Life breath won’t self test on 200MAX

675 Views 11 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Harry_M, Feb 19, 2020

Harry_M

Discussion Starter · Feb 17, 2020

Hello,

It started when my unit froze up during this recent cold snap. The motor on the defrost damper didn’t appear to be working. Then I read about the “self -test” in the manual but it doesn’t appear to be operational either. Neither the damper or the fan speeds were cycled through.
When I cycle through all the fan speeds manually and operate the unit in “stand-by“ mode, all seems to be working correctly.

Does this mean the circuit board is flawed or might the defrost damper motor be broken? Is there a way to trouble shoot what the problem is?

Thanks,
Harry

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yuri

· #2 · Feb 17, 2020

The self test is when you unplug the cord/shut off the power and then re-power it.

Did you do that?

It should cycle thru all the fan speeds and open/close the damper. Otherwise the circuit board is likely faulty. No way to test that that I know of.

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Harry_M

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 17, 2020

Thanks for the quick reply, Yuri.

Yes, I’ve shut it off and restarted it but there is no self test going on. As stated in my first post, everything else seems normal, except for the self test and defrost cycle.
I just had the fan motor replaced last week and the same technician is coming over today to take another look. If he’s not sure what to do I’ll give you a call.

Thanks again,
Harry

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lenaitch

· #4 · Feb 17, 2020

If you can put a meter on the damper door motor you could see if it getting the voltage signal to move when it is supposed to. If the interior iced up the motor and/or the tiny gear set may have pooched.

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Harry_M

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 17, 2020

Thanks, that makes sense too. Can’t get at the wires easily, they go through a hole in the motor casing. I watched and listened at the motor when I cycled the power and there was no indication of any activity. I should be able to find the motor plug on the circuit board and check for a voltage there.

Any idea what the motor voltage is? Lots of 12V connectors on the board so I assume that’s it but I guess it could also be 120V.

Harry

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lenaitch

· #6 · Feb 17, 2020

Harry_M said:
Thanks, that makes sense too. Can’t get at the wires easily, they go through a hole in the motor casing. I watched and listened at the motor when I cycled the power and there was no indication of any activity. I should be able to find the motor plug on the circuit board and check for a voltage there.

Any idea what the motor voltage is? Lots of 12V connectors on the board so I assume that’s it but I guess it could also be 120V.

Harry

No clue. I have a 150Max and the damper motor is right there when you open the main cabinet door. @yuri might know - he's in the biz, check with Lifebreath or see if there is anything stamped on the motor. If it is 12v (DC) you could try powering it from a battery source. If it is the motor I can't see them being all that expensive.

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Harry_M

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 18, 2020

My motor is right up front also. Found a damper motor that is supposedly for this unit for $180. The one in the picture has 4 wires (two are connected) but mine looks like it only has 2.

Harry

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lenaitch

· #8 · Feb 18, 2020

Harry_M said:
My motor is right up front also. Found a damper motor that is supposedly for this unit for $180. The one in the picture has 4 wires (two are connected) but mine looks like it only has 2.

Harry

Just checked mine and it has four. There is a multi connector about 6" from the motor but you'd have to know which wires (assuming two) where you would expect to see voltage. There might be a wiring diagram on the back of the electrical connection box - I didn't check.

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Harry_M

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 18, 2020

Thanks, I’ll take out the motor this morning and see if I have 4 wires too. Maybe it’s a stepper motor with two common wires? LOL, I think I’m getting over my head here.

Harry

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Harry_M

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 18, 2020

My motor has only 2 wires, black and white. Also when I look at the circuit boards available for the 200MAX, I don’t see one that is similar to mine.

The house I live in was built in 1996, so it can’t be older than that. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Harry

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lenaitch

· #11 · Feb 19, 2020

The only thing I've got left is contact Lifebreath with model and serial number and explain the problem. The serial number might help them determine if there was a mid-model change. I've only had to contact them once, just for advice since I had never owned one before I moved into this house. I found them helpful. Good luck.

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Harry_M

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 19, 2020

Yes, did that. Had to order the upgrade as my only option.

BTW, the damper motor runs on AC and mine works. Hopefully I’ll be able to plug it into the new board.

Thanks for the help.

Harry

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