My osmolator pump died - cant install my replacement

[johns]

Boy, I have lots of questions today. When it rains it pours. I'm grateful that Tunze has Roger on the board here to answer questions.

My osmolator pump appears to have died this morning. I heard it making weezing noises while it was trying to top off and then just came to a halt. I unplugged it and plugged it back in. It tried again to go just a bit and then halted.

Luckily I have a replacement pump handy. Unfortunately I cant install it. A couple of the screws on that little 4-plug switch (sorry dont know the name of the thing - it's where you insert the blue and beige wires) have rusted and I could not get them loose. I tried WD40 before I left for work and we'll see if I can work them loose when I get home, but I figure I should prepare to get a replacement part.

How can I get this piece? Do you have any other recommendations in the meantime?

 

[rvitko]

I would cut the piece off at the black wires. Strip the ends and retin them with some solder. The piece is available at radio shack they call it a European Coupler. It comes in a bar of about 12 and you just break off two sections. If you will not be able to take care of the moisture problem use some Dielectric grease on the coupler- just load it up with the grease.

 

[johns]

I would cut the piece off at the black wires. Strip the ends and retin them with some solder.

Dont have a soldering gun (I know, I know, I'm not a great DIYer), but I can try to borrow one. Can I just twist the wires and insert them for the short term.

 

[rvitko]

Yes, but they tend to corrrode unless they are protected by solder.

 

[johns]

Found them at Radio Shack online. When I called to ask if the local place carried them they told they have 2 types.

One is rated up to 30 amps, maximum 600 volts and holds 10 - 22 guage wire

Another is rated up to 3 amps, maximum 400 volts and holds up to 16 guage wire.

Something tells me it doesn't matter which one I get. But I have to ask you to be sure.

 

[rvitko]

The wire is a smaller gauge so I would get the smaller 3amp unit.

 

[prugs]

Hey John,
I was looking for an osmolator for sale & came across your thread.

I have an extra soldering iron you can have. Being a mechanic for many years, I seem to collect more than I need. Like when someone I know, knows someone who passes away. They ask me if I want this kind of stuff.

You should get some heat shrink to go over the soldered splices. They sell it at Radio Shack also. Don't forget a small roll of flux core solder.

Or when you get the connectors just bring it over. I have all that stuff. It doesn't take long.

 

[johns]

Tom-

thats gracious of you. thanks. i'm sure i could use a soldering iron. i've have had to use one off and on with my other hobby, which involves stereo equipment, etc. but i just never got around to getting my own. i always seem to find someone who has one (my wife's uncle is a DIYer like you and has 2 of every tool/equipment known to man).

it's not that i am too cheap to buy one. the truth is i absolutely hate shopping for this sort of thing. like, a few months back I was at HD looking for some everyday supplies, and I decide all of a sudden that I maybe I want to buy a dremel. well, it takes me about an hour to finally decide that YES, i WILL buy one and to pick one out. then i have to start thinking about which pieces i want to go with it...im just hopelessly analyzing things.

anyway, i should finish the story about this osmolator pump. when i got home from work, i tried to work the screws loose, but they are absolutley NOT going to budge. but somehow, i keep pulling on the wires bit by bit and they slide out from underneath the screws intact. so i dont need to cut the wires and i dont need to solder them right now. i still need a new coupler which i know i can get at radio shack.

and the kicker is that the pump started working again now too. after i pried everything loose, i tried the previously dead pump on my other tank with the second osmolator and now it works. chances are it is on its last legs, but whatdaya know.

 

[prugs]

Thats good news.
The offer still stands if you want the soldering iron.
I wont be making it to any WRS meetings (Nov, Dec) soon. Have to work or will be out of town. I really enjoyed going to Evans (Oct) meeting.

 

[rvitko]

I have seen the cause of a "dead pump" be only the corrosion on the terminals.

 

[johns]

I have seen the cause of a "dead pump" be only the corrosion on the terminals. [/QUOTE]

Roger I was wondering myself last night. So I took the corroded coupler and the 'dead' pump, i inserted the 2 wires that could be inserted all the way and screwed them down. I squeezed the other 2 wires inside the coupler just so that they could make contact and taped them down. I put this pump back in the reservoir for my prop tank system and it worked fine. Maybe just needed some time to 'cool down'. I moved the newer pump with it's new coupler to the display tank.

When the pump shut down yesterday morning it had been pumping for about 3 or 4 minutes straight. Also, the pumping to the display tank generally needs more 'juice' It has to go through a kalk reactor and a further distance to the display just due to the placement of the reservoir. In fact, I remember switching that pump up to 12V at the AC plug for a little more power, because it seemed to me that the pump was having a little trouble. The prop tank , on the other hand, is a quick and short trip for the pump to the tank. So maybe it'll work fine there.

Still need to go get that new coupler. Thanks.