McElroy Discussion Forums

I get a lot of calls about this so I thought I would post the info here. Hope this helps!

To troubleshoot a heater you need to know what the readings should be.

Below are the expected values for each heater. (MiniMc - T500)
Here is a video that will walk you through the whole troubleshooting process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gzaSeebb_Jw

To test the element, set your meter to Resistance, and place your leads on H1 and H2 on the board. (See chart for expected resistance.)

Heater -----------------------Watts (W)--Volts (V)-Amps--(A) Resistance (Ω)

1" 120 VAC 1Ph.--------------300---------120------2.50---------48.00
1" 240 VAC 1 Ph.-------------300---------240------1.25--------192.00

2" 120 VAC 1Ph.--------------800---------120------6.67---------18.00
2" 240 VAC 1 Ph.-------------800---------240------3.33---------72.00

4" 120 VAC 1Ph. ------------1200---------120----10.00---------12.00
4" 240 VAC 1 Ph.------------1200---------240-----5.00----------48.00

No. 28 120 VAC 1Ph.--------1750---------120----14.58----------8.23
No. 28 240 VAC 1 Ph.-------1750---------240-----7.29----------32.91
No. 28CU 240 VAC 1 Ph.----2270---------240----9.46-----------25.37

No. 250 240 VAC 1 Ph-------3000---------240---12.50----------19.20
No. 250CU 240 VAC 1 Ph----2270--------240----9.46-----------25.37

No.412 240 VAC 1 Ph--------3000--------240----12.50----------19.20

No. 618 All 240 VAC 1 Ph.---3000--------240----12.50----------19.20

T500 All 240 VAC 1 Ph.------4000--------240----16.67----------14.40

T500 Series III --------------5000---------230----21.74----------10.58

The RTD (Restistance Temperature Detector) should have a resistance of 108 ohms at room temperature.

The potentiometer should have a resistance of 9.5k-10.5k or 5k at max. Make sure that you set your meter on 20k.Make sure that you have one lead on the white wire and one on the red or black. Test the unit across the whole range of temperature settings. It should never read open.

Jumpers:
One on pins 2 and 3 if it is for a 240V unit.
One on pins 1 and 2 and one on pins 3 and 4 for a 120V unit.

How about some info on the older style heaters where the controller and the elements are all wired together.

You mean the older light weight heaters where the box is on the side of the bag frame?

Sorry, but I was actually referring to the older style 2 and 4 inch irons where the elements and controller are wired together inside the heater body. I found that if you plug them into the wall and it trips the GFCI circuit, that it is bad. I talked with Ron Z., and I think he said the only way to be sure on those was to cut them apart and test them seperately.

Thank You

Check them with an amp clamp.

Here is a modified version of the previous chart, the 1LC heater has been added.

To troubleshoot a heater you need to know what the readings should be.

Below are the expected values for each heater. (1LC - T500)
Here is a video that will walk you through the whole troubleshooting process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gzaSeebb_Jw

To test the element, set your meter to Resistance, and place your leads on H1 and H2 on the board. (See chart for expected resistance.)

Heater -----------------------Watts (W)--Volts (V)-Amps--(A) Resistance (Ω)

(1LC) 1" 120 VAC 1Ph.-------100---------120------0.83---------144.00
(1LC) 1" 240 VAC 1 Ph.------100---------240------0.42--------576.00

MiniMc® 1" 120 VAC 1Ph.----300---------120------2.50---------48.00
MiniMc® 1" 240 VAC 1 Ph.---300---------240------1.25--------192.00

2" 120 VAC 1Ph.--------------800---------120------6.67---------18.00
2" 240 VAC 1 Ph.-------------800---------240------3.33---------72.00

4" 120 VAC 1Ph. ------------1200---------120----10.00---------12.00
4" 240 VAC 1 Ph.------------1200---------240-----5.00----------48.00

No. 28 120 VAC 1Ph.--------1750---------120----14.58----------8.23
No. 28 240 VAC 1 Ph.-------1750---------240-----7.29----------32.91
No. 28CU 240 VAC 1 Ph.----2270---------240----9.46-----------25.37

No. 250 240 VAC 1 Ph-------3000---------240---12.50----------19.20
No. 250CU 240 VAC 1 Ph----2270--------240----9.46-----------25.37

No.412 240 VAC 1 Ph--------3000--------240----12.50----------19.20

No. 618 All 240 VAC 1 Ph.---3000--------240----12.50----------19.20

T500 All 240 VAC 1 Ph.------4000--------240----16.67----------14.40

T500 Series III --------------5000---------230----21.74----------10.58

The RTD (Restistance Temperature Detector) should have a resistance of 108 ohms at room temperature.

The potentiometer should have a resistance of 9.5k-10.5k or 5k at max. Make sure that you set your meter on 20k.Make sure that you have one lead on the white wire and one on the red or black. Test the unit across the whole range of temperature settings. It should never read open.

Jumpers:
One on pins 2 and 3 if it is for a 240V unit.
One on pins 1 and 2 and one on pins 3 and 4 for a 120V unit.[/quote]

Pitbull 26 120 VAC 1Ph. ------------1200---------120----10.00---------12.00
Pitbull 26 240 VAC 1 Ph.------------1200---------240-----5.00----------48.00