Fujitsu Heatpump Board Failure

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CokemonZ

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#250992 4-Jun-2019 12:13

So this weekend it finally got cold enough to start using our heatpumps.

One of them has flashing lights, so I got the guys that moved it to come and have a look.

He did his checks, and essentially said that the next step is that one of the boards likely needs to be replaced.

That's outside the work they do, and he was obviously uncomfortable with being pushed into figuring out which board was toast. Recommended getting in touch with Fuj Directly.

So Off to the Fuj website I go - where there are no contacts for anyone except installers....?

The heatpump is 9+ years old (was in the house when I bought it), so am outside warranty and it's been great, so am happy to pay for repair.

So do I just hit up a Fuj heatpump installer? Since it is an internal board issue I really want someone who does repairs - not just an installer who have a different (but still good) skillset.

The few websites I looked up didn't really talk about repairs, or when they did it was things like regassing.

I'm on Auckland North Shore - Birkenhead area - if anyone has a repair agent recommendation.

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#2251060 4-Jun-2019 12:24

If you don't have any other good leads, these guys https://phillipselectronics.co.nz/ in Penrose do excellent component-level repairs in my experience (ad I'm sure there has been at least one other endorsement on GeekZone), and I've seen them recommended before. Heat Pumps may be outside their comfort zone, but it can't hurt to ask.

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CokemonZ

1051 posts

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#2251073 4-Jun-2019 12:35

Thanks, if I have no luck I'll give them a call

pknz

102 posts

Master Geek

#2251360 4-Jun-2019 17:33

We had a bit of trouble getting out Fujitsu heat pump fixed also (flashing lights, needed board replacement on outside unit).

Took a couple of months before we had someone out to repair.

I've got the Fujitsu guys number who organized it if that helps flick me a PM.

Ours was still under warranty so we wanted to go through Fujitsu proper...

shortcircuit

86 posts

Master Geek

#2251443 4-Jun-2019 19:17

FPS Heatpumps and Airconditioning- North Shore Fujitsu installers. Excellent service over last 7 years since they installed my heat pump.

As a side note- I purchased an Australian Fujitsu model because in OZ they had trouble with creepy crawlies (ie cockroaches) that shorted the circuit boards. Oz models have extra coating on the boards as prevention... so far so good with mine and there's a few cockies around here. I understand that the NZ ones didn't have the coating (but may do now?), so it might be a reason the boards are failing.

CokemonZ

1051 posts

Uber Geek

#2251479 4-Jun-2019 19:39

I tried contacting Fuj direct via email - and while chatty, ended up referring me to an installer.

I have sent them an email as their voicemail box is full. Which does not really inspire confidence.

IfI don't hear back tomorrow I'll try that FPS Crowd - thanks.

@PKNZ - PM sent - thanks.

CokemonZ

1051 posts

Uber Geek

#2251481 4-Jun-2019 19:41

shortcircuit:

FPS Heatpumps and Airconditioning- North Shore Fujitsu installers. Excellent service over last 7 years since they installed my heat pump.

As a side note- I purchased an Australian Fujitsu model because in OZ they had trouble with creepy crawlies (ie cockroaches) that shorted the circuit boards. Oz models have extra coating on the boards as prevention... so far so good with mine and there's a few cockies around here. I understand that the NZ ones didn't have the coating (but may do now?), so it might be a reason the boards are failing.

Are they these guys? They don't seem to do Fujitsu anymore: http://fpssystems.co.nz/heat-pump-servicing-auckland/

timmmay

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#2251498 4-Jun-2019 19:45

I think 9 years is near the end of its useful life. Suggest you consider whether it's worth repairing or not.

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CokemonZ

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#2251506 4-Jun-2019 19:55

End of it's life you reckon?

My folks have one that's nearing 15 years and still goes fine.

For such a major appliance 9 years feels pretty short.

timmmay

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#2251511 4-Jun-2019 20:00

Just what I heard from a service guy. I have a Fujitsu that's 7 years old and going fine. The Daikin is maybe 10 years old. The installer said the Daikin probably has a couple of years left, maybe a bit more. They might work for another 10 years, who knows?! They're outside in all weather, made for it of course, but everything degrades.

Consumer says life expectancy of a heat pump is 10 - 15 years, but also notes that major issues like a broken circuit board might not be worth repairing if the unit is 7 or more years old.

Elmoz

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#2251591 4-Jun-2019 21:30

We had a board go in our Mitsubishi after 7-8 years. We tossed up replacing or repairing. We went with repair. Called the installer/repairer who diagnosed the fault and it cost us $888 to repair. Hope to get a few more years out of it - fingers crossed. Friends have heat pumps that are over 10 years old and still running with no problems. An installer will also do repairs.

CokemonZ

1051 posts

Uber Geek

#2251728 5-Jun-2019 08:07

Yeah, I have now spoken to two heatpump installers, one fuj only, one multi brand and it's a come out, diagnose the issue then quote for parts sort of deal.

Not super stoked - seems carrying parts is not a thing.

Additionally the first time they can come out is probably next Wednesday. This cold snap has them all pretty busy.

dolsen

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#2251730 5-Jun-2019 08:22

CokemonZ: Yeah, I have now spoken to two heatpump installers, one fuj only, one multi brand and it's a come out, diagnose the issue then quote for parts sort of deal.

Not super stoked - seems carrying parts is not a thing.

Additionally the first time they can come out is probably next Wednesday. This cold snap has them all pretty busy.

There would be a lot of parts to carry for all of the different heat pumps. I am not surprised that they don't carry spare boards "just in case". A board failing should not be a normal situation.

As for other people doing component level repairs, I am not sure how much luck you will have with that. Even if you knew exactly which board it was and were happy enough to remove it an take it to them to fix, they wouldn't have a test harness to be able to diagnose and fix it without being hooked up to the rest of the heat pump. Unless it was something physical and obvious (in which case - what caused that), having a board without what it goes into would not be easy / practical to fix when you are paying someone to do it. The only way you could get them to fix it would be for them to come and fix it in place. There are some exceptions to this (when the board includes the power supply and the fault is in that section, but, even then, it can be an issue - how is the device switched on for instance).

Elmoz

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#2251781 5-Jun-2019 09:33

CokemonZ: Yeah, I have now spoken to two heatpump installers, one fuj only, one multi brand and it's a come out, diagnose the issue then quote for parts sort of deal.

Not super stoked - seems carrying parts is not a thing.

Additionally the first time they can come out is probably next Wednesday. This cold snap has them all pretty busy.

Yeah we had the same issue in regards to obtaining the part - it took 3-4 weeks for them to get it. Same process for us - diagnose, quote then repair.

CokemonZ

1051 posts

Uber Geek

#2251791 5-Jun-2019 09:45

I guess you are right about carrying a lot of parts. Wishful thinking I guess.

Glad to hear it's not just me - that this is standard. Still, not ideal. I have one of them booked to come out.

wsnz

649 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2252375 5-Jun-2019 20:14

Our Panasonic developed an interesting fault. Without out any discernible pattern, when turned on the heat pump immediately runs normally, but pressing the temperature buttons (up or down) results in the unit shutting down.

Will try to get the board replaced.

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