thing occurs. 280 bucks later...I am hoping to send it back. Anyone solve this problem? Does this means its a thermistor? I don't want to play this guessing game. I am going to try Sta-Rite's 1-800 Number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 The displays that you are seeing are normal boot up displays. Four screws hold the covers on the heater, then look under the top black disk like bezel you'll see two clips that hold the bezel down, pull the clips , you should be able to turn the disk over and expose the circuit board. Now try to light the heater and look for trouble lights. Each light is labeled with a abbreviation of the problem area. Post what you find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 The displays that you are seeing are normal boot up displays. Four screws hold the covers on the heater, then look under the top black disk like bezel you'll see two clips that hold the bezel down, pull the clips , you should be able to turn the disk over and expose the circuit board. Now try to light the heater and look for trouble lights. Each light is labeled with a abbreviation of the problem area. Post what you find. Aslo you will get these codes and your heater will turn off if you don't have any water flowing through it. There is a pressure switch in the heater that prevents it from running (heating) it the unit cannot detect enough water flowing through it. I hope this helps. Spyder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Aslo you will get these codes and your heater will turn off if you don't have any water flowing through it. Spyder There have been no fault codes listed on this thread. All the numbers everyone has listed are boot up sequence numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithgk Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Aslo you will get these codes and your heater will turn off if you don't have any water flowing through it. Spyder There have been no fault codes listed on this thread. All the numbers everyone has listed are boot up sequence numbers. I have a slightly different problem. My external "Service Heater" display is illuminated. However, the heater seems to be functioning normally. I took off the cover and looked at the circuit board and the only error code that is lit is "ES1" on LED 8. The manual says "ES1" is a spare. Not sure if I have a real problem or not. The heater is approx. 12 years old and has never required service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 I have a slightly different problem. My external "Service Heater" display is illuminated. However, the heater seems to be functioning normally. I took off the cover and looked at the circuit board and the only error code that is lit is "ES1" on LED 8. The manual says "ES1" is a spare. Not sure if I have a real problem or not. Make sure the orange wire loop (ES1) is intact. No cuts, nicks, or chew marks. Turn the power to the heater off. Then take the plug (J2) off the board and then plug it back in. If you still get the light, (is it dim by the way?) and it really bugs you, call the service center and maybe they have seen this. I hope it's not a sign of things to come for the board (12 years). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmanix Posted May 21, 2010 Report Share Posted May 21, 2010 <!--quoteo(post=86639:date=Aug 22 2009, 03:28 PM:name=keithgk)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (keithgk @ Aug 22 2009, 03:28 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=86639"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I have a slightly different problem. My external "Service Heater" display is illuminated. However, the heater seems to be functioning normally. I took off the cover and looked at the circuit board and the only error code that is lit is "ES1" on LED 8. The manual says "ES1" is a spare. Not sure if I have a real problem or not.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Make sure the orange wire loop (ES1) is intact. No cuts, nicks, or chew marks. Turn the power to the heater off. Then take the plug (J2) off the board and then plug it back in. If you still get the light, (is it dim by the way?) and it really bugs you, call the service center and maybe they have seen this. I hope it's not a sign of things to come for the board (12 years). did you ever find resolution to this? I'm having the same issue right now. Sta-Rite tech told me that it was an indication of a bad thermister - I ordered a new one today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKPoolguy Posted May 26, 2010 Report Share Posted May 26, 2010 Are any of these heaters hooked up to an external control unit, i.e. Aqualink RS or any other control panel used with a remote system, if not, it could be the fuse inside the power box of the heater, or a damaged firemans switch. Just my guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwarneke Posted March 14, 2021 Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 Im working on the same issue also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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