Interesting Osmolator issue

[LilRobb]

Hey Roger,

my osmolator worked flawlessly for over a year - all of a sudden it is not producing a whole lot of water pressure anymore so i replaced the pump.

Still very low out put - checked the tube for bends, but nothing.

So I finally measured the output of the 12V cable - producing a meager 3V, what could be the issue?

There is not enough juice to the pump to make it work properly.

The powersupply still delivers full (I believe 11V) power...

 

[rvitko]

The power supply is dying, it could be the end DC tip is corroded or the power supply may have gotten wet or it may just be dying. Send it in, as long as it didn't get wet, it will be replaced at no charge.

Tunze USA
305 Victor St
Austin, TX 78753

 

[LilRobb]

Thanks for the reply Roger,

I swapped the powersupply for my neighbor's one - still same result.
In fact the orange "pump" LED even dims when the pump should come on - seems it is shortening somewhere inside when the pump circuit closes.

 

[rvitko]

Sorry for the confusion, I was under the impression you measured the voltage at the power supply, but apparently you measured at the pump terminals. This would mean the PTC is shutting down, it is a sort of circuit breaker that cuts power to the pump in the event the pump is failing, it does this so the board has enough power to run its safety functions. The PTC heats up and seperates contact in even of a load over 1200mA. Possibilities include a corroded pump connector or one shorted by salt creep, wiring that wicked in water and is corroded and will need to be cut back to clean shiny wire, a pump that is dying or a 3+ year old osmolator with 800mA limit, which is very unlikely unless it was bought used. The osmolator a few years ago had a pump which used less power and 9V power supply so the mA load was less. It is also possible the PTC is failing and it can be replaced and an 800mA one can be upgraded to 1200mA if you send it in.

 

[LilRobb]

Thanks again,

sending PM