I must have the Midas touch—everything I touch turns to…well…uh…er…eh…crap!
Tonight while cleaning a carburetor, dunked it in my HF 6 liter ultrasonic cleaner. Powers up, all LEDs work, adjustments work, but no action nor heat! Out of warranty now but hardly used so I’ll dig into it too! Geez…
Any ideas?
UPDATED: brought it in the house, plugged it in, and NOTHING now.

 

I'd start by finding the manual and hopefully a schematic diagram of the circuitry. Then you can start... 1st step, is it plugged in... 2nd step, is the fuse blown... etc.

 

I'd start by finding the manual and hopefully a schematic diagram of the circuitry. Then you can start... 1st step, is it plugged in... 2nd step, is the fuse blown... etc.

Thanks Sam…this HF stuff—manuals aren’t much and no such thing as a schematic that I can find. Vevor has a similar one; maybe I can find something maybe a little helpful.
Update is I brought it in the house, plugged it in, and now NOTHING. Checked fuse mounted in the AC plug—checks good. I found a little bit of water droplets around the bottom circuit board. Evidently the drain on the end of the tank let a little seep in while I was trying to unclog the drain. (This was done AFTER the problem first showed up—I drained the tank so I could look into it deeper. I’m guessing maybe something shorted on the main board….arrrrggggg.

 

Some pics inside:

 

Closer look and I see this discoloring around one end of some resistors, and then a view of the backside…possibly I see a little corrosion around some areas, but to me it looks tiny bit…

 

Next step is cleaning the water stains off the board with some alcohol or flux remover on a swab. Doesn't look too bad and no signs of arcing. Then start tracing the power and checking the rectifier diodes. In particular that little 4 pin rectifier chip marked DB20. Then the transistors. Caps and transformers look good but check them as well in circuit. Ultimately, is power going to the ultrasonic element... There is an oscillator feeding it @ ultrasonic freq. Will need a scope to check. Make? Model #? Is there a label?

 

Central Machinery Model 59430 6L Ultrasonic Cleaner sold by Harbor Freight.

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-liter-ultrasonic-parts-cleaner-59430.html

 

No schematic in manual but...

For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797

 

Next step is cleaning the water stains off the board with some alcohol or flux remover on a swab. Doesn't look too bad and no signs of arcing. Then start tracing the power and checking the rectifier diodes. In particular that little 4 pin rectifier chip marked DB20. Then the transistors. Caps and transformers look good but check them as well in circuit. Ultimately, is power going to the ultrasonic element... There is an oscillator feeding it @ ultrasonic freq. Will need a scope to check. Make? Model #? Is there a label?

Very good info and hopefully I can grasp all of it, and track it all down. I’d hate to have to spend 179 for a new one when I haven’t used this one much. But for sure, next time I buy something like this at HF, I’ll take the extended service plan.

 

I'd certainly call the number and ask for the schematic. Also (out of curiosity) ask how much they want for the power board and display board as listed on the manual's parts page. Did the lights on the display board even come on? If not, that points at the power board as the probable culprit. Anyway, start at the power and work though the circuit testing. Google and you can find several other "typical" ultrasonic cleaner schematics. And be very careful with the voltages.

 

I'd certainly call the number and ask for the schematic. Also (out of curiosity) ask how much they want for the power board and display board as listed on the manual's parts page. Did the lights on the display board even come on? If not, that points at the power board as the probable culprit. Anyway, start at the power and work though the circuit testing. Google and you can find several other "typical" ultrasonic cleaner schematics. And be very careful with the voltages.

Yes, first thing was it powered up, and all functions showed working, but fluid was not heated, and I didn’t see any normal action—and the usual noise was very low. I then drained the fluid and brought in the house to look deeper—plugged it up and then no power indicators or functions…
I’ll do your suggestions. Thanks much!

 

Never run an ultrasonic cleaner with no water in the tank. If you do, you will likely kill the transducer and the power supply.

 

Never run an ultrasonic cleaner with no water in the tank. If you do, you will likely kill the transducer and the power supply.

Yes, and at no time did I turn on power without any liquid.

 

SamR…
Called HF today, nice fellow, but doesn’t have any parts he could find available for it. Suggested look up Elma and McMasters for possible replacement boards, as they are similar.

 

Hi robismod,
Is the thermal fuse OK? It's strapped to the transformer/choke.
Good luck..........

 

Here is board better view, top and bottom.

 

Hi robismod,
Is the thermal fuse OK? It's strapped to the transformer/choke.
Good luck..........

Honestly, I’m pretty amateur at this so many times I have to research your terms and such….

 

Hard to tell from photos but I circled a few areas that may need attention. Looks like it could be a broken trace and some burnt spots from arcing. Anyway, take a closer look.

 

Hard to tell from photos but I circled a few areas that may need attention. Looks like it could be a broken trace and some burnt spots from arcing. Anyway, take a closer look.
View attachment 346741

Very much appreciated! I’m about crazy trying to look through videos…

 

Hi,
Earlier, I mentioned a thermal fuse, It's cable tied to a transformer. Two thick black cables with a plug on the end of it.
A simple check, unplug it and test for continuity . e.g. it should show a short circuit if it's good.
I appreciate all this stuff is blowing your mind. Anything you don't understand, just ask the forum