Lifespan of the sensor of the 3152 osmolator nano

[LeslieP]

I've been running my osmolator nano for about a year now and I think that the sensor has failed. I have it on a 12g nano at work. It seemed to be working well, would turn on when I walked into my office. We decided it was the vibrations that would get it going, although sometimes it would turn on while everything was still. A bit strange compared with my 3155 on my big tank but it worked.

I had to move the tank when I moved offices and it hasn't worked right since. It wouldn't come on, and if I managed to get it to turn on, it wouldn't turn off. I have cleaned and checked the sensor to make sure that it moves freely but that didn't help. If you think I need a new sensor, where can I get one?

Thank you.

 

[rvitko]

I am not so sure it is the sensor in the sense that it is broken and needs to be replaced. It is replaceable, part 3152.300. We generally expect the sensor to last about 3 years, it does have a 2 year warranty. What I think is happening is that the thin glass of this small tank is too thin to cancel the magnetic field of the magnet holder. The float is a magnetic switch, the black ring in it is a magnet and as it moves up and down it flips a switch in the post. If it get stuck to a magnetic field (usually you can see the float lean to or away from the magnet holder if this is the case) it won't work properly. I would add a 1/8" thick piece of rubber or acrylic between the outer magnet and the glass and see if that solves it and be sure no other magnets are near the float.

 

[LeslieP]

Thank you Roger - I will definitely give that a try. I bought this second hand from someone who never used it so I don't have the warranty.

 

[LeslieP]

Hi Roger, I put a piece of silicone mat between the magnet and the glass and all seems to be working well. Thank you very much!

 

[rvitko]

Thank you for the update.