Testing the circuit board output – Balboa Water Group EL/VS 120V-240V User Manual
Page 40
40
Testing the Circuit Board Output
BALBOA’S QUICK TEST
TM
TEST KIT
If your topside control panel is working properly, but a pump,
blower, or other device does not activate when its panel
button is pressed, further diagnosis is easily accomplished
with the Balboa Quick Check, which is designed to test
output voltage on a variety of Balboa systems. The following
system outputs can be tested using the Balboa Quick Check:
120 VAC or 240 VAC -- 2-speed pump
120 VAC or 240 VAC -- 1-speed pump
120 VAC or 240 VAC -- blower (with or w/o variable speed)
120 VAC or 240 VAC -- ozone generators
12 VAC -- spa light
120 VAC -- spa light (with Spa Light Adapter)
12 VAC -- perimeter light (with Perimeter Light Adapter)
The Balboa Quick Check Test Kit is especially useful for
testing variable speed blowers and dimmable spa lights.
Because these outputs use a device on the circuit board
called a triac, no voltage can be measured unless a load
exists. The Quick Check not only supplies a small load, but
also indicates if voltage is present.
The 4-prong connector is used to test pumps, blowers, ozone
generators, and by using the Spa Light Adapter, 120 VAC
spa light output. The 2-prong connector is used to test the
output for the 12 VAC spa light. Also included in the kit is a
Perimeter Light Adapter, which can be used to test the 12 VAC
perimeter light output.
TO USE THE BALBOA QUICK CHECK
Turn off the power at the house breaker box.
UÊ
Unplug the device in question, and plug the Quick Check
UÊ
in its place.
Restore power to the spa and press the appropriate
UÊ
panel button again. If the Quick Check’s light appears,
the device in question is receiving voltage.
An ordinary multi-meter can also be used to check for
UÊ
proper output voltage, except when working with a
variable-speed blower or a dimmable spa light. In these
cases, a component on the circuit board called a “triac”
needs to be under a small load to test output voltage.
NOTE: If a small load is not applied to these systems,
voltage indications of up to 240 volts AC can be seen
when measuring output voltage, even if the component is
not activated.
Even if the system is not equipped with a blower triac,
UÊ
the best way to verify voltage output is with the Balboa
Quick Check.
If the Quick Check light does not appear after pressing
UÊ
the appropriate panel button, trace the wires from the
corresponding connector in the system box back to the
circuit board.
Probe these connections at the circuit board after
UÊ
activating the function with the topside control panel.
If you do not have correct voltage, double check the
UÊ
input voltage before you replace the circuit board.
If you do have correct voltage at the circuit board, turn
UÊ
off the system power and check for a blown in-line
fuse. Blowing the in-line fuse or the power input fuse is
usually a symptom of a faulty pump, blower, or a short in
the wiring to one of those devices.
If the fuse is good, then replace the output connector.
UÊ
If the high-speed pump comes on when the system calls
UÊ
for heat or when the system goes into a filter cycle,
the pump is most likely wired backwards. Verify that
the black (low speed) & red (high speed) wires are not
switched in the amp connector or the pump itself.
Always check to make sure all devices are plugged into
UÊ
the proper location.
NOTE: If the spa light output is not detected with the Balboa
Quick Check, be sure to check continuity of the light fuse on
the circuit board.
Balboa QuickCheck
TM
Part No. 70002