Power surge!!!

Hey guys, never got around to a surge protector, wish I had now. I've got a Harman P43 that was a victim of lighting. I'm attempting to repair the board before I drop a few hundred on a new one. At first I thought this was a ceramic capacitor that blew but now I'm sure it's an MOV. The problem I'm having is finding out what voltage it is to solder a new one in, I emailed head office, no reply. Is there anyone who can help me out here, very much appreciated. The pics show damage and cleaned up for repair.

 

That really sucks.

My gut feeling is that with that much damage to the transformer what else took a hit too????

The small low voltage chips can be toasted internally and not show outwardly of damage.

My guess is that the head office is not going to offer anything.

They keep everything with their proprietary controls really well guarded secrets.

Does the board have a name on it like SSAC ???

Controls are usually sub contracted out rather than an in-house thing.

I have a fried board from a Whitfield sitting here and it was not hit with a surge, but rather had a component failure.

Once voltages get screwed up in these things its a crap shoot if they can be fixed.

Good luck and keep us in the loop on how it goes.

 

This scenario is why I hate these low voltage micro electronic controls.

But it is how it is and the stove builders are not going to go to heavy duty industrial controls that can shrug off a surge.

Lightning is bad azz and is tough to stop damage when it hits the grid somewhere.

A high end protector is the only way to prevent this stuff.

A good UPS will really gitterdone.


If you live in an area prone to lightning storms and power spikes then by all means spend the $$$ and get the protection.

Around here we see an outage every so often in the winter, but electric storms are rare.

During storms we unplug the computers and video gear, but the stoves need a protector.

 

You both replied with some really good advice, definitely gives me a good start. I'll post back and let you know how I made out.

 

Not prone to lightning that time of year which is why I procrastinated, it was just a bizarre winter. Last two years ridiculously cold and this year, rain, very mild, saved on fuel though. I bought a snowblower and used it once, didn't even really need it, used it because I paid good coin for it.

 

so you saved enough money for a control board

 

Lmao true

 

should of bought a UPS with the savings........

 

So what is a good surge protector for my CB 1200 ? I also have a backup generator that is 5500 w - 8250 w on start up hooked to a transfer switch .

 

I will be honest here, we don't have a surge protector on any of the stoves.

We have never (knock on wood) had a surge here. Power is either on or off.

Maybe our power company is set up a tad different ???? Dunno

 

I would think homeowners should pay for the damage of a lightning strike

 

Likely, except for the deductible. It's a part you can easily replace yourself for $225 or so. Also, given the fact that insurance companies like to drop you when fyou file a claim, it may be a better strategy to file a claim when you really need it, God forbid!

 

If you have learned your lesson then here you go: Less than $100 . And that is an expensive price; I paid $75 or $80 each (free shipping too) and they go on sale on a regular basis. I have one on the P61a and the P43. Had power failures and the stoves acted like they should (pulsed the exhaust fan so no smoke in room while the stove shut down gracefully).

 

To be fair though - you have spare stoves, so if one gets knocked out by a surge, you just plug in another

 

X2

 

The same UPS for $87 with free shipping (limited time offer)

 

And at Newegg - same deal with standard shipping included (not as limited on timing)

Have I bugged you enough to make you say "Uncle!" and buy a surge protector / UPS?