I have a wine enthusiast wine cooler with two boards. Both Fx 101 (10.5V).
One is bad- Wine enthusiast sent me a replacement board Fx 101 B. Does anyone know if I can use the 101B? The B board has no NTCI connector and no P1 and P2 prongs (the fx101 has two prongs for connections)
I'm not an engineer but a tinkerer... looking for guidance.. ive seen posts saying to use the fx102 board as a replacement for the Fx101.. attached is pic of new fx 101B ..thanks

 

Welcome to AAC!

There are two threads here on All About Circuits that cover wine cooler control boards.
Don't post on either thread. Leave your inquiries here to deal with your specific questions.
I will comment on your post after I have had a chance to review it.

https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/how-to-repair-a-thermoelectric-wine-cooler.176296/
https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/success-stories-repair-thermoelectric-cooler.101748/

 

On your bad board, the first attempt at fixing it is to replace capacitor C8 with 47 μF 25V.
You can install one with a higher voltage if the physical size fits.

The new FX101B board has connections to NTC1, P1 and P2. If you still want to use this board you either have to install the connectors or work around it by directly soldering wires between the board and the connector (not an ideal solution).

FX102 board should work.

Try fixing the bad board first. It should cost you less than $1.

 

On your bad board, the first attempt at fixing it is to replace capacitor C8 with 47 μF 25V.
You can install one with a higher voltage if the physical size fits.

The new FX101B board has connections to NTC1, P1 and P2. If you still want to use this board you either have to install the connectors or work around it by directly soldering wires between the board an the connector (not an ideal solution).

FX102 board should work.

Try fixing the bad board first. It should cost you less than $1.

Thx Mr Chips- one question.. I have no display. Do you think the PCB board may be bad? (There are two Fx 101 boards and one PCB board).

 

Thx Mr Chips- one question.. I have no display. Do you think the PCB board may be bad? (There are two Fx 101 boards and one PCB board).

Have you tried interchanging the two boards?
A bad C8 capacitor would cause no display. I would replace C8 as a first step.

 

Have you tried interchanging the two boards?
A bad C8 capacitor would cause no display. I would replace C8 as a first step.

Mr Chips- I just swapped out the boards. I've established that the top board is indeed bad.
When I swapped out the top fan wiring to the lower (working board), the top fan worked fine. The red LED and green LED lit immediately. The fan spun and sounded like it was cooling. I even got the front to display.
Interestingly, I noticed the bottom board (working board) kicks on the fan when powered, but the red and green LED are only lit simultaneously for a second. Then only the red LED stays lit. Not sure what that means. Perhaps you know.
I'm going to replace the C8 capacitor on top non working board this week.

 

It would help if you posted the model number of the Wine Enthusiast wine cooler.
Also a drawing of the situation might help.
All I know is that you have:

Top controller, fan, green and red LEDs, display board.
Bottom unit controller.

The top controller is bad.
When the good controller is swapped in, fan, LEDs, display board all work.

That all makes sense, because you need a good controller to power the fan, LEDs, and display board.

(Disclosure: I am not a wine cooler repair person. I have never seen, owned, or repaired one. I am just a general repair person.)

 

It would help if you posted the model number of the Wine Enthusiast wine cooler.
Also a drawing of the situation might help.
All I know is that you have:

Top controller, fan, green and red LEDs, display board.
Bottom unit controller.

The top controller is bad.
When the good controller is swapped in, fan, LEDs, display board all work.

That all makes sense, because you need a good controller to power the fan, LEDs, and display board.

(Disclosure: I am not a wine cooler repair person. I have never seen, owned, or repaired one. I am just a general repair person.)

You've been extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Cooler is Wine Enthusiast model # 272 03 18 (18 two temp touch screen refrigerator)
I've attached a pic of the inside of unit

 

You've been extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Cooler is Wine Enthusiast model # 272 03 18 (18 two temp touch screen refrigerator)
I've attached a pic of the inside of unitView attachment 343623

Wrong picture above..correct pic below

 

I understand now what you meant by red and green LEDs.
These are power indicators on each power controller.
The red LED should come on and stay solid to indicate that the power supply is working.
The green LED should come on when the cooler is running in cooling mode.

I will put my bets on a bad C8, 47 μF 25V capacitor. Replace it with one with higher voltage rating if you can, 35V, 50V, 63V.

 

I understand now what you meant by red and green LEDs.
These are power indicators on each power controller.
The red LED should come on and stay solid to indicate that the power supply is working.
The green LED should come on when the cooler is running in cooling mode.

I will put my bets on a bad C8, 47 μF 25V capacitor. Replace it with one with higher voltage rating if you can, 35V, 50V, 63V.

Thanks again Mr Chips- I'm going to get the 47 uf 63V. I'll get the C8 changed out on both boards to avoid future complications on good board. I'm assuming the 63V is same dimensions?

 

Hello,

I would also recomend to clean the fans and the heatsinks.

Bertus

 

Hello,

I would also recomend to clean the fans and the heatsinks.

Bertus

Yes sir....already done !

 

Thanks again Mr Chips- I'm going to get the 47 uf 63V. I'll get the C8 changed out on both boards to avoid future complications on good board. I'm assuming the 63V is same dimensions?

No. You have to check the dimensions.

 

No. You have to check the dimensions.

Hello Mr Chips..received my new 47uf 50 capacitors. I swapped the both old 47uf 25v out for the 50v... both fans running full blast... green and red LEDs lit on both boards... fridge is cooling.
However after about 5 or so mins the lower boatd fan begins to turn slower and the green LED goes out (only the red LED remains lit)... wondering if you have any idea why this may be?
Thx

 

You have two boards, one was working and the other was not.
Which board is giving you trouble now?

The fan runs slower and the green LED goes out. Is that section of the wine cooler maintaining the set cold temperature?

 

You have two boards, one was working and the other was not.
Which board is giving you trouble now?

The fan runs slower and the green LED goes out. Is that section of the wine cooler maintaining the set cold temperature?

Originally top board did not work.. replaced CAP, working fine.
Bottom board was working the same way as it is now- fan starts off full speed but after a few mins, it slows down and green LED goes out.. (btw I changed that CAPACITOR as well. It proved to be weakened and prob would have failed soon)...
Top section (Originally wasn't working) is cooling to temp.
Bottom sec is not cooling to temp and digital display is blinking intermittently

 

Good day Mr Chips- as mentioned I changed capacitor on lower board. Fan works but not cooling below 64°F.
Sooo... I swapped out the Fx101 with the new capacitor with the brand new Fx101B board (I added the NTC1 connector and P1, P2 prongs).
Same result..bottom still only cools to 64° F.
Top board and Fan (which originally was dead but changed to 37v capacitor) cools to 54°F.
Could it be the cooling kit? (Fan,and cooling fins)

 

Measure the voltage going to the TEC peltier element.
If you have sufficient voltage? (I don't know what voltage) then the TEC is bad.

 

Measure the voltage going to the TEC peltier element.
If you have sufficient voltage? (I don't know what voltage) then the TEC is bad.

Will do