Do you feel like you go through more motor control boards
than mix chambers? Have you allocated a large portion of your retirement
investment into Graco stock?
Dirty power is the major culprit leading to fried motor
control boards. Better defined, dirty power is any power source with voltage
fluctuations. Graco states that their Reactors will operate between 190 and 260
volts, though a more cautious contractor should consider the lower and upper
limits to be 200 and 250 volts. Minor voltage surges and shortages will cause
an E25 or E26 error code (high or low line voltage), though a major surge will
blow the in rush limiter which renders the motor control board useless.
Dirty power can come in the form of brown shore power, an
out of spec generator or even from using the incorrect compressor. Covering
this in reverse order:
- Picking the incorrect compressor could be
detrimental as an off the shelf unit draws 3 times its full amp load each and
every time the motor starts up. The proper compressor option would be a
continuous run unit, which does not shut the motor off and back on with
the air demand. Instead either unloading heads or modulators allow the motor to
remain in motion which eliminates excessive startup amp draw.
- Spray foam rigs need to correctly calculate amp
usage prior to picking a generator. A contractor should add up the full load
amperage draw of all equipment and then pick a generator that will handle this
load at 80% of prime power. I always like to prepare for the future too, so if
you have plans to expand to a dual proportioner rig, make sure you have the
extra amps available.
- Shore power can be a mixed bag and while it does
save on fuel, you run the risk of having to replace a board. Shore power itself
may not be culprit, but too many other contractors over loading temporary
panels can result in damaging fluctuations.
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