Mod Note: Split from https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/repair-thermoelectric-cooler.206347/#post-1992956

This is my first forum here, and I'm thankful I found you guys. I have an Emerson FR966T mini cooler. We were out of town and had a thunderstorm while we were gone. We came back (today) to our cooler "chirping" and a "PF" flashing on the display. I assume the PF=Power Failure. I have the board out now and ready to order an upgraded C8 (63v 47uf 6x12) & C10 for starters. I'm a "fixer" but not an electrical engineer. I searched the forums for "chirping" and found two that didn't really lead to anything. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks in advance for any support.

 

I don't know anything about your cooler, so bear that in mind.

First -- are you sure that the original board was damaged? It could be that it is chirping to let you know that there was a power failure so that you can be sure to check the contents of the cooler in case power was out so long that something went bad.

If you cycle power, does the cooler work properly? If so, then it was likely just a notification.

You might try contacting Emerson's Customer Service department and talking to them.

If not, then it's possible that something was damaged.

Why do you think that C8 and C10 need upgrading? I see C10 in the first picture, but the top is so blurry that I can't tell if the cap is damaged, so just has something on top of it. I can't tell where C8 is -- how about circling it in the picture to help us out?

If both caps were damaged, I doubt that it would be able to function sufficiently to chirp and display any kind of error message -- but stranger things have happened.

 

Thank you for the quick response. I was hoping the PF error was a common thing. I think something was damaged because the cooler only chirps and does not cool or have lights, fans, etc. Also, I did a couple of hours of research on it before posting here. I cycled the power by unplugging for over 5 mins and plugging back in, but it continues to chirp. I also checked my breakers and all were good. To be sure, I plugged another appliance into the outlet to see if the outlet worked properly, and it did.
I don't see any damage, bulging, or seepage from any of the capacitors, but I read a few articles in this forum that said replacing C8 would fix the FX-101 boards 99% of the time. Replacing C10 was the next best thing, but I do think contacting Emerson is a great idea. I hope this information helps.

BTW- When I searched "chirping" and found a thread that didn't lead anywhere, I saw that a moderator had created a new thread from it. When I went to that thread, I thought it was a thread about chirping, so I posted a reply. I never meant to "highjack" another thread.

 

You've probably noticed that the parts themselves are cheap compared to the shipping expense. I'd be tempted to grab extra C8 as well as replacements for some of the other caps. All that will cost you next to nothing whether you end up using them or not.

Consider adding the power transistors to your order. They can fail.

 

You've probably noticed that the parts themselves are cheap compared to the shipping expense. I'd be tempted to grab extra C8 as well as replacements for some of the other caps. All that will cost you next to nothing whether you end up using them or not.

Consider adding the power transistors to your order. They can fail.

Thank you! Are you able to see the number for the power transistors in my photos? Or do you happen to have specs on them? I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what a power transistor looks like. :O

 

They’re the black things attached to the heat sinks.

 

You might find your board similar to this circuit.

 

So it looks like T6, T7, and DD1. I'll do some more research to see if I can find any specs for those. Thank you!

 

Be sure to be doing some sanity checks along the way.

How much would it cost to just get a new controller board? How much would it cost to just get a new cooler (there's always the possibility that something more fundamental was damaged that can't be fixed, which you might not find out until you've already spend a bunch of time and money trying to fix and/or replace the controller).

How much time are you willing to devote to this? Put a dollar value on each hour of your time. While somewhat arbitrary, some things to consider might be whether you don't care how much it costs to fix, you want the satisfaction of fixing it and learning stuff in the process. If that's the case, each hour of your time isn't worth much (because you're getting something you value beyond a working wine cooler in return). But if you are only trying to avoid the expense involved in buying a new controller or, worse, getting a whole new cooler, then you really need to ask how much is each hour of your time worth. How many extra hours of work would it take in order to make enough money to take the quick route and be done with it? How much would you be willing to pay someone else to work on it so that you could spend that time with your family or doing something else that you would rather be doing than fixing your cooler? Another way of coming at it would be to assume that some stranger came to you with this problem and offered to pay you to fix it -- how much would they have to offer you before you would take the job.

 

Here's what I found so far. The T6 & T7 are 13005-2, and I believe the DD1 is the same, but not entirely sure yet.
13005-2 Transistors on Amazon

 

Be sure to be doing some sanity checks along the way.

How much would it cost to just get a new controller board? How much would it cost to just get a new cooler (there's always the possibility that something more fundamental was damaged that can't be fixed, which you might not find out until you've already spend a bunch of time and money trying to fix and/or replace the controller).

How much time are you willing to devote to this? Put a dollar value on each hour of your time. While somewhat arbitrary, some things to consider might be whether you don't care how much it costs to fix, you want the satisfaction of fixing it and learning stuff in the process. If that's the case, each hour of your time isn't worth much (because you're getting something you value beyond a working wine cooler in return). But if you are only trying to avoid the expense involved in buying a new controller or, worse, getting a whole new cooler, then you really need to ask how much is each hour of your time worth. How many extra hours of work would it take in order to make enough money to take the quick route and be done with it? How much would you be willing to pay someone else to work on it so that you could spend that time with your family or doing something else that you would rather be doing than fixing your cooler? Another way of coming at it would be to assume that some stranger came to you with this problem and offered to pay you to fix it -- how much would they have to offer you before you would take the job.

Very sound advice! I would like to fix it for under $20 to hopefully get it up and running again. We don't really need it, but I enjoy learning as I go. Ideally, I will learn AND fix it! lol If after $20 it still doesn't run, we'll give it a proper burial...or I will become obsessed....who knows really? lol

 

Well, the C10 and improved C8 came this afternoon. I swapped them out and re-installed the board. She's running smooth and quiet again. Thanks for everyone's help. I wouldn't have been able to fix it without you guys.

 

Well, the C10 and improved C8 came this afternoon. I swapped them out and re-installed the board. She's running smooth and quiet again. Thanks for everyone's help. I wouldn't have been able to fix it without you guys.

Glad to hear it! Good job. I wonder which one was the actual problem, not that it really matters.

 

Glad to hear it! Good job. I wonder which one was the actual problem, not that it really matters.

I plan to test them later and will let everyone know.

 

After testing the caps, looks like C8 was the culprit. Thanks guys!