Tunze 3152 Failure - Melting/Catching Fire Haz

AwwNuts · 08/28/2018, 10:19 AM

In need of your help once again. This is the second unit that failed on me and luckily I was home to catch this. After noticing what seemed to smell like burning plastic, I immediately checked around the aquarium and discovered the Tunze 3152 box heating up, shell melting and leaving a strong order of melting plastic. Looks like i caught the unit failing right on time. I immediately disconnected the unit and moved it to a safe area just in case it was going to continue to melt or catch fire. This unit was a replacement that was sent to me through the assistance of this forum back in 2015-2016.

Requesting help once again. I've attached pictures for your review.

rvitko · 08/28/2018, 10:31 AM

Their would not be a risk of fire as we use flame retardant plastics, they can melt and smolder but actually burning is not probable, what has likely happened is the pump failed and caused a transistor to overheat and burn. The warranty has passed as it was 2 years from original purchase, but I can discount a new complete unit and that would be the best course. The controller had substantial updates in late 2016 and now has a microprocessor safety so this transistor failure is not possible anymore. Please PM me.

AwwNuts · 08/28/2018, 11:22 AM

Is there a way that you can check on your end and see when you sent me this unit. I can't remember if it was late 2015 or in 2016.

AwwNuts · 08/28/2018, 11:29 AM

After a search on my end, it looks like you sent me this replacement in October of 2015. This would still make it past it's two year.

08/28/2018, 10:31 AM	#2
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Their would not be a risk of fire as we use flame retardant plastics, they can melt and smolder but actually burning is not probable, what has likely happened is the pump failed and caused a transistor to overheat and burn. The warranty has passed as it was 2 years from original purchase, but I can discount a new complete unit and that would be the best course. The controller had substantial updates in late 2016 and now has a microprocessor safety so this transistor failure is not possible anymore. Please PM me. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

08/28/2018, 11:22 AM	#3
AwwNuts Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ABQ, NM Posts: 310	Is there a way that you can check on your end and see when you sent me this unit. I can't remember if it was late 2015 or in 2016. __________________ - You just can't only have one REEF Tank lol. Current Tank Info: 125 gal Mixed Reef & 100 Gal Reef setup

08/28/2018, 11:29 AM	#4
AwwNuts Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ABQ, NM Posts: 310	After a search on my end, it looks like you sent me this replacement in October of 2015. This would still make it past it's two year. __________________ - You just can't only have one REEF Tank lol. Current Tank Info: 125 gal Mixed Reef & 100 Gal Reef setup