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berkeleyjack · 10-23-2011, 07:37 PM

Hey guys,

I bought a Johnson Controls digital temperature controller from Northern Brewer about three months ago. Worked great when I got it, but suddenly stopped working in the last week or so.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/johnson-controls-a419-digital-temp-controller.html

It seems to power on fine, and it still accepts controls and registers the current temperature correctly, but for some reason it doesn't trigger the freezer to turn on to cool it down.

I went through the manual but can't seem to figure out what's wrong. Any ideas about error messages or other things I should check?

I don't want to have to send it back for a replacement if it's something I might be able to fix myself.

Thanks!

matt2778 · 10-23-2011, 07:54 PM

Are you sure it's not ur fridge? If the light is coming on and it's not getting cold it's not the controller.

day_trippr · 10-23-2011, 10:51 PM

Most common failure is the probe, but that controller does do a check on the probe - if it's OPEN it'll flash SF alternating with OP, if it's SHORTED it'll flash SF with SH.

The two things to try are to totally disconnect the incoming line power to do a full reset. Then reconnect the incoming line power, and connect a working 110v lamp to the output line, reprogram the unit, and see if you can get the lamp to light up. If it doesn't, it may be the output relay is toast, or your output wiring has come undone...

Cheers!

berkeleyjack · 10-23-2011, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the replies! I'll give the test with the lamp a shot.

I know it's not the freezer, just because the freezer comes on when I plug it directly in the outlet without the controller connected.

**runningweird** · 10-23-2011, 11:08 PM

sure its set to Heat or Cold? i did that last night. facepalm

berkeleyjack · 10-24-2011, 12:31 AM

Just tried the lamp test, and it didn't turn it on.

When I plugged it in it displayed "C03" or "CO3" then did the thing where it flashes "Asd" and the temperature, and then seemed to operate normally, but wouldn't turn on the lamp. Got the little snowflake and stuff so I assume it's set on cold.

I've gone over the PDF of the instructions and can't seem to find "C03" or "CO3" listed anywhere in the instructions... Found another discussion online that mentioned the same code, but they couldn't figure out what it was either.

Bum unit?

day_trippr · 10-24-2011, 12:53 AM

No clue what the CO3/C03 means. I believe the "ASD" flashing signifies the "anti short cycle delay" is set non-zero. You might actually try setting that to zero just to see if it changes the current behavior.

Otherwise...unless one of the function jumpers fell off its pins, or the output wire has come loose from the terminal, it seems like the controller needs to visit a repair center...

Cheers!

KCBigDog · 08-11-2012, 02:04 AM

Mine is doing the same thing today after working for a year. What was the verdict?

**parkerhd36** · 10-26-2012, 11:09 PM

anyone ever figure out what this means? i have one i bought over a year ago, but never used until yesterday. Its doing the same thing

**parkerhd36** · 10-26-2012, 11:18 PM

Ok, well. I finally got pissed off enough at this thing and hit it.
And it started working.
must have been a loose connection somewhere. Just start beating your Johnson (controller) when you have problems i guess is the moral here.