sad empress, looking for suggestions, last straw on repairs

[mpcm]

I turned my enviro empress turned off one day last week, and hours later I came back to to find the exhaust fan still running, the stove cold, and the board/switches non-responsive. I was hoping it was just the exhaust temp switch (or another switch) that needed replacing, but after looking at the board and trying to bypass that switch... I'm worried I am back at another control board replacement as the starting point, before finding more issues.

But given my level of happiness with this stove over the years (picky on pellets, just bought df okies most years if I had the choice) and the number of parts I've replaced over the years (most of them at least once, some twice)... I'm likely to call this the end of my experience with it and move onto a harman before next winter.

I've attached pics of the board, note the red circles. I tried disconnecting and bypassing the exhaust switch, without luck/fan-stopping. Any suggestions on other things to try? Or does it seem I'm at new board...

 

[mpcm]

Compared this pic to the one from last board blow-out in 2015 and the chip burn area is roughly the same. Just an unrelated observation, nothing more. (Yes, I have a surge protector).

 

[Lake Girl]

Where does the connection go to (left side of board)? Is it possible that component is failing and fluctuating voltage causing the burn or is it more likely a bad component on the board (I know nothing about boards BTW)? Just wondering if an in-line fuse would save your board if there is a next time... Have you tried sending the board to a repair service? There are three or four mentioned in posts on the site.

 

[phil san]

I turned my enviro empress turned off one day last week, and hours later I came back to to find the exhaust fan still running, the stove cold, and the board/switches non-responsive. I was hoping it was just the exhaust temp switch (or another switch) that needed replacing, but after looking at the board and trying to bypass that switch... I'm worried I am back at another control board replacement as the starting point, before finding more issues.

But given my level of happiness with this stove over the years (picky on pellets, just bought df okies most years if I had the choice) and the number of parts I've replaced over the years (most of them at least once, some twice)... I'm likely to call this the end of my experience with it and move onto a harman before next winter.

I've attached pics of the board, note the red circles. I tried disconnecting and bypassing the exhaust switch, without luck/fan-stopping. Any suggestions on other things to try? Or does it seem I'm at new board...

View attachment 194953 View attachment 194954 View attachment 194955

Going on my 9th year with the Enviro FPI. It will be my "FINAL" year. Looks nice, served its purpose and i learned every detail and part of that stove.
Replaced both bowers several times, auger motor twice,all snap discs and even auger itself. Worse, the motherboard, which just goes and the triacs fail while ruining the printed circuit itself. Went from oem board 3 yrs, to upgraded board 5 yrs which just failed this fall. Replaced $450. and that board was DOA from factory. Got a replacement and so far so good, but get random flash lights and have found I have to adjust the air for each level regardless of an initial mag adjustment. Not going to worry if the thing works. Harmon Accentra 52i will install this summer.
Costs $, but I want dependability and easily serviced.

 

[Lake Girl]

Sounds like you found the cure for your problem... good luck with the Harman